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 choices and adventures.
Phillips' win is a significant achievement, surpassing strong competition from notable 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-award interview, Phillips expressed her surprise and deep respect for the other nominees, calling the recognition a career highlight.
The award continues a legacy of video game music recognition at the Grammys, following previous wins by Stephanie Economou (Assassin's Creed Valhalla) and Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor). The groundbreaking win for Christopher Tin's "Baba Yetu" (Civilization 4) in 2011 paved the way for this continued acknowledgement of the artistry within video game soundtracks. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord's win underscores the growing appreciation for the sophisticated musical scores accompanying modern interactive entertainment.
