Helldivers 2 Receives Grammy Nomination Through Soundtrack Technicality
Helldivers 2 has secured a surprising Grammy nomination for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media, despite releasing in February 2024. The nomination eligibility stems from the official soundtrack’s September 2024 release, which fell within the Grammys’ August 2024-August 2025 eligibility window. Composer Wilbert Roget, II earns the recognition for his work on the explosive sci-fi score that complements Arrowhead Game Studios’ popular cooperative shooter.
Grammy Eligibility Explained
The Helldivers 2 Grammy nomination demonstrates the Recording Academy’s specific eligibility requirements for video game scores. While the game launched before the eligibility period, the soundtrack album’s release date determines qualification. This technicality also applies to fellow nominees Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Star Wars Outlaws, whose DLC releases within the eligibility window made their scores eligible.
The Grammy rules require that at least two-thirds of nominated album tracks must have been used in the shipped game product. Additionally, greater than 50% of the music must derive from new episodes or programming released during the eligibility year. These specifications ensure that nominated works represent substantial new compositional achievements rather than simply repackaged existing content.
Competitive Nominations Field
Helldivers 2 joins an impressive lineup of games competing for the Grammy award. The category includes Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Secrets of the Spires composed by Pinar Toprak, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle by Gordy Haab, Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card & A Pirate’s Fortune by Cody Matthew Johnson and Wilbert Roget, II, and Sword of the Sea by Austin Wintory. Many nominees are Grammy veterans, with Roget previously nominated for Star Wars Outlaws and Haab winning in 2024 for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
The 68th Grammy Awards ceremony scheduled for February 1, 2026, will determine whether Helldivers 2 claims victory. The nomination represents growing recognition for video game music within mainstream awards shows, following the category’s introduction for the 2023 Grammys. This acknowledgment highlights the increasing artistic significance of game soundtracks in the broader music industry.
