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Stewart Copeland Declines to Score New Spyro Game, Citing Need for Modern Sound
Stewart Copeland, the former drummer of The Police who crafted the memorable scores for the original Spyro the Dragon trilogy, has confirmed in a recent interview that he will not be returning to compose the music for the upcoming Spyro: A Realm Beyond, slated for a Spring 2027 launch.
The new Spyro title was unveiled at the June 2026 Xbox Games Showcase. Developed by Toys for Bob—the studio behind the 2018 Spyro Reignited Trilogy—the game will debut on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC. While the reveal highlighted a fresh world and a redesigned Spyro, it offered little insight into the soundtrack.
In an interview with The Independent, Copeland clarified that his 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.” Other sources echo that the developers are pursuing a fresh musical direction.
Copeland’s work on the original trilogy, which began with Spyro the Dragon in 1998, earned widespread praise for its catchy themes and energetic rhythms. He composed the scores for Spyro the Dragon, Ripto’s Rage!, and Year of the Dragon, and also contributed to Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly. The music helped define the series’ playful tone and remains a favorite among fans.
After The Police disbanded in 1984, Copeland transitioned to composing for film and television, scoring titles such as Wall Street and Men at Work. He also wrote music for video games, most notably the Spyro series, and has produced pieces for ballet, opera, and orchestra.
Toys for Bob, the developer of the new game, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “We’re excited to bring Spyro back to a new generation of players,” said a company spokesperson. “The game stays true to the spirit of the original trilogy while offering fresh gameplay and visuals.” The studio has yet to announce a composer for the new title.
The Spyro franchise has a long history. Insomniac Games originally created the trilogy for PlayStation, selling nearly five million copies worldwide. After the third game, Insomniac lost development rights, and the series went dormant until 2008. The 2018 Spyro Reignited Trilogy, a remake of the original games, sold over 11 million units by June 2026 and remains the best‑selling entry in the series.
Choosing a new composer for Spyro: A Realm Beyond reflects a broader industry trend, where legacy franchises refresh their soundtracks to appeal to contemporary audiences. While Copeland’s absence may disappoint longtime fans, the developers have indicated that the new music will aim to capture the series’ core identity while offering a modern listening experience.
As the release date approaches, the gaming community will watch closely to see how the new soundtrack complements the updated gameplay and visuals. The Spyro series continues to be a touchstone for platformers, and its evolution will be of interest to both fans and industry observers.
The next Spyro game’s music will be released alongside the title in Spring 2027. Until then, the legacy of Stewart Copeland’s original compositions remains a defining element of the franchise’s history.
The new Spyro title was unveiled at the June 2026 Xbox Games Showcase. Developed by Toys for Bob—the studio behind the 2018 Spyro Reignited Trilogy—the game will debut on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC. While the reveal highlighted a fresh world and a redesigned Spyro, it offered little insight into the soundtrack.
In an interview with The Independent, Copeland clarified that his 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.” Other sources echo that the developers are pursuing a fresh musical direction.
Copeland’s work on the original trilogy, which began with Spyro the Dragon in 1998, earned widespread praise for its catchy themes and energetic rhythms. He composed the scores for Spyro the Dragon, Ripto’s Rage!, and Year of the Dragon, and also contributed to Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly. The music helped define the series’ playful tone and remains a favorite among fans.
After The Police disbanded in 1984, Copeland transitioned to composing for film and television, scoring titles such as Wall Street and Men at Work. He also wrote music for video games, most notably the Spyro series, and has produced pieces for ballet, opera, and orchestra.
Toys for Bob, the developer of the new game, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “We’re excited to bring Spyro back to a new generation of players,” said a company spokesperson. “The game stays true to the spirit of the original trilogy while offering fresh gameplay and visuals.” The studio has yet to announce a composer for the new title.
The Spyro franchise has a long history. Insomniac Games originally created the trilogy for PlayStation, selling nearly five million copies worldwide. After the third game, Insomniac lost development rights, and the series went dormant until 2008. The 2018 Spyro Reignited Trilogy, a remake of the original games, sold over 11 million units by June 2026 and remains the best‑selling entry in the series.
Choosing a new composer for Spyro: A Realm Beyond reflects a broader industry trend, where legacy franchises refresh their soundtracks to appeal to contemporary audiences. While Copeland’s absence may disappoint longtime fans, the developers have indicated that the new music will aim to capture the series’ core identity while offering a modern listening experience.
As the release date approaches, the gaming community will watch closely to see how the new soundtrack complements the updated gameplay and visuals. The Spyro series continues to be a touchstone for platformers, and its evolution will be of interest to both fans and industry observers.
The next Spyro game’s music will be released alongside the title in Spring 2027. Until then, the legacy of Stewart Copeland’s original compositions remains a defining element of the franchise’s history.