The Man Behind the Magic
When people remember Heroes of Might and Magic, they don’t just remember the strategy gameplay or the beautiful isometric graphics – they remember the music. Those iconic themes have lived in gamers’ heads for three decades because Paul Anthony Romero knew something fundamental about game composition: the music isn’t background noise. It’s half the experience. Since 1995, when the very first Heroes of Might and Magic launched, Romero has been the sonic architect of this legendary franchise, composing every major entry in the series. His work has become so integral to the Heroes identity that it’s impossible to imagine the games without his orchestral fingerprints.
Classical Training Meets Digital Worlds
Romero’s path to becoming gaming’s most celebrated composer is unusual. He taught himself piano and composition by age three, then formalized his training through prestigious institutions. He studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia under Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ned Rorem. He trained at the Ecole de Beaux Arts at Chateau de Fontainebleau in France and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. His teachers and mentors connected him to centuries of musical tradition – his first piano teacher was a student of Alexandre Siloti, who was a pupil of Franz Liszt. That classical lineage flows directly into his game compositions.
When Romero began composing for Heroes of Might and Magic, he brought that classical training into the digital space. The Barbarian theme from the original Heroes game, which Romero considers one of his favorite pieces, is structured like a Bach or Vivaldi composition. It doesn’t sound like video game music from 1995 – it sounds like classical music that happens to exist in a video game. That’s by design. Romero consciously treated game soundtracks as orchestral works deserving the same compositional rigor as symphonies.
Evolution Through the Decades
What makes Romero remarkable is how his compositional voice evolved while remaining recognizable. The first Heroes games featured Baroque-inspired orchestral themes. Heroes of Might and Magic V, released much later, embraced early 20th-century Russian composers like Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. Instead of repeating the same formula, Romero expanded his musical palette while keeping the Heroes identity intact. This evolution shows a composer unafraid to take risks while respecting what came before.
Over three decades, Romero has composed soundtracks for the original Might and Magic series, all mainline Heroes entries, and countless expansions. His work extends beyond Heroes too – he scored EverQuest expansions and other gaming projects. Yet Heroes remains his magnum opus. GameSpot Magazine’s All-Time Top Ten Computer Game Scores list includes two Heroes soundtracks composed by Romero. He won the BMI Jerry Goldsmith Film Composers Award and received two National Endowment for the Arts grants.
From Soundtracks to Symphonies
The success of the Heroes soundtracks inspired Romero to create something unprecedented – a full symphony based on his video game themes. His Symphony No. 1, titled simply “Heroes,” was completed in 2008 and uses the best musical themes from his Heroes compositions as source material. It’s a legitimate classical composition that could stand in concert halls alongside traditional symphonies, yet every theme originated from a video game.
This symphony represents Romero’s philosophy: game music deserves the same respect as concert music. In 2008, that was still a radical idea in many circles. Game composers were often treated as secondary to film composers. Romero’s decision to elevate his work to the concert hall said something profound – these compositions matter. They belong in the same conversation as great orchestral music, period.
Living Legacy at 30 Years
As Heroes of Might and Magic approaches its 30th anniversary in 2025, Romero remains actively involved. In October, a YouTube channel released a 20-minute exclusive interview where Romero discussed his musical journey and the stories behind iconic themes. Ubisoft released a documentary called “Legacy of Heroes” celebrating the franchise’s history and Romero’s irreplaceable role in it.
Most significantly, Romero is returning to compose for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, the community-driven spiritual successor to Heroes III developed by Unfrozen. Joining forces with acclaimed composer Cris Velasco and the Heroes Orchestra – a professional ensemble dedicated to performing game music in orchestral format – Romero is ensuring that even the next chapter of this storied franchise carries his musical DNA. The fact that he’s still actively composing at this career stage speaks volumes about his passion and the franchise’s commitment to honoring its musical roots.
Impact on Gaming Culture
Paul Romero didn’t just compose music for games – he elevated the entire medium’s relationship with orchestral composition. He proved that video game music could achieve the same artistic sophistication as film scores. His work influenced how composers approach game soundtracks today. When modern AAA games feature full orchestras, that’s partly because Romero showed it was possible back in 1995.
More importantly, Romero helped establish that game music matters to player experience. Developers and publishers now understand that a great soundtrack isn’t a luxury – it’s essential. Characters remember Heroes by its music as much as its gameplay. That’s Romero’s lasting contribution to gaming culture.
FAQs About Paul Romero
How long has Paul Romero been composing for Heroes of Might and Magic?
Paul Romero has been the primary composer for the Heroes franchise since the original game’s 1995 release. That’s three decades of continuous work on the series, making him the definitive voice of Heroes music.
What are Paul Romero’s most famous compositions?
The Barbarian theme from the original Heroes of Might and Magic is Romero’s personal favorite. Other iconic compositions include themes for various heroes, towns, and regions across the series. Multiple themes from his Heroes soundtracks were recognized in GameSpot’s All-Time Top Ten Computer Game Scores.
Has Paul Romero’s musical style changed over the years?
Yes. Early Heroes games featured Baroque-inspired orchestration similar to Bach and Vivaldi. Later entries like Heroes V drew from early 20th-century Russian composers like Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. Romero evolved his style while maintaining the Heroes identity, showing growth rather than stagnation.
Did Paul Romero compose music for other games?
Yes. Romero scored several EverQuest expansions from Planes of Power to Dragons of Norrath. He’s worked on other gaming projects, but Heroes remains his primary focus and the work he’s most known for.
What is the Heroes Symphony?
In 2008, Romero completed Symphony No. 1, titled “Heroes,” which is based on themes from his Heroes of Might and Magic compositions. It’s a full orchestral symphony using video game-originated melodies as source material, bringing game music into the concert hall.
Is Paul Romero still composing?
Yes. As of 2025, Romero is actively composing for Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era alongside composer Cris Velasco. He recently gave a 20-minute interview discussing his 30-year journey with the franchise, showing he remains engaged and passionate about his work.
Where can I listen to Paul Romero’s music?
His soundtracks are available on streaming platforms, YouTube, and SoundCloud. A complete CD soundtrack collection from the Heroes series was released by Ubisoft in January 2008. The Heroes Orchestra also performs his compositions at live concerts and releases recordings.
What awards has Paul Romero won?
Romero won the BMI Jerry Goldsmith Film Composers Award and received two National Endowment for the Arts grants. He’s been featured in GameSpot’s All-Time Top Ten Computer Game Scores and is recognized as one of gaming’s greatest composers.
Conclusion
Paul Romero’s 30-year journey with Heroes of Might and Magic represents something increasingly rare in modern gaming – artistic consistency and long-term creative vision. While franchises change hands between studios and publishers, Romero remained the constant, the musical anchor that connected all eras of Heroes. His symphonic approach to game composition elevated the entire medium. More than that, he proved that video game music could stand alongside classical composition without apology. As Heroes approaches its 30th anniversary and embarks on new chapters with Olden Era, Romero’s influence ensures the series never loses its musical soul. That’s the legacy of the maestro behind the magic.