2025 Grammy Awards Nominees for Best Video Game Soundtrack Category Announced

/

The 2025 Grammy Awards will be held on February 2, 2025, and will feature the best video game soundtrack category for the third time since it was implemented in 2023. Here are the five composers nominated for the Grammy.

2025 Grammy Awards Best Video Game Soundtrack nominees

This year features a list of high-profile titles with two titles from PlayStation, two from Ubisoft, and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, a remake of a game released in the 1980s.

  • Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Pinar Toprak, composer

  • God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla – Bear McCreary, composer

  • Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – John Paesano, composer

  • Star Wars Outlaws – Wilbert Roget, II, composer

  • Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord – Winifred Phillips, composer

According to the Recording Academy, this category “recognizes excellence in score soundtrack albums comprised predominately of original scores and created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current video game or other interactive media released within the qualification period.”

Maybe third time’s the charm for McCreary?

Nominees this year have a familiar name. Composer Bear McCreary has officially been nominated for a third time in a row in this category since it was implemented in 2023. He was nominated in 2024 for his work on the base game of God of War Ragnarok, and in 2023 for his work on Call of Duty: Vanguard.

Bear McCreary’s third nominee is for his work on God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla, the free DLC for God of War Ragnarok despite it being released on December 12, 2023, as this piece of work still lands on the category’s nominee period. Despite having multiple nominees in his belt, McCreary has yet to win a Grammy in this category.

In 2023, the first winner of this category was composer Stephanie Economou for her work on the DLC Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok. In 2024, Composers Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab won the category for their work on Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

Featured
Life is Strange: Double Exposure Review - A Nostalgic Return That Falls Flat
Life is Strange: Double Exposure Review - A Nostalgic Return That Falls Flat

Life is Strange: Double Exposure brings back Max Caulfield with new time-manipulation powers, but struggles to capture the original’s emotional weight. While the dual-timeline mechanic is engaging, the story’s weak twists, forgettable characters, and technical issues hold it back. A nostalgic revisit, but not a standout entry in the series.

Lego Horizon Adventures Review (PS5) -  The Playful Side of a Post-apocalyptic World
Lego Horizon Adventures Review (PS5) -  The Playful Side of a Post-apocalyptic World

Lego Horizon Adventures transforms the serious world of Horizon Zero Dawn into a playful experience geared towards younger gamers. With a lighter story, fun character twists, and familiar machines recreated in Lego form, it serves as a charming introduction to Aloy’s universe. While hardcore fans may find it a bit basic, it’s ideal for friendly, family-oriented play with loved ones of any age.

Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero Review - Budokai Tenkaichi’s True Successor
Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero Review - Budokai Tenkaichi’s True Successor

Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is a hefty game, yet the clear omissions make it feel like a lesser product compared to a title from nearly two decades ago. And while that may disappoint a lot of players, what is present is a great action fighter that looks and more importantly feels awesome to play.