Jessica Curry: Video Game Prom could combat ‘snobbery’ over game music

The composer behind Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture believes video games music is worthy of its own event at the BBC Proms.

Speaking to BBC Radio 3, Jessica Curry said there is enough "beautiful" and "classically inspired" music in the games space to appeal to a broader audience, and that this would go some way to improving the mainstream acceptance of work by composers such as herself.

“I do think there is still – dare I say – snobbery around the creation and performance of video game music, but actually if people now listen to it again, it’s extraordinarily beautiful, technical and often very classically inspired," she said.

“At the moment, I’m really pushing for there to be a video game music Prom because I think it’s extraordinary that we have this multi-billion pound industry with amazing creative diverse music being created. What I’m really hoping for in the next couple of years is that classical music will realise that we have really rich crossover of music that people who love classical could explore and enjoy.”

Curry and her colleagues at The Chinese Room picked up the accolade for Audio Accomplishment at the 2016 Develop Awards last week.

Video game concerts are, of course, nothing new. Composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall continue to tour with their Video Games Live events, while Nintendo’s Zelda Symphony is currently on its third worldwide tour. However, a games-themed BBC Proms would be a major step as a non-industry led event.