When you’re traversing the expanses of a massive, free-roaming game, it’s important to have a good, adaptable soundtrack — and for Morrowind and its successor Oblivion, publisher Bethesda Softworks hired a master: Jeremy Soule. While rumors abounded that Soule would score Fallout 3 as well, we’ve learned today that Bethesda has instead left the project in the hands of Inon Zur.
Most recently famous for scoring the PC shooter Crysis, Zur’s resume includes a host of game sequels (Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, Icewind Dale II) and expansions (Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Soulstorm, EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark), as well as movie trailers and kids shows. Interestingly, he also composed for cinematics in the indefinitely postponed StarCraft: Ghost.
You can peruse the rest of his resume, and listen to a sample of the score for Crysis, at his official website.
So why not Jeremy Soule? Probably because he’s too busy scoring Duke Nukem Forever…
UPDATE 5.8.08: Right before slapping myself upside the head, I noticed today that some of Zur’s completed Fallout 3 music is already available online, and so there’s no need to theorize based on his Crysis work alone.
Press release with obligatory optimistic quotes:
May 7, 2008 (Rockville, MD) - Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax Media company, announced today that Inon Zur has created the original musical score for Bethesda Softworks’ highly anticipated post-apocalyptic video game, Fallout® 3. Zur, an award-winning composer, has created numerous scores for films, television, and new media.
“We’ve wanted to work with Inon for a long time,” said Todd Howard executive producer of Fallout 3. “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.”
Fallout 3 features one of the most realized game worlds ever created. Create any kind of character you want and explore the open wastes of post-apocalyptic Washington, D.C. Every minute is a fight for survival as you encounter Super Mutants, Ghouls, Raiders, and other dangers of the Wasteland.
“Fallout 3 is one of the most engaging and demanding projects I’ve scored,” said Inon Zur. “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.”
In addition to scoring a number of best-selling video games, Zur’s music has been featured in many high-profile projects including Hollywood film trailers, network television productions, CGI movies, and symphony concerts. Most recently, Zur has composed music for CBS’ ‘Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side’ TV webisode series as well as the Marvel Kids webisodes for ‘IRON MAN’.
Currently under development at Bethesda Game Studios – creators of award-winning The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, the 2006 Game of the Year – Fallout 3 is slated for release this Fall on Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.
Fallout® 3 has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information on Fallout 3, visit http://fallout.bethsoft.com.
For more information on Inon Zur visit http://www.inonzur.com/.
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