Stewart Copeland Declines to Score New Spyro Game, Says Modern Sound Needed

Stewart Copeland, the former drummer of The Police and composer of the original Spyro the Dragon trilogy, confirmed in a recent interview that he will not be returning to score the upcoming Spyro title, Spyro: A Realm Beyond. The game was unveiled at the June 2026 Xbox Games Showcase and is slated for a spring 2027 release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Copeland’s music helped define the first three Spyro games released for the original PlayStation in 1998–2000. His distinctive drum‑based style and melodic sensibilities were praised by critics and fans alike, and the scores remain a hallmark of the franchise’s nostalgic appeal.

Spyro: A Realm Beyond is the first original Spyro game in roughly twenty years. Developed by Toys for Bob, the studio that produced the 2018 Spyro Reignited Trilogy, the title promises new flight physics, a redesigned character, and a fresh world for the purple dragon. Voice actor Tom Kenny returns to portray Spyro, and the game will be published by Activision.

In an interview with The Independent, Copeland explained that the decision was not personal. "It happens that way," he said. "It’s a new generation. They want a new generation of sound and everything… they’ve got to modernise it. No harm, no foul." The comments suggest that the creative team is seeking a composer whose style aligns with contemporary gaming soundtracks.

The Xbox Showcase revealed only limited details about the game’s audio direction. Toys for Bob expressed enthusiasm for delivering a title that feels true to the original trilogy while offering modern gameplay and visual polish. The studio has not yet announced who will handle the new score.

Industry observers note that the choice to bring in a new composer is not uncommon when a franchise returns after a long hiatus. The original Spyro games were scored by Copeland, but the 2018 Reignited Trilogy featured a mix of original tracks and new arrangements by other composers. The upcoming title will likely follow a similar pattern.

As of now, the only confirmed information about the game’s soundtrack is that Copeland will not be involved. No replacement composer has been named, and no additional audio details have been released by Toys for Bob or Activision.

The announcement of Spyro: A Realm Beyond and Copeland’s decision to step away from the franchise highlight the evolving nature of video‑game music production. While the original trilogy’s music remains iconic, the new generation of players and developers may favor a different sonic approach.

In summary, Stewart Copeland has confirmed that he will not compose music for Spyro: A Realm Beyond. The game, announced at the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase, will launch in spring 2027 across major platforms and is developed by Toys for Bob. The studio has yet to reveal the new composer, and no further audio details are available.