Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord – A Grammy Winning Video Game?

While Beyonce was, once again, racking up accolades at the Grammy Awards, another standout winner emerged in the world of video games. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord claimed the coveted title of Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media at the prestigious event.

Originally debuting in 1981, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord revolutionized role-playing games, introducing deep Dungeons & Dragons-style mechanics to the Apple II. Over the decades, the game was ported to numerous platforms and continued to inspire the RPG genre. In 2023, Digital Eclipse honoured its legacy with a full 3D remake, modernizing its wireframe visuals and adding a brand-new orchestral soundtrack.

Since the original game lacked music, composer Winifred Phillips (known for her work on God of War and Borderlands) was tasked with crafting an entirely new score for the remake. The result? A critically acclaimed soundtrack that now holds a Grammy. Fans eager to experience Phillips’ award-winning work can find the full album on Bandcamp.

Visibly thrilled upon receiving her award, Phillips shared her excitement in an interview: “It’s like a bright light just exploded in my head. We do a very unique thing. We’re creating music that needs to accompany people who are having an experience, making choices, having adventures, and living a grand story. It’s such a wonderful privilege because you feel like you’re collaborating with the players.”

Phillips faced stiff competition from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Pinar Toprak (Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora), Bear McCreary (God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla), John Paesano (Marvel’s Spider-Man 2), and Wilbert Roget II (Star Wars Outlaws). Previous winners in this category include Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Stephanie Economou for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok.

The Grammy Awards have a history of overlooking video game music, only officially recognizing it with a dedicated category in 2023. Before that, standout moments included Christopher Tin’s Baba Yetu (Civilization IV), which won Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) in 2011, and Austin Wintory’s score for Journey, which was nominated for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media in 2013.

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remains a landmark in RPG history. Its remake stays true to the original, even allowing players to toggle between the updated visuals and the Apple II interface. The game’s influence can still be seen today in beloved franchises like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.

As Phillips accepted her Grammy, she expressed gratitude to Digital Eclipse and the gaming community: “Thank you for believing in music for games, recognizing it, and bringing enthusiasm and energy into what we do. It means so much.”

With this win, Wizardry not only celebrates its past but solidifies its place in gaming’s ever-evolving future.

Tell us your thoughts by by heading over to our Instagram!