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 title, 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 adaptation built upon the original's code, even allows players to view the original Apple II interface. Its significance lies in its historical importance as the first party-based RPG, influencing iconic titles like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest.

In a post-ceremony interview, Phillips described her surprise and honor, emphasizing the exceptional talent of the other nominees. She highlighted the unique nature of video game music composition, describing it as a collaborative process where music dynamically interacts with player choices and experiences.

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