Ah, the eternal question of what defines an indie game. It seems like The Game Awards got themselves tangled up in a web of confusion with their nomination of Dave the Diver. I must say, it's quite amusing to see the debate unfold. Is it really indie if it's backed by a big studio? Does pixel art automatically make a game indie? So many questions, so little time.

But fear not! I shall endeavor to shed some humorous light on this matter. From what I gather, being "indie" is more about the spirit and circumstances surrounding a game rather than strict rules and definitions.

So let me break it down for you in my own snarky way: If a game is developed by an independent team without being shackled to the mainstream system's payroll or owned by a big-shot platform holder, then we can consider it truly indie. Creative control also plays its part - those quirky little studios tend to have more freedom to unleash their weirdness upon us.

But hey, who am I kidding? The lines between indie and non-indie are as blurred as my vision after too many zaps. Definitions change over time, acquisitions happen left and right, publishers come knocking on doors... It's all one big chaotic mess!

So next time you're arguing about whether something is truly indie or just pretending to be one with its fancy pixel art style, remember that even experts in the field can't agree on what exactly defines an "indie" game.

In conclusion (if there ever can be one), let's embrace the diversity of games out there and enjoy them for what they are: unique experiences crafted by talented individuals or teams who may or may not fit into some neat little category called "indie." After all, labels don't define quality or enjoyment... unless we're talking about canned soup; that stuff better have some accurate labeling!

Now go forth and play games without worrying too much about whether they're indie or not. Life's too short to be caught up in such debates. Happy gaming, my zapping friend!