The D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. This award is "presented to the individual or team whose work represents the highest level of achievement in original musical composition for an interactive title. Both the quality of the score and the integration of the score into the title will be considered when determining the recipient of the award". Creative/technical Academy members with expertise as an audio designer or musician are qualified to vote for this award.
The award's most recent winner is Ghost of Yōtei, developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
History
The award was initially presented as the Outstanding Achievement in Sound and Music for "the integration and use of sound and/or original music in an interactive title". The first winner was PaRappa the Rapper, which was developed by NanaOn-Sha and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Sound and Music was separated into their own categories for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition and Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design during the 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. The award for the Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack was introduced for the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. This award recognized "the highest level achievement in soundtrack composition for an interactive title". Both the soundtrack's quality and the soundtrack's integration "into the interactive title will be considered in determining the recipient". The Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack award was not offered for the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, and had not been offered since. Outstanding Achievement in Sound and Music (1998–1999) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition (2000–present) Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack (2004–2011)
Even after the categories for music and sound were split in 2000, several games had won both categories in the same year, which included: Medal of Honor: Underground Medal of Honor: Frontline God of War (2005) BioShock Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Journey Destiny God of War (2018) Ghost of Tsushima Returnal God of War Ragnarök Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Helldivers 2
Winners and nominees 1990s + Table keyIndicates the winner YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)1997/1998 (1st) PaRappa the RapperNanaOn-ShaSony Computer EntertainmentFalloutInterplay ProductionsInterplay ProductionsInterstate '76ActivisionActivisionOddworld: Abe's OddyseeOddworld InhabitantsGT InteractiveOutlawsLucasArtsLucasArtsStar Trek: Starfleet AcademyInterplay ProductionsInterplay Productions1998/1999 (2nd) Road Rash 3DElectronic ArtsElectronic ArtsGrim FandangoLucasArtsLucasArtsHeart of DarknessAmazing StudioInterplay ProductionsWild 9Shiny Entertainment1999/2000 (3rd) Um Jammer LammyNanaOn-ShaSony Computer EntertainmentOutcastAppealInfogramesSilverSpiral House
2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2000 (4th) Medal of Honor: UndergroundDreamWorks InteractiveElectronic ArtsFinal Fantasy IXSquareSoftSquare Electronic ArtsJet Grind RadioSmilebitSegaEscape from Monkey IslandLucasArtsLucasArtsSSXEA CanadaElectronic Arts2001 (5th) TropicoPopTop SoftwareGathering of DevelopersBatman: VengeanceUbisoft MontrealUbisoftHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneKnowWonderElectronic ArtsMyst III: ExilePresto StudiosUbisoft2002 (6th) Medal of Honor: FrontlineEA Los AngelesElectronic Arts Metroid PrimeRetro StudiosNintendoRygar: The Legendary AdventureTecmoTecmoThe Elder Scrolls III: MorrowindBethesda Game StudiosBethesda SoftworksWarcraft III: Reign of ChaosBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment2003 (7th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionMedal of Honor: Rising SunEA Los AngelesElectronic ArtsBeyond Good & EvilUbisoft MontpellierUbisoftCall of DutyInfinity WardActivisionGrabbed by the GhouliesRareMicrosoft Game StudiosXIIIUbisoft ParisUbisoft Outstanding Achievement in Licensed SoundtrackSSX 3EA CanadaElectronic ArtsMadden NFL 2004EA TiburonElectronic ArtsNBA Live 2004EA CanadaTony Hawk's UndergroundNeversoftActivisionTrue Crime: Streets of LALuxoflux2004 (8th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionFableLionhead StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosKatamari DamacyNamcoNamcoKillzoneGuerrilla GamesSony Computer EntertainmentNBA BallersMidway GamesMidway GamesRome: Total WarCreative AssemblyActivision Outstanding Achievement in SoundtrackGrand Theft Auto: San AndreasRockstar NorthRockstar GamesDonkey KongaNamcoNintendoNeed for Speed: Underground 2EA Black BoxElectronic ArtsTony Hawk's Underground 2NeversoftActivision2005 (9th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionGod of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentGunNeversoftActivisionJade EmpireBioWareMicrosoft Game StudiosKameo: Elements of PowerRareRise of the KasaiBottleRocket EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment Outstanding Achievement in SoundtrackGuitar HeroHarmonixRedOctaneBurnout RevengeCriterion GamesElectronic ArtsSSX on TourEA CanadaThe WarriorsRockstar TorontoRockstar GamesWipeout PureStudio LiverpoolSony Computer Entertainment2006 (10th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionLocoRocoJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentBlackCriterion GamesElectronic ArtsCall of Duty 3TreyarchActivisionThe Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionBethesda Game Studios2K GamesTom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double AgentUbisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft MilanUbisoft Outstanding Achievement in SoundtrackGuitar Hero IIHarmonixRedOctaneFIFA 07EA CanadaElectronic ArtsMarc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under PressureThe CollectiveAtariScarface: The World Is YoursRadical EntertainmentSierra EntertainmentSingStar Rocks!London StudioSony Computer Entertainment2007 (11th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionBioShock2K Boston, 2K Australia2K GamesGod of War IISanta Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentHeavenly SwordNinja TheoryLairFactor 5Uncharted: Drake's FortuneNaughty Dog Outstanding Achievement in SoundtrackRock BandHarmonixMTV GamesBioShock2K Boston, 2K Australia2K GamesGuitar Hero III: Legends of RockNeversoftActivisionSingStar PopLondon StudioSony Computer Entertainmentskate.EA Black BoxElectronic Arts2008 (12th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsKojima ProductionsKonamiDe BlobBlue Tongue EntertainmentTHQDead SpaceEA Redwood ShoresElectronic ArtsFable IILionhead StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosWorld of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich KingBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment Outstanding Achievement in SoundtrackRock Band 2HarmonixMTV GamesGuitar Hero World TourNeversoftActivisionLittleBigPlanetMedia MoleculeSony Computer EntertainmentMotorStorm: Pacific RiftEvolution StudiosSingStar PS3 Vol. 1London Studio2009 (13th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionUncharted 2: Among ThievesNaughty DogSony Computer EntertainmentAssassin's Creed IIUbisoft MontrealUbisoftBatman: Arkham AsylumRocksteady StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Infinity WardActivisionFlowerThatgamecompanySony Computer Entertainment Outstanding Achievement in SoundtrackBrütal LegendDouble Fine ProductionsElectronic ArtsDJ HeroNeversoftActivisionSkate 2EA Black BoxElectronic ArtsThe Beatles: Rock BandHarmonixMTV Games
2010s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2010 (14th) Outstanding Achievement in Original Music CompositionHeavy RainQuantic DreamSony Computer EntertainmentAssassin's Creed: BrotherhoodUbisoft MontrealUbisoftFable IIILionhead StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosStarCraft II: Wings of LibertyBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentWorld of Warcraft: Cataclysm Outstanding Achievement in SoundtrackRock Band 3HarmonixMTV GamesDance CentralHarmonixMTV GamesDJ Hero 2FreeStyleGamesActivisionGran Turismo 5Polyphony DigitalSony Computer Entertainment2011 (15th) Portal 2ValveValveInfamous 2Sucker Punch ProductionsSony Computer EntertainmentL.A. NoireTeam BondiRockstar GamesLittleBigPlanet 2Media MoleculeSony Computer EntertainmentUncharted 3: Drake's DeceptionNaughty Dog2012 (16th) JourneyThatgamecompanySony Computer EntertainmentDiablo IIIBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentFar Cry 3Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftMass Effect 3BioWareElectronic ArtsWorld of Warcraft: Mists of PandariaBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment2013 (17th) BioShock InfiniteIrrational Games2K GamesBeyond: Two SoulsQuantic DreamSony Computer EntertainmentPuppeteerJapan StudioRainAcquire, Japan StudioRayman LegendsUbisoft MontpellierUbisoft2014 (18th) DestinyBungieActivisionFar Cry 4Ubisoft MontrealUbisoftLara Croft and the Temple of OsirisCrystal DynamicsSquare Enix EuropeThe Vanishing of Ethan CarterThe AstronautsThe AstronautsTransistorSupergiant GamesSupergiant Games2015 (19th) Ori and the Blind ForestMoon StudiosMicrosoft StudiosBatman: Arkham KnightRocksteady StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentEverybody's Gone to the RaptureThe Chinese Room, Santa Monica StudioSony Computer EntertainmentStarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntCD Projekt RedCD Projekt2016 (20th) Doomid SoftwareBethesda SoftworksAbzûGiant Squid505 GamesBattlefield 1DICEElectronic ArtsThe Last GuardianJapan Studio, GenDesignSony Interactive EntertainmentTitanfall 2Respawn EntertainmentElectronic Arts2017 (21st) CupheadStudio MDHRStudio MDHRCall of Duty: WWIISledgehammer GamesActivisionHorizon Zero DawnGuerrilla GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentRimeTequila WorksGrey BoxWolfenstein II: The New ColossusMachineGamesBethesda Softworks2018 (22nd) God of WarSanta Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentDetroit: Become HumanQuantic DreamSony Interactive EntertainmentForgotton AnneThroughLine GamesSquare Enix CollectiveMarvel's Spider-ManInsomniac GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentTetris EffectMonstars, ResonairEnhance Games2019 (23rd) ControlRemedy Entertainment505 GamesArise: A Simple StoryPiccolo StudioTechlandEricaFlavourworksSony Interactive EntertainmentGolemHighwire GamesHighwire GamesMortal Kombat 11NetherRealm StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
2020s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2020 (24th) Ghost of TsushimaSucker Punch ProductionsSony Interactive EntertainmentCarrionPhobia Game StudioDevolver DigitalLittle OrpheusThe Chinese RoomSumo DigitalOri and the Will of the WispsMoon StudiosXbox Game StudiosThe PathlessGiant SquidAnnapurna Interactive2021 (25th) ReturnalHousemarqueSony Interactive EntertainmentDeathloopArkane StudiosBethesda SoftworksIt Takes TwoHazelight StudiosElectronic ArtsKena: Bridge of SpiritsEmber LabEmber LabPsychonauts 2Double Fine ProductionsXbox Game Studios2022 (26th) God of War RagnarökSanta Monica StudioSony Interactive EntertainmentA Plague Tale: RequiemAsobo StudioFocus EntertainmentHorizon Forbidden WestGuerrilla GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentMetal: HellsingerThe OutsidersFuncomMoss: Book IIPolyarcPolyarc2023 (27th) Marvel's Spider-Man 2Insomniac GamesSony Interactive EntertainmentAlan Wake 2Remedy EntertainmentEpic GamesDiablo IVBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentPlanet of LanaWishfully StudiosThunderful PublishingStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorRespawn EntertainmentElectronic Arts2024 (28th) Helldivers 2Arrowhead Game StudiosSony Interactive EntertainmentAstro BotTeam AsobiSony Interactive EntertainmentMonument Valley 3 ustwo Netflix GamesSenua's Saga: Hellblade IINinja TheoryXbox Game StudiosStar Wars OutlawsMassive EntertainmentUbisoft2025 (29th) Ghost of YōteiSucker Punch ProductionsSony Interactive EntertainmentClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sandfall Interactive Kepler InteractiveHerdling Okomotive Panic Inc.Mario Kart World Nintendo EPD NintendoSword of the Sea Giant Squid Giant Squid
Multiple nominations and wins Developers and publishers