Composer Austin Wintory has won a Grammy Award for his work on the video game Sword of the Sea. The award recognizes the best compilation soundtrack for video games and interactive media. The ceremony took place in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026.
Long-time Grammy nominee Austin Wintory finally claimed a win at the 2026 Grammy Awards, held last night in Los Angeles. He received the award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media for his contributions to Sword of the Sea. This marks a significant milestone for Wintory, who has been nominated multiple times in the past, including for his score on Journey—a nomination that predated the introduction of the dedicated video game category in 2023.
The category, established to honor excellence in game music, has previously gone to composers such as Stephanie Economou for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Gordy Haab and Stephen Barton for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Winifred Phillips for Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord. Wintory's victory underscores the growing recognition of video game soundtracks in mainstream awards, highlighting the artistic depth of interactive media.
This win comes amid a broader celebration of game-related music at the Grammys, where another gaming-inspired track, "Super Mario Praise Break" by The 8-Bit Big Band, took home the award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals. Wintory's achievement reflects the evolution of the industry, where composers like him bridge film, games, and orchestral traditions.
