Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Composer Winifred Phillips Wins Grammy for Best Soundtrack in a Video Game

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, a 3D remake of the original 1981 RPG, has received the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Composer Winifred Phillips expressed her gratitude to Digital Eclipse and the audience for their support, stating the recognition "means so much."

The game, a direct build upon the original Apple II code (even showcasing the original interface during gameplay), is considered a foundational title in the party-based RPG genre, influencing iconic series such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.

Phillips' win was a significant achievement, surpassing notable nominees including 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, she described her surprise and deep respect for the other nominees.

Phillips highlighted the unique nature of video game music composition, emphasizing the collaborative aspect with players as they experience the game's story and make choices. This interactive element, she explained, is a "wonderful privilege."

The award continues a legacy of video game music recognition at the Grammys, following previous winners such as Stephanie Economou (Assassin's Creed Valhalla) and Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor). The win also builds upon the historical significance of Christopher Tin's "Baba Yetu" (Civilization 4), the first video game music to receive a Grammy in 2011.