On one hand, it’s a celebration. On the other, it’s an event charged with intense competition. Beneath it all lies the roaring support of millions of gamers around the globe, each rooting for their favorite titles across a wide array of categories. This is the environment that defines The Game Awards each year: always exciting, and at times, controversial. Such was the case with the supposed indie game that was part of the conversation in 2023: Dave the Diver.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, the controversy was sparked when Dave the Diver was nominated for Best Indie Game at The Game Awards 2023. While the game ultimately did not win, the nomination alone drew significant criticism.
The primary point of contention stemmed from the fact that its developer, Mintrocket, is a subsidiary of major South Korean publisher Nexon — a corporation with ample financial backing. Many argued that this disqualified Dave the Diver from being considered an independent title in the first place. However, some defended the nomination, pointing to the game’s pixel art style and unique gameplay as aligning with traditional indie aesthetics.
How Mintrocket Views Dave the Diver
Two years after the debate, Mintrocket has finally addressed the issue. As reported by Automaton, in a recent interview with Japanese outlet 4Gamer, Mintrocket CEO Jaeho Hwang openly admitted that they are not an indie studio. He explained that the label likely stemmed from the fact that Dave the Diver was developed by a small team, using a creative approach to both gameplay and art direction, features typically associated with indie games.
Interestingly, Hwang also clarified that the game’s inclusion in the Best Indie Game category was not their decision. According to him, neither Mintrocket nor Nexon submitted the game for that particular category. The nomination was made solely by The Game Awards’ jury, which is composed of approximately 100 gaming media outlets from around the world.
This controversy previously prompted a response from The Game Awards producer Geoff Keighley, who emphasised the autonomy of the jury in defining what qualifies as an indie game. Keighley argued that indie can carry different meanings for different people and that the Awards rely on the collective judgment of the jury to interpret that definition.
In the end, Mintrocket has made it clear: they have never claimed to be an indie developer, despite the perception that surrounded Dave the Diver during its award-season run.
