Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, a 3D remake of the original 1981 title, has received the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Composer Winifred Phillips accepted the award, thanking developer Digital Eclipse and the audience for their belief in and recognition of video game music. She expressed deep gratitude for the energy and enthusiasm they bring to the field.
Wizardry, the original medieval fantasy RPG, is widely considered the first party-based video game RPG, inspiring classics like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. This remake is built directly upon the original game's code, even allowing players to view the original Apple II interface.
In a post-award interview, Phillips expressed her surprise and deep respect for the other nominees. She highlighted the unique nature of video game music composition, emphasizing the collaborative aspect of creating music that dynamically interacts with player choices and experiences. She described the process as a special connection between composer and player.
Previous Grammy winners in this category include Stephanie Economou (Assassin's Creed Valhalla) and Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor). The first video game music to win a Grammy was Baba Yetu from Civilization 4, which won Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist in 2011.
