The Grammys’ first nominations for the video game music soundtrack category are in, and the short-listed favourites include the likes of Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed. These are arguably big contenders for such a prestigious award, but they have some fierce competition. As announced via the Grammys’ official Twitter channel, the full rundown of nominees include Austin Wintory with his score for Alien: Fireteam Elite, Steph Economou for Assassin’s Creed, and The Walking Dead’s Bear McCreary for his work on Call of Duty.
Other nominees who made the shortlist include Richard Jacques for the 80s-inspired soundtrack that accompanied Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and last, but by no means, least, Christopher Tin for his efforts on Old World from Mohawk Games.
Congratulations 65th #GRAMMYs Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media nominees: @awintory (@AliensFireteamE); @StephEconomou (@assassinscreed); @bearmccreary (@CallofDuty); @Richard_Jacques
(@GOTGTheGame); and @christophertin (@mohawkgames) pic.twitter.com/EYSl7TJ6uN— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) November 15, 2022
While we wish all the luck to this year’s selected nominees, the launch of the video game soundtrack category should be considered a landmark moment in the gaming industry. However, this is not the first time an OST for a video game has received a nomination and for that matter, scooped up awards at the Grammys.
Historically, Christopher Tin’s re-release of ‘Baba Yetu’ lifted from Civilisation 4, and more recently, 2012’s Journey received a nomination for its score. Reaction to the nominations has been somewhat mixed, with particular attention directed at the apparent lack of variety, as Twitter users ask why games such as Sonic Frontiers, God of War, and Elden Ring failed to make the list.
Do you agree with the nominations, and are there any games you would want to see added to the list of nominees? Make sure to let us know in the comments below!
