For the First Time Ever, the 2023 Grammys Will Have a Best VGM Award

The Recording Academy has announced that they’ll be presenting several new awards during the 2023 Grammys, including “Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media.” Here’s the official description (sourced from Pitchfork).

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.

Technically, a video game soundtrack’s already won an award before. The 8-Bit Big Band were honored back in April with “Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or A Capella” for their cover of “Meta Knight’s Revenge” from Kirby Super Star.

I find myself asking, “What took them so long?” It would’ve been cool had Yasunori Mitsuda nabbed a Grammy for Chrono Cross. I feel like 2017 would’ve been an especially crazy year with NieR: Automata and Persona 5 in the mix.

In any case, you know what venerable, long-running institution has always given VGM its due? RPGFan, of course! You need only peruse our Music page, where we review all sorts of RPG-related music—from soundtracks to arrangements and everything in between. Heck, that’s what Rhythm Encounter‘s all about. Come swing by!

Source: Pitchfork