Bobby Prince, Composer for Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, Dies at 81
10 reported
Bobby Prince, the video game composer known for scoring titles including Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, has died at age 81. Prince’s family confirmed his death, stating he “passed peacefully into Heaven’s Musical Gates on June 16, 2026,” with no cause of death provided. His family noted in a Legacy.com obituary that his work helped define an era of gaming and influenced generations of players worldwide. Prince’s death comes one month after the Library of Congress announced that his Doom score would be preserved in the National Recording Registry. id Software, the company behind the Doom and Wolfenstein series, paid tribute on social media, calling Prince a “video game music pioneer.” Prince, who also worked as a lawyer, composed for Doom, Doom II, Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, Duke Nukem 3D, and other titles, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Video Game Industry in 2005.
What’s reported
Bobby Prince died at age 81 on June 16, 2026, according to his family.
No cause of death was provided.
Prince’s family described his work as helping define an era of gaming and influencing generations of players.
The Library of Congress announced in May 2026 that Prince’s Doom score would be preserved in the National Recording Registry.
id Software called Prince a “video game music pioneer” in a social media post.
Prince received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Video Game Industry in 2005.
Prince was a lifelong musician and practicing lawyer who graduated from law school.
He composed for Doom, Doom II, Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, Duke Nukem II, Duke Nukem 3D, and the 2014 game Wrack.
For Doom, Prince took inspiration from CDs loaned by game designer John Romero, including works by Alice in Chains, Pantera, and Metallica.
Prince used his knowledge of MIDI to assign sound effects to different frequencies so they could cut through the music.
Key figures
Bobby Prince, video game composer and lawyer
John Romero, chief designer of Doom (mentioned as loaning CDs to Prince)
id Software, company behind Doom and Wolfenstein series (mentioned in social media tribute)
Sources: Rolling Stone
