ABSTRACT
Virtual reality technology offers new opportunities for the creation of immersive historical experiences. With these new opportunities comes new problems. One potentially problematic aspect of immersion within virtual reality is authenticity: the user's belief that the virtuality they perceive would exist in reality. This chapter examines challenges to authenticity within the sound design of virtual reality environments. These challenges emerge from technical considerations, such as technological mediatisation of sound, and practical considerations, such as audience subjectivity. In drawing on research into sound design, sound technology, historical re-creation, and other related topics, possible ways to negotiate authenticity within virtual reality are suggested and reasonable expectations for authentic sound design in virtual reality are established.
