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 has achieved a monumental milestone, winning the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Composer Winifred Phillips, in her acceptance speech, expressed heartfelt gratitude to developer Digital Eclipse and the audience for their belief in and recognition of video game music, emphasizing the passion and energy it inspires. This win is a significant testament to the artistry and dedication within the gaming music community.

This award-winning score accompanies the 3D remake of the original *Wizardry* game, a 1981 medieval fantasy RPG widely considered the first party-based video game RPG. Its influence is undeniable, inspiring iconic titles like *Final Fantasy* and *Dragon Quest*. Notably, *Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord* is built directly upon the original game's code, even allowing players to view the original Apple II interface.

Phillips' triumph is even more remarkable considering the esteemed competition, including nominees like 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 astonishment at the win, acknowledging the exceptional quality of 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 experiences and choices, fostering a unique connection between composer and player.

Phillips joins a prestigious list of previous winners, including Stephanie Economou (Assassin's Creed Valhalla) and Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab (Star Wars Jedi: Survivor). Her win further solidifies the growing recognition and appreciation for video game music, building upon the legacy of Christopher Tin's "Baba Yetu" (Civilization IV), the first video game music to win a Grammy in 2011.