Tuning Immersion and Performance with Adaptive Generative Music in VR

Music in virtual environments often enhances atmosphere and pacing, not performance. AI/procedural audio enable real-time adaptive soundtracks, but their behavioral effects in HMD-VR are unclear. We built a VR archery system with Unity, Google MusicFXDJ, Ubiq-Genie generating music from gameplay events. In a within-subjects study (N=22), participants shot with a matched fixed soundtrack or an adaptive one that raised tension in four phases as arrows ran out. Adaptive music increased presence and emotional impact and produced an inverted-U on precision: moderate tension improved accuracy and aiming time; high tension impaired both. AI music can act as feedback for VR training/rehab/entertainment.