A tradition that began over twenty years ago withMorrowind, Bethesda’s games have long been known for their memorable main themes, and the emphasis on music follows inStarfieldas well. Ever sinceStarfield’sannouncement at E3 2018, fans of Bethesda have been curious about its main melody and how it would measure up against the iconic leitmotifs of theFalloutandElder Scrollsfranchises.
The composer attached toStarfieldis none other than Inon Zur, known for his work in theFalloutandDragon Agegames, as well asPathfinder: Kingmaker.Zur has unquestionably become the favored composer for Bethesda Game Studios in recent years, having scoredThe Elder Scrolls: Blades, as well asFallout 76, and his sharp ideas and infectious enthusiasm for weaving the musical tapestry ofStarfieldis plain to see.
RELATED:Starfield is Leading the Charge with Xbox Game Pass
In the third “Into the Starfield” video, audio director Mark Lampert and composer Inon Zur sit down to discuss the sound of adventure, with a specific emphasis on establishing the overarching musicalidentity ofStarfieldthrough its main theme. From melody to choice of instruments, Inon Zur explains the artistic decisions which yielded the memorable piece of music that has sparked the imagination of fans since 2018.
Simply put,Starfield’smusic evokes a sense of wonder, a yearning to explore; it is an invitation to the stars above, and a call to adventure. It is also a return home. Inon Zur points out that what truly establishesStarfield’sidentity is its cyclical progression at the heart of its main theme: it’s the journey of there and back again.
The instruments – as well as the way that Inon Zur chose to use them – represent the duality of space: from the woodwinds playing a high frequency sequence to the strings playing long chords in contrast.Starfield’sthemepaints a musical picture of both the immeasurable vastness of space, and its most minute and volatile of particles, eternally interwoven together.
This musical identity forStarfieldis sprinkled across the entire game in similar fashion, and according to Mark Lampert, the idea is to take the building blocks of the main theme and hide them through clever sound design in ways that are subconsciously noticeable to the players, thus creating a cohesive atmospheric experience.
If the soundtracks for theFalloutgames are anything to go by, then fans are in for a musical treat on November 11th whenStarfieldis set to launch. As for Inon Zur’s future, one can only hope that his collaboration with Bethesda Game Studios will continue in thenextElder Scrollsgameas well.
Starfieldreleases June 16, 2025, for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
