Celebrating 30 Years of Musical Magic
As Heroes of Might and Magic approaches its 30th anniversary, GOG has released something truly special for fans of the legendary turn-based strategy series. The digital game retailer conducted an exclusive two-part interview with Paul Anthony Romero, the maestro behind some of the most recognizable video game music ever created.
The first episode dropped on October 7, 2025, offering fans a rare glimpse into the creative mind responsible for soundtracks that have become synonymous with fantasy gaming. Romero discusses his fascinating musical journey, the unexpected path that led him to compose for Heroes, and shares behind-the-scenes stories about creating those iconic themes that still resonate with players decades later.
From Child Prodigy to Game Music Legend
Paul Anthony Romero’s story reads like something out of a movie. Born in Los Angeles, he discovered his ability to compose at just eight or nine years old. His childhood prodigy status took him around the world – performing in Japan, New York, and Washington D.C. – before anyone could have imagined he would become a defining voice in video game music.
At 15, everything changed when he enrolled in a serious music school. The instructors told him bluntly that the concert career needed to stop. No more being a “trained monkey,” as they put it. Instead, they demanded he focus entirely on studying classical composition and piano technique. He followed that advice, developing a rigorous education in classical music that would later become the foundation for his game soundtracks.
Musical Education Background
- Studied piano under Earle C. Voorhies, a Juilliard pupil of Alexandre Siloti (Franz Liszt’s notable student)
- Trained with Valarie Alexandra Valois, student of legendary Italian pianist Arturo Michelangeli
- Received full scholarship to Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia
- Studied composition under Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ned Rorem
- Completed studies at Ecole de Beaux Arts at Chateau de Fontainebleu in France
The Week That Changed Gaming Music Forever
Here’s where the story gets remarkable. After finishing his formal music education in his 20s, Romero found himself without a clear career path. He took whatever work he could find – construction jobs, playing piano at a local church – anything to make ends meet. He wasn’t working as a professional musician at all.
Then came an opportunity that seemed insignificant at the time. According to the interview, Romero was asked to compose music for the first Heroes of Might and Magic game in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach, a composer he deeply admired. The project seemed straightforward – create baroque-style themes with strings, bass, cello, viola, violin, harpsichord, some horns, and a few woodwinds.
The timeline was incredibly tight. Romero composed the main themes for Heroes of Might and Magic in approximately five days. He thought it would be a one-time gig, never imagining the impact those melodies would have. A few months later, the developers came back asking for more music, and what started as a quick freelance job became a defining career.
The Moment He Realized His Impact
For years, Romero had no idea his music had become culturally significant. He was creating soundtracks using digital and synthetic sounds – something completely new for someone trained exclusively in live classical performance. The early Heroes games featured orchestral sounds that were actually Romero playing everything himself on synthesizers, as budgets didn’t allow for real orchestras yet.
The awakening came in the most unexpected way – in St. Petersburg, Russia. Someone put up a single small poster on a concert hall doorway announcing “Paul Romero, composer of Heroes of Might and Magic, live in concert” with a date. That tiny piece of paper, literally just taped to the door, resulted in every ticket selling out within a day.
That moment crystallized everything. People didn’t just enjoy the music as background noise while playing – they wanted to experience it separately as concert performances. Romero agreed to his first Heroes tour, playing the themes live around the world and discovering a passionate global fanbase he never knew existed.
Award-Winning Career and Lasting Legacy
Romero’s work extends far beyond Heroes of Might and Magic, though that remains his most iconic contribution. He has composed over 70 original film and video game scores, including work on Sony Online Entertainment’s EverQuest expansions from Planes of Power through Dragons of Norrath.
His achievements include winning the BMI Jerry Goldsmith Film Composers Award and receiving two National Endowment for the Arts grants. GameSpot Magazine listed two of his Heroes soundtracks among the all-time top ten computer game scores – a testament to their enduring quality and influence.
| Achievement | Recognition |
|---|---|
| BMI Jerry Goldsmith Award | Film Composers Award Winner |
| National Endowment for the Arts | Two NEA Grants Received |
| GameSpot Magazine | Two Heroes Soundtracks in All-Time Top 10 |
| Symphony No. 1 | Full Symphony Based on Heroes Themes (2008) |
Return to Heroes – Olden Era Announcement
The timing of this GOG interview carries extra significance. In December 2024, it was announced that Romero would return to compose music for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, the upcoming entry in the franchise. He’ll be collaborating with acclaimed composer Cris Velasco, known for his work on God of War, Starcraft II, Borderlands, Bloodborne, and Mass Effect.
The musical team also includes Mateusz Alberski and Heroes Orchestra, who previously worked with Romero on orchestral adaptations of the original soundtracks. This collaboration promises to honor the series’ musical legacy while introducing fresh sounds never heard in previous Heroes games.
Partnership with Rob King
Throughout the interview and his career, Romero frequently mentions his collaboration with Rob King, his music partner and producer for over 24 years. Together, they co-create orchestral, operatic, and choral soundtrack scores, combining Romero’s classical composition skills with King’s production expertise to achieve the distinctive sound that defines the Heroes series.
FAQs
Who is Paul Anthony Romero?
Paul Anthony Romero is an American composer and pianist best known for creating the iconic soundtracks for the Heroes of Might and Magic series. He’s a classically trained musician who studied at prestigious institutions including the Curtis Institute of Music.
How long did it take Romero to compose the first Heroes of Might and Magic soundtrack?
According to the GOG interview, Romero composed the main themes for the first Heroes game in approximately five days. He initially thought it would be a one-time freelance project.
Where can I watch the GOG interview with Paul Romero?
The first episode of the two-part interview is available on GOG’s YouTube channel. It was released on October 7, 2025, as part of the Heroes of Might and Magic 30th anniversary celebration.
What other games has Paul Romero composed music for?
Beyond Heroes of Might and Magic, Romero has composed music for Sony’s EverQuest expansions and has created over 70 original film and video game scores throughout his career.
Is Paul Romero involved in new Heroes of Might and Magic projects?
Yes, Romero was announced in December 2024 as the composer for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, working alongside Cris Velasco and Heroes Orchestra.
Did Paul Romero ever play the Heroes games himself?
This question is addressed in the GOG interview’s first episode, where Romero discusses his personal experience with the games he composed music for.
What makes Romero’s Heroes music so memorable?
The interview explores this topic, with Romero discussing the baroque and classical influences that shaped the soundtracks, particularly his love for Bach’s compositions and his rigorous classical music training.
Conclusion
The GOG interview with Paul Anthony Romero offers fans something rare – direct access to the creative mind behind soundtracks that have become inseparable from the Heroes of Might and Magic experience. From composing the first game’s themes in just five days while working construction jobs to selling out concert halls in Russia, Romero’s journey illustrates how video game music has evolved from background noise to recognized art form. As the series celebrates 30 years and Romero returns to compose for Olden Era, this interview serves as both a retrospective on his remarkable career and a preview of what’s to come. For anyone who has ever felt the pull of those baroque-inspired melodies while conquering fantasy kingdoms, this conversation is essential viewing.