Mikolai Stroinski (born 3 June 1979 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a Polish composer and music producer renowned for his work in film, television, and video game music. Best known for scoring The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales, and Age of Empires IV, Stroinski has become one of the most influential figures in contemporary game soundtracks.
Early Life and Education
Stroinski grew up in Warsaw and Zalesie Górne, Poland, in a musically gifted family. His father, Wojciech Stroiński, was a trumpeter and pianist with the Royal Rag Jazz Band. Nurtured in a creative environment, Stroinski pursued music seriously, later studying at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. He further honed his craft at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he majored in film scoring and jazz piano, studying under Ray Santisi.
Career
Mikolai Stroinski began his career in 2004, writing for TV and film before expanding into video games. By 2006, he had set up his own studio in Los Angeles, which remains his creative base.
His breakthrough came in 2014 with the critically acclaimed score for The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, which earned him international recognition. Later that year, he also scored the Dark Souls II trailer, proving his versatility.
In 2015, Stroinski’s reputation soared after composing for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, a game often hailed as one of the greatest of all time. His immersive score, blending Slavic folk elements with orchestral grandeur, won multiple awards and shaped the game’s legendary atmosphere.
Since then, Stroinski has composed for numerous high-profile titles including:
- Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (2018)
- Bee Simulator (2019)
- Metamorphosis (2020)
- Chernobylite (2021)
- Age of Empires IV (2021, French civilization)
- Diablo Immortal (2022)
- Nobody Wants to Die (2024)
- Assassin’s Creed Jade (2025)
Beyond games, he has composed for TV series such as The Liberator (2020) and Queen (2022), and films like Over the Limit (2017) and Diplodocus (2024).
Awards and Recognition
Stroinski’s music has earned him global acclaim:
- 2014 Annual Game Music Awards – Best Score (The Vanishing of Ethan Carter)
- 2015 NAVGTR Awards – Original Dramatic Score (The Witcher 3)
- 2015 IGN Best Original Music – Winner (The Witcher 3)
- 2019 Digital Dragons Awards – Best Game Soundtrack (Thronebreaker)
- 2020 Music+Sound Awards – Best Composition (Bee Simulator)
- 2021 Society of Composers & Lyricists Award – Outstanding Score for Interactive Media (Metamorphosis)
- 2022 Canadian Game Awards – Best Score (Age of Empires IV)
By 2024, Polygon described Stroinski as “one of the strongest musical talents in the industry”, a testament to his continued influence.
Legacy
Mikolai Stroinski stands as a leading figure in video game and film composition, bridging cultures through his music. From Kenya to Poland, Boston to Los Angeles, his journey reflects resilience, artistry, and global impact. His ability to merge classical traditions with modern digital soundscapes ensures that his work will continue shaping how audiences experience stories across media.
