Brighton computer game experts have become some of the first in the world to use groundbreaking technology which will make music in games as important as film soundtracks.

Programmers at Wide Games have been using the new technology to create interactive tunes which will change according to the on-screen action.

The pace, tone and style of music will adapt to players' actions in games.

They have worked with Microsoft's DirectMusic product to produce in-game music which will never repeat itself.

The programmers have even pledged to add music which never repeats itself to websites.

Wide Games managing director Ed Daly said: "It will be like having an improvised pianist on a user's machine."

They have become so confident their games music will be a hit they have created a whole new division, Wide Sounds, to sell their services.

Mr Daly said it was difficult to find staff with the right mix of technical and musical abilities.

"It's a different way of working musically.

"You never know what order things will be played in and how they'll sound."

Computer game music will hit the headlines later this year when Sony releases Vib Ribbon for the PlayStation.

The game has fascinated players at gaming shows by changing according to music CDs played through the PlayStation.

But Wide Games staff said they will produce games which are even more advanced.

The firm is working on soundtracks for high-profile games for the PC, PlayStation2 and Microsoft's forthcoming X-Box console.

It has teamed up with new media sounds firm Brandaudio, whose launch was recently featured in evolution.

www.widegames.com