The addition of video game music as a category recognized by the Grammy Awards has been long requested by numerous entities within the gaming industry, and the Recording Academy has clearly been paying attention. Though they have not been given their own category (yet!), video games have been added to the list of eligible media for four awards.
The awards cover a fairly a fairly wide spectrum, including both original material and compilations of previously released audio. Have a look at the categories:
The Music for Visual Media (Motion, Television, Video Game Music, or Other Visual Media) Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (Motion, Television, Video Game Music, or Other Visual Media) Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Motion, Television, Video Game Music, or Other Visual Media) Best Song Written for Visual Media (Motion, Television, Video Game Music, or Other Visual Media)
Bill Freimuth, Vice President of Awards for the Recording Academy, addressed the inclusion of video games as a viable medium for nominated material.
It’s rather shocking to learn that publishers haven’t been submitting their games for consideration at the Grammys. The past few AAA titles released have featured some amazing soundtracks, like the aforementioned Red Dead Redemption or the Hans Zimmer created Crysis 2 soundtrack.
Some of the best music out now can be found in the levels of video games. Even when they do not feature an original score – as with Rock Band 3’s extensive track list and ever growing library, or the soundtracks of the Grand Theft Auto series – music often plays a huge part in video games.
Nominees for the four awards have not yet been announced, and it remains a possibility that no games will be nominated this year. Still, it’s gratifying to see gaming continue to make inroads into gaining the recognition it deserves from the mainstream media.
Which games would you like to see recognized at the Grammy Awards?
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Source: Industry Gamers
