In a thrilling victory at the Grammy Awards, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord secured the prize for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. Composed by the acclaimed Winifred Phillips, the game's music delivers a grand and immersive experience, fittingly echoing the fantasy adventures of classic 1980s pulp fiction. The score’s triumph is particularly impressive given the stiff competition, as it outshined major titles like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Star Wars Outlaws.

For longtime gamers, Wizardry is more than just a game with a stellar soundtrack—it’s a legendary franchise that helped define the RPG genre. Originally released in 1981, Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord introduced groundbreaking mechanics such as party-based gameplay and deep dungeon crawling, paving the way for countless successors. Now, decades later, the series has once again made history, this time in the realm of video game music.

Phillips, who has contributed to numerous other games—including LittleBigPlanet 2 and 3 and Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation—has long been celebrated for her talent. However, this Grammy win marks a significant milestone in her career, finally earning her one of the industry’s highest honors.

The game itself recently experienced a revival thanks to Digital Eclipse, which launched a full 3D remake in May 2024. This updated version stays true to the spirit of the original while introducing modern quality-of-life enhancements that make it more accessible to today’s players. Not only does it allow newcomers to experience Wizardry’s classic gameplay, but it also eliminates the technical hurdles of running a decades-old PC game.

The Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media category is still relatively new at the Grammys, having been introduced just three years ago. Previous winners include Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla by Stephanie Economou in 2023 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, composed by Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab, in 2024. One notable figure yet to claim the prize is Bear McCreary, the composer behind the God of War series, who has been nominated each year but has yet to win.

With this victory, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord cements its place not just in gaming history, but in the evolving world of video game music. Phillips’ award-winning score is a testament to the power of music in shaping the gaming experience, proving that even a decades-old franchise can still command the spotlight.