Grammys 2026: Video Game Soundtrack Nominees Ignite Major Debate

The Recording Academy just unveiled its picks for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media, but the omissions of highly-praised scores like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2 are sparking major conversations among fans and even nominated composers.

TL;DR: Quick Takes on the 2026 Video Game Grammy Nominations

• The 2026 Grammy nominations for Best Video Game Score are out, featuring titles like Helldivers 2, Star Wars Outlaws, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
• Highly acclaimed titles such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2 were surprisingly left off the list, leading to significant fan disappointment.
• Eligibility rules allowed some nominated games to qualify via DLC or official soundtrack release dates, highlighting the intricate Grammy submission process.

Imagine a video game soundtrack that doesn't just get good reviews, but actually tops the Billboard Classical charts for ten weeks straight, wins a prestigious industry award, and is hailed by critics and fans alike as a masterpiece. Sounds like a surefire lock for a Grammy nomination, right? Well, for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, that wasn't the case this year, leaving many scratching their heads and fueling a passionate debate about how the music industry's biggest night recognizes video game artistry.

The Grammy Awards are slowly but surely embracing video games, with the "Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media" category now a recurring feature. However, the recent announcement of the 2026 nominees has proven that this journey is far from smooth, sparking both celebration for the chosen few and frustration for the overlooked.

Who Made the Coveted Cut: A Closer Look at 2026's Nominated Video Game Scores

For the fourth year running, the Grammys will honor excellence in video game scoring. The Recording Academy’s latest selections for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards feature a mix of anticipated blockbusters and unique artistic endeavors. These five titles will battle it out for the golden gramophone on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles:

• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires: Composed by Pinar Toprak
• Helldivers 2: Composed by Wilbert Roget, II
• Indiana Jones And The Great Circle: Composed by Gordy Haab
• Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate's Fortune: Composed by Cody Matthew Johnson & Wilbert Roget, II
• Sword of the Sea: Composed by Austin Wintory

It's worth noting that three of these nominated scores—Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle, and Star Wars Outlaws—are all tied to Walt Disney Company projects, reflecting the company's growing presence in interactive media.

Navigating the Nuances: How Some Games Secured Their Grammy Eligibility

You might be wondering how games like Helldivers 2, which launched earlier in 2024, made it onto a list for the 2026 Grammys. This is where the Recording Academy’s specific eligibility rules come into play. The eligibility period for the 68th Grammy Awards runs from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025.

For Helldivers 2, the key was its soundtrack's official release date. While the game itself came out in February 2024, composer Wilbert Roget, II and developer Arrowhead Game Studios officially released the game's soundtrack on September 20, 2024. This date falls comfortably within the eligibility window, allowing the immensely popular title to compete for the award. Source: Polygon, "Next year's Grammy nominees were announced Friday, and they include nominations for video games like Helldivers 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Sword of the Sea, which was composed by previous Grammy nominee Austin Wintory.", Undated.

Similar technicalities applied to other nominees. The base game of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora was released outside the window, but its Secrets of the Spires DLC, featuring Pinar Toprak's score, dropped on November 28, 2024, making it eligible. Source: Polygon, "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora was originally released outside of the 2026 eligibility window, but its Secrets of the Spires DLC was released on Nov. 28, 2024, making it eligible.", Undated. Likewise, while Star Wars Outlaws' main game launched on August 30, 2024 (just a day before the window opened), its Wild Card & A Pirate's Fortune DLC qualified for consideration.

According to Grammy rules for interactive media, at least two-thirds of an album's musical tracks must have been used in the shipped game product or its cinematic sequences. Furthermore, over 50% of the music on an otherwise eligible video game soundtrack must be derived from new episodes or programming released during the Grammy eligibility year. This flexibility for DLC and expansions ensures that ongoing interactive experiences can still be recognized.

The Elephant Not in the Room: The Surprising Snubs of Acclaimed Soundtracks

While the nominees are certainly strong contenders, the biggest buzz surrounding this year's video game Grammy category isn't about who made the list, but who didn't. The absence of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2 has ignited considerable disappointment among fans and industry figures alike.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with its score by Lorien Testard, seemed like a shoe-in. The game’s soundtrack soared to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Classical charts for an impressive ten consecutive weeks and even clinched the World Soundtrack Award for Best Game Music. Source: VGC, "The biggest surprise, however, is arguably a title missing from the list. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the second-highest rated new game of the year, has been No. 1 on the Billboard Classical charts for ten weeks, and composer Lorien Testard recently won the WSA Game Music Award.", Undated. Publisher Kepler Interactive even submitted the score for consideration in two Grammy categories: Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Best Song Written for Visual Media. Yet, it failed to make the cut for either.

Even Austin Wintory, a nominated composer for Sword of the Sea and a three-time Grammy nominee (known for his work on Journey and Assassin's Creed Syndicate), voiced his disappointment. He tweeted:

"Congrats to my friends and thank you to Recording Academy for including Sword of the Sea at the '26 Grammys. I'm sad at the lack of Expedition 33 among them. I would happily trade places. That score is the definition of worthy!"

— Austin Wintory, Composer for Sword of the Sea

Source: GamesRadar+, "Congrats to my friends and thank you to Recording Academy for including Sword of the Sea at the '26 Grammys," he tweeted after the noms came out. "I'm sad at the lack of Expedition 33 among them. I would happily trade places. That score is the definition of worthy!", Undated.

Another major snub was Ludvig Forssell and Woodkid's score for Death Stranding 2. The long-awaited sequel from Hideo Kojima built upon the atmospheric soundscapes of its predecessor, earning widespread critical praise. Fans lauded its live vocals and guitar work, with Forssell himself calling it his "pièce de résistance."

Understanding the Disconnect: Why These Acclaimed Soundtracks Were Overlooked

The outcry over these omissions highlights a lingering tension in the music industry's recognition of video games. Some speculate that the Grammy Awards, often perceived as "American mainstream awards," might inherently favor larger, more recognizable franchises, potentially disadvantaging a "purely of French origin" game like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Source: Tech4Gamers, "The Grammys are more American mainstream awards, and a game purely of French origin would’ve found it difficult to be there.", Undated.

Additionally, the Recording Academy's voting body, primarily composed of music professionals, may not always have deep engagement with the games themselves. This can lead to a disconnect where a score, despite its critical and popular acclaim within the gaming community, might not resonate as strongly with voters less familiar with the interactive context. Fans often express frustration, suggesting that many committee members "didn’t even listen" to the full soundtracks or play the games. Source: Khel Now Gaming, "The Recording Academy’s voting body—mostly music pros—may not engage deeply with games. Fans speculate bias toward bigger franchises.", Undated.

Example: Imagine Sarah, a dedicated gamer who, after diving deep into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, found herself humming its haunting melodies long after she turned off her console. She even bought the soundtrack, listening to it while working, finding its beauty undeniable. To her, seeing it absent from the Grammy nominations feels like a genuine oversight, a disconnect between the critical and popular reception of game music and the traditional music industry's recognition.

A Brief History of the Video Game Grammy Category and Its Evolution

The "Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media" award made its debut at the 2023 ceremony, marking a significant milestone for video game music. This is now the fourth time the award will be presented, recognizing the growing artistic legitimacy and cultural impact of interactive scores.

Past winners showcase the diversity of games that have been recognized:

• 2023: Stephanie Economou for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök
• 2024: Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Haab is nominated again this year for Indiana Jones And The Great Circle!)
• 2025: Winifred Phillips for Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

It’s also interesting to see familiar names pop up repeatedly. Wilbert Roget, II, for example, is nominated for both Helldivers 2 and Star Wars Outlaws this year, and was previously nominated for Star Wars Outlaws. Pinar Toprak, nominated for Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires, had also been nominated for the base Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora game in a previous year. These repeat nominations suggest a core group of recognized talent, even as new games emerge.

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony itself is set for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

Practical Takeaways: What This Means for Game Music Going Forward

The 2026 Grammy nominations for video game soundtracks are more than just a list of names; they’re a snapshot of an evolving industry. Here's what we can learn:

• Embrace the Nuance: The Grammy eligibility rules can be complex, especially with DLC and soundtrack-only releases. Understanding these technicalities helps explain seemingly odd nominations or omissions.
• The Power of Fan Advocacy: The passionate response to snubs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 demonstrates that fan voices are crucial in highlighting deserving works and pushing for broader recognition.
• A Category Still Finding Its Feet: While the video game score category is a welcome addition, its selection process seems to be a work in progress, balancing traditional industry views with the unique landscape of interactive media.
• Diverse Recognition is Key: For game music to truly flourish in mainstream awards, there needs to be a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation for a wider range of genres and origins, moving beyond just major franchises.
• Tune In for the Big Night: Regardless of the debate, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, will be a significant moment for the nominated composers and a testament to the growing artistic merit of video game scores.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Grammy Video Game Nominations

When are the 2026 Grammy Awards, and what’s the eligibility period for video game scores?

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 1, 2026. The eligibility window for the "Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media" category ran from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025.

What games were nominated for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games in 2026?

The five nominees are Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires (Pinar Toprak), Helldivers 2 (Wilbert Roget, II), Indiana Jones And The Great Circle (Gordy Haab), Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate's Fortune (Cody Matthew Johnson & Wilbert Roget, II), and Sword of the Sea (Austin Wintory).

Why weren’t highly acclaimed games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2 nominated?

Despite critical acclaim, chart success (for Clair Obscur), and industry awards, these titles were surprisingly absent. Speculation points to the Grammy voting body, largely composed of music professionals, possibly having less exposure to or understanding of the broader video game music landscape, or a potential bias towards more mainstream American projects.

How did Helldivers 2 qualify for a 2026 Grammy despite its early 2024 release?

Helldivers 2 qualified because its official soundtrack album was released on September 20, 2024, which falls squarely within the August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025, eligibility period for the 2026 Grammys. Grammy rules allow for soundtrack release dates, not just game release dates, to determine eligibility.

Sources:

• VGC, "The 2026 Grammy nominations have been announced, including the five video games up for Best Soundtrack.", Undated.
• GamesRadar+, "The 2026 Grammy nominations are live, and at least one recognized composer is disappointed to see Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 shut out of the awards' video games category.", Undated.
• Polygon, "Next year's Grammy nominees were announced Friday, and they include nominations for video games like Helldivers 2, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Sword of the Sea, which was composed by previous Grammy nominee Austin Wintory.", Undated.
• FandomWire, "The nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards are out, and we immediately checked the nominees for the Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media. But wait, what is Helldivers 2 doing on this list over games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2?", Undated.
• Khel Now Gaming, "Clair Obscur Expedition 33 got robbed for 2026 Grammy nominees", November 8, 2025.
• Insider Gaming, "2026 Grammys: Video Games and Other Interactive Media Nominees", Undated.
• Laughing Place, "The 2026 Grammys are set to take place early next year, with the full list of nominations revealed earlier. Among the list of nominations are several from various Walt Disney Company projects.", Undated.
• Tech4Gamers, "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gets Ditched From Grammy Awards, While Star Wars Outlaws Makes The List", November 8, 2025.