While it has been popular for quite some time on the other side of the world, especially Japan, the production and distribution of video game soundtracks for public consumption in North America has not really been done on any scale. Aside from Electronic Arts' not-so-recent creation of EA Trax and the subsequent availability of those tracks for download via the publisher's own music label partnership, Artwerk, and other online stores (Mirror's Edge remix soundtrack anyone?), most other publishers have not made much of an effort to make their games' music available outside of those games. Until now.

Correction (May 13th): We received notice from the folks at Sumthing Else today. From what they tell us, the company has actually been producing and distributing video game soundtracks, including music from SEGA, Microsoft, Eidos, Ubisoft and more,since its creation in the late 1990s. Some of those soundtracks even include the Halo franchise, Red Steel, the Gears of War franchise and more. So, as it turns out, we were completely off on our introduction.

That situation changes with yesterday's announcement from Capcom that it has partnered with Sumthing Else Music Works to release original soundtrack albums for its best-selling franchises including Resident Evil, Dead Rising, Street Fighter, Monster Hunter and even Bionic Commando.

"We are very excited to partner with Capcom in bringing their video game soundtracks to the North American market," said Andy Uterano, President of Sumthing Else Music Works. "Our mission as a label is to support and enhance the lifestyle experience of the gamer by offering the latest and greatest soundtracks so they can enjoy and revisit their favorite gaming moments through the music."

Under the terms of the agreement, Sumthing Else Music Works will license Capcom's catalog for distribution on digital and physical formats in North America. Sumthing Distribution will distribute real CDs while digital copies of the albums will be available for download via Sumthing Digital at www.sumthingdigital.com and iTunes.

Yesterday's announcement includes Bionic Commando, Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV, Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop, Dark Void, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Spyborgs. Capcom will be announcing the release dates for the albums in the near future.