Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, a 3D remake of the seminal 1981 RPG, has been awarded the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Composer Winifred Phillips accepted the prestigious award, expressing gratitude to Digital Eclipse and the audience for their belief in and recognition of video game music. She highlighted the unique collaborative nature of composing for interactive experiences, emphasizing the connection between the music and the player's journey.
Phillips' victory was a significant achievement, surpassing nominations from prominent composers such as Wilbert Roget, II (Star Wars Outlaws), John Paesano (Marvel's Spider-Man 2), Bear McCreary (God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla), and Pinar Toprak (Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora). In a post-Grammy interview, Phillips described her win as a career highlight, expressing humility and respect for the other nominees. She underscored the distinctive challenge and reward of composing music that dynamically adapts to player choices and actions within the game's narrative.
The award continues a legacy of video game music recognition at the Grammys, following previous winners like Stephanie Economou (Assassin's Creed Valhalla) and Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor). This win builds upon the groundbreaking success of Christopher Tin's "Baba Yetu" (Civilization 4), the first video game music to win a Grammy in 2011. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord's win further solidifies the growing appreciation for the artistry and complexity of video game soundtracks.
