Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Wins Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack

At the 67th Grammy Awards, the enchanting soundtrack of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord clinched the prestigious title of Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Composer Winifred Phillips graciously accepted the award, expressing heartfelt gratitude to developer Digital Eclipse and the audience. "Thank you for believing in music for games and recognizing it, and for breathing life and enthusiasm and energy into what we do. It means so much," Phillips remarked during her acceptance speech.

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a 3D remake of the iconic first game in the Wizardry series, which originally debuted in 1981. Renowned as the first party-based video game RPG, the original Wizardry set the stage for future classics such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The remake stays true to its roots by being built directly on the original game's code, allowing players to toggle and view the classic Apple II interface during gameplay.

Phillips triumphed over formidable contenders, including Wilbert Roget, II for Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws, John Paesano for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Bear McCreary for God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla, and Pinar Toprak for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. In a subsequent interview, Phillips shared her astonishment and humility, stating, "I really didn’t expect it. The category was populated with so much brilliance this year, and I have so much deep respect for the other nominees in this category. So to have been recognized is just a highlight of my career. It truly is."

Reflecting on the unique nature of video game music, Phillips emphasized the collaborative experience it offers. "We’re creating music that needs to accompany people who are having an experience and who are making choices, and having adventures and living a grand story, and we’re creating the music for that story. It’s such a wonderful privilege because you feel like you’re collaborating with the players. Like you know them and they know you. It’s really very special," she noted.

Previous recipients of this esteemed award include Stephanie Economou for Ubisoft’s Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab for Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The first video game composition to win a Grammy in any category was "Baba Yetu," arranged by Christopher Tin for Firaxis’ Civilization 4, which took home Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011.