Grammy Winner for Best Video Game Soundtrack Announced

by

Summary

  • Winifred Phillips won the Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media award at the 67th Grammy Awards.
  • Phillips snagged the award for her work on the Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remake.
  • Other nominated soundtracks included Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Star Wars Outlaws.

At the 67th Grammy Awards ceremony, Winifred Phillips won the Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Interactive Media category for her work on “Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.” Originally released in 1981 as a pioneering medieval fantasy RPG, this game served as the foundation for popular series like “Final Fantasy” and “Dragon Quest.” The updated version remains loyal to its roots, offering players the option to experience the original Apple II interface while they play.

2023 saw the debut presentation of the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. The first winner was Stephanie Economou for Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, with Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab taking the prize last year for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Interestingly, Bear McCreary, renowned for his work on the God of War series, has been nominated every year since the category’s inception but hasn’t managed to secure a victory yet.

The soundtrack for “Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord” shone brightly among a tough group of competitors, surpassing “Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora” by Pinar Toprak, “God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla” by Bear McCreary, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” by John Paesano, and “Star Wars Outlaws” by Wilbert Roget II. This was the third time the Grammy category for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media had been awarded, as it was introduced in 2023. In her acceptance speech for this award, Phillips thanked Digital Eclipse, the developers of the 3D remake of the 1981 RPG classic. She also praised the growing acknowledgment of video game music, stating, “Thank you for appreciating music from games and giving it significance. It truly means a lot.

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Remake Honored at the Grammy’s

After the event concluded, Phillips expressed her feelings as being overpowered by winning Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games. She admitted that she hadn’t anticipated it at all, stating “I was truly taken aback.” She added, “The competition in this category was fierce this year, with so much talent represented among the nominees. To be acknowledged is simply a career milestone for me. It really is exceptional.” Furthermore, she discussed the distinctive challenges of composing music for video games, highlighting their interactive aspect. “We’re crafting music that resonates with people as they navigate their own experiences, make choices, and become part of an epic tale,” she said. “It feels like a partnership with the players. You get to know them, and they get to know you. It’s a truly unique experience.

Phillips boasts a distinguished career in creating music for video games, having contributed to titles such as “God of War”, “LittleBigPlanet 2” and its sequel, “Sackboy: A Big Adventure”, “Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation”, among others. Throughout her professional journey, she has garnered numerous accolades, including a nomination for Best Original Soundtrack Album at The Game Audio Network Guild in 2021. However, it was the score for “Wizardry” that earned her the first Grammy award of her career. This triumph solidifies Phillips as a pioneer in video game music, and her Grammy win points towards an exhilarating future for the increasing acknowledgement of video game soundtracks in mainstream awards ceremonies.

Read More

2025-02-03 19:44