Beginning only this year, the Ivor Novello Awards now have a category for best original video game soundtracks. Its first recipient was Guerrilla Games’ smash hit, Killzone 2 (composed by Joris de Man). For those of you who are not familiar with these awards, the mission statement from the official website is as follows:
“The Ivors celebrate the outstanding writing achievements of songwriters, composers and their music publishers. The awards either celebrate artistic excellence in a specific work, exceptional performance figures in the award year or recognise the outstanding achievements of a particular songwriter or composer throughout their career.”
In addition to these criteria, all entries must have a British or Irish composing contribution of at least one third.
I am absolutely thrilled to see one of the most prestigious honors in the music business open its arms to video game music. It is now only a matter of time before other major awards committees get on board as well and acknowledge what we all know to be some of the best music available.
For readers at OSV, you all know this is sort of a bit of old news since Killzone 2 made my list of honorable mentions for our first annual OSVOSTOTY Awards. And, really, who needs an Ivor once you have that?
Warm congratulations to Mr. de Man and the rest of the staff responsible for Killzone 2!
Video game music gaining major mainstream exposure?! What do you all make of this? Your thoughts, please!
