The player

It's about time videogame soundtracks got the awards nod, writes CIARA O'BRIEN

THERE WAS some celebration earlier this month when, for the first time, a videogame track earned a Grammy nomination. Christopher Tin's Baba Yetu, which can be heard on Civilization IV, was nominated in the Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists category.

Opinion has been divided on the nomination. Some have welcomed the belated recognition of the industry; others point out that the track is also on an album ( Calling All Dawns) that is in the running for a Grammy as well. Civilization IVwas released in 2005, implying that the song's nomination was more to do with the album launch and less to do with its gaming connections.

More vocal about the situation is EA executive Steve Schnur, head of music at the games publisher. Schnur was quoted on MCV as saying he had led a campaign to get the Grammys to recognise “Best Video Game Score” as its own category. Currently, it is in “Best Score for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media”.

“This generalisation of ‘other visual media’ isn’t merely an insult to the games industry, but a blatant dismissal of these musicians and composers,” Schnur said.

It might seem like a minor point, given that TV and film are lumped in there too, but there is a case to be made for examining the contribution of game scores.

Videogame music can be instantly recognisable – the theme tune to Super Mario Brotherswill instantly remind me of my childhood – or just brilliantly scored, such as Red Dead Redemption, which was the work of Bill Elm and Woody Jackson.

They can make a game, adding to atmosphere, building tension. Perhaps in recognition of this, there are growing opportunities to buy the music from games, just as you would with movies. Scores to Assassin's Creed, Red Dead Redemptionand Mirror's Edge, for example, are available.

As if to hammer home the point of just how games soundtracks have integrated themselves into popular culture, Leona Lewis recorded a track for Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII.

The British industry is ahead of the pack when it comes to recognising the cultural contributions that games have and can make. The Baftas have had an awards ceremony dedicated to videogames since 2003, when it split the games awards from its interactive entertainment ceremony.

Other awards ceremonies would do well to catch up.