Deserves more drama than a shuffled playlist.

We like a bit of Empire: Total War in these parts, but even the keenest gamer finds their precious time interrupted by such mundane concerns as study, employment, and cleaning the bathroom before housemates nail your bedroom door shut and then set it on fire. Just because you're away from the site of your mighty conquests doesn't mean you have to forget about them, since the orchestral strains of the Empire: Total War Official Soundtrack floating through your workplace will no doubt inspire productivity. How convenient that it will be released this week!

The single CD features performances from the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, recorded in Bratislava. Orchestration and conducting comes courtesy of Nic Raine, who has a previous gaming soundtrack credit on Viking: Battle for Asgard, alongside the soundtrack's lead composer and producer, Richard Beddow, who had the following to say regarding the creation of the score:

"Undertaking the challenge of the music production for Empire: Total War was no simple task ... The game needed music to convey its size and breadth, covering the various countries at war, delicately accompanying campaign gameplay and underpinning the various cinematics and events in the game."

The Empire: Total War Official Soundtrack will be released on June 30th, and will be available via the iTunes Store as well as on disc at retail thanks to distributors Sumthing Else, although you'll probably need to organise a special order for that option.