Legendary Video Game Composer, Who Was Heavily Inspired by Metallica, Dead at 81
Bobby Prince was a video game composer who worked on iconic games like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D. Only a month ago, the Library of Congress announced the score Prince created for Doom would be preserved in the National Recording Registry.
"The video game Doom brought a heavy metal energy to MS-DOS systems across the globe, while at the same time pioneering the ever-popular first-person shooter genre. Key to Doom's popularity was the adrenaline-fueled soundtrack created by freelance video game music composer Bobby Prince," the Library of Congress stated.
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His music was beloved by many. As reported by Level Up, "Prince's compositional style, often fast-paced, aggressive, and electrifying, drew heavy inspiration from heavy metal. Through his friendship with John Romero, he was introduced to the music of Alice in Chains, Pantera, and Metallica, whose raw energy heavily informed the iconic soundscapes he created for Doom."
According to a statement released by his family, Prince died peacefully on June 16, 2026. In their eulogy, they explained that the composer had a love of music that started when he was young.
"During his youth and early adulthood, he performed with many talented musicians and bands throughout the Athens music community," they explained. "Music remained a constant thread throughout his life and was shared with family, lifelong friends, and fellow musicians. Bobby served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a platoon leader. Following his military service, he pursued careers in counseling and law before ultimately becoming one of the pioneering composers and sound designers in the video game industry."
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The family continued, "His innovative work helped define an era of gaming and influenced generations of players around the world. Through his compositions and sound design for landmark titles including Doom, Doom II, Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, and Duke Nukem 3D, Bobby helped establish video game music as a respected art form. In 2005, the Video Game Industry honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award."
Prince is survived by his wife, two sons, and a granddaughter as well as extended family. As they stated, "Bobby Prince's Legacy lives on through his music... His love lives on through our hearts."
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 7:35 AM.