Music in games, like in film, can help to accentuate moments of despair or emotional climax. An audio score will help to trigger memories, or lengthen or deepen emotion.

As a result, the soundtrack and audio of games is now a very important consideration for developers in order to deliver an immersive and engaging experience for the player. Fallout 3, the eagerly anticipated title from Bethesda is the latest in a stream of titles that is receiving a helping hand in the audio department, courtesy of composer Inon Zur.

Games which use theatrical music exceptionally well to deepen or convey the mood are rare. The first thing that immediately comes to mind for me is the music in the background of BioShock. When first entering Rapture the player is met with a grand entry piece accented by a stab of melancholy as a string concerto penetrates the composition, presenting Rapture as a once Utopian dream now bleak with sorrow.

Having worked previously on Crysis, Everquest II, Lineage II, Prince of Persia: Rival Swords, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and a plethora of other titles, Zur is keen to share his creation with gamers:

Fallout 3 is one of the most engaging and demanding projects I've scored. It was very rewarding to put all my creative energy into supporting Bethesda's vision for the game. I'm very proud of the outcome, and look forward to sharing the music with the players.

Todd Howard, executive producer of Fallout 3 is very happy with the score delivered from Zur:

He brings so much to the table, in terms of his talent, background, and the music that's influenced him. He's created a score that has epic sweep; from the lonely ambience of the wasteland to dramatic fights for survival.

Given Zur's experience on Baldur's Gate II, it will be interesting to see how the style will transfer to Fallout's harsh radioactive wasteland. Will the juxtaposition of radioactive abyss and finely composed music clash or will it meld well? We'll just have to wait for the fallout to see.