In 2023, Dave the Diver emerged as a popular game despite its association with major publisher Nexon, which sparked debate over its nomination for the Best Indie award at the Game Awards. This nomination raised questions about its indie status, as the game was developed by a small team at Mintrocket. During the deliberation, Jaeho Hwang, the director, pointed out that much of the confusion stemmed from the game’s unique art style and gameplay mechanics.

“I wonder if people mistook us for an indie studio just because we’re developing games as a small team, or just because our art styles and game systems tend to be unique.”

Hwang explained that they never sought the nomination and emphasized that the responsibility ultimately lies with the Game Awards jury, which comprises various gaming outlets, including PC Gamer.

Despite the controversy, the award was ultimately claimed by Sea of Stars, a title that genuinely falls under the indie category. As time passes, the discussion continues, underscoring the complexities involving indie game classification in the gaming industry.