The Game Awards 2023: Dave the Diver Controversy Explained

The Game Awards nominations have been unveiled, sparking discussions among fans eager to predict the winners. While some celebrate their favorites, a notable issue has arisen—Dave the Diver's inclusion in the Best Independent Game Category. Let's delve into the reasons behind this controversy.

Why It's Not an Indie Game:

Dave the Diver is a delightful pixelated game, blending elements of management simulation, quest-solving, action-adventure, and role-playing. However, keen-eyed Redditors have rightly observed that Dave the Diver is both developed and published by Mintrocket, a subsidiary of Nexon, a colossal South Korean company valued at 18 billion dollars. This brings into question the indie status of Dave the Diver, given its association with such a major player in the gaming industry.

Ironically, even on its Wikipedia page, a quote from Taehwan Kim, Vice President of Nexon America, states, "Dave the Diver may look like an indie, but it's not necessarily the case." The question naturally arises: If the Vice President himself acknowledges that the game is not indie, why has it received a nomination in that category? Is this approach fair to other studios competing for the same honor?

It's crucial to note that independence in the gaming industry isn't defined by size or financial scale. Large indie studios, such as Larian Studios and Supergiant Games, exist. This raises the overarching issue of standards for indie games.

The Issue at Hand:

This situation prompts us to consider the standards for labeling games as indie. As some Redditors point out, if a game can be deemed indie with the backing of a billion-dollar studio, what prevents indie studios from labeling their games as AAA?

While it's worth acknowledging that in this context, "indie" might mean "independently published," fans remain disappointed. The bottom line is that Dave the Diver is not an independently published game, having the backing of MINTROCKET and Nexon. As of now, there has been no official commentary on this matter, leaving the discussion primarily on Reddit.

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