2026 AES 6th International Conference on Audio for Virtual and Augmented Reality and Immersive Games
The AVARIG2026 conference is an initiative stemming from the continuation of the foundational AVAR conference series with a new added focus on Immersive Gaming, resulting in a joint AVAR/Audio for Gaming conference under the new AES TC Immersive Media and Gaming.
For the first time, AVAR, the reference conference in audio for XR, will be in Europe, and we are very proud to be able to host this conference in France. The venue will be split between Sorbonne University Jussieu campus (days 1 and 2) and IRCAM/STMS (days 3and 4), which are separated by a 30min walk in the heart of Paris.
The conference is structured as a mix of single and dual track sessions, providing a forum for these two communities to meet, interact, and find common ground.
Notification of acceptance
March 24, 2026
Final manuscript
April 28, 2026
Submission
May 26, 2026
Conference
June 30 – July 3, 2026
Submission Site & Templates
Submission site: EasyChair (available January 2026).
Templates: Word and LaTeX (in preparation). AES employs blind review.
Call for Papers
Paper Chairs: Areti Andreopoulou and Olivier Warusfel.
Peer Reviewed Papers (Category 1):
- Complete manuscript of 8–10 pages (page limits strictly enforced)
- Reviewed by at least two experts
- Authors will be notified of acceptance
Abstract/Precis (Category 2):
- Extended summary of 300–750 words
- Reviewed by at least two experts
- If accepted, full paper of 4–8 pages mandatory for inclusion in the program; submissions without full paper will be removed
Call for Workshops & Tutorials
Workshop/Tutorial Chairs: Benoît Alary & T.B.D.
We are seeking experts and professionals involved in audio for virtual and augmented reality, immersive audio gaming, as well as those engaged in other areas of professional audio to participate in workshops, tutorials, and masterclasses. These sessions aim to cover a range of topics related to virtual and augmented reality and immersive game audio, including research and implementation, recording, production, and content creation.
Proposal requirements:
- Title
- Abstract (60–120 words)
- Description (400–500 words)
- Number and names of presenters
- Presentation format (single presenter, panel discussion, etc.)
- Preferred duration
- Technical requirements (sound requirements during the presentation, such as stereo, binaural, HOA, multichannel, etc.)
Conference co-chairs
Brian F.G. Katz
CNRS Research Director at Sorbonne Université, Institute d’Alembert.
Interested in 3D spatial audio, room acoustics, HCI, and VR; physics/philosophy background; PhD in acoustics (1998) and HDR in engineering sciences (2011); consultant to Artec, ARUP, Kahle Acoustics, Theatre Projects, and Studio Jouan; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the AES (Oct 2025).
Markus Noisternig
Deputy Director of the STMS Laboratory (IRCAM–CNRS–Sorbonne Université–Ministry of Culture)
Researcher in acoustics and audio signal processing (Acoustics and Cognitive Spaces); lectures at IEM Graz, Sorbonne Université, ENS Louis‑Lumière, and TALM–Le Mans; bridges experimental music and 3D audio, with work shown at music festivals.
Proposed Topics
- 3D audio mixing and content production
- 6DoF navigable spatial audio / soundfield interpolation
- Acoustic simulation of immersive audio environments
- Audio analysis and synthesis
- Audio capture and synthesis for immersive soundfields and applications
- Audio Everywhere: From Enterprise and Broadcast to Cross-Platform VR
- Audio for location-based installations (entertainment, exhibits)
- Audio for mobile and handheld devices / interactive sound (implementation focused)
- Audio signal processing
- Auditory rendering platforms / loudspeakers & headphones (device-specific focus)
- Audio signal processing
- Binaural audio rendering / reproduction
- Cross-modal interaction (sound + image + haptics)
- Developing audio standards for VR/AR applications
- Game engines in audio production and post-production
- Immersive / interactive sound design
- Immersive and interactive audio over networks
- Audio signal processing
- Immersive audio codecs (for interactive / real-time playback in games)
- Immersive sound production techniques for remote work
- Machine learning, deep learning, or AI for audio
- Music composition for immersive media
- Perception and subjective evaluation of spatial / immersive audio
- Perceptual effects of cross-modal interaction in immersive game contexts
- Room Acoustics Identification
- Sound effects / production techniques / Future production workflows
- Spatial audio (3D audio, ambisonics, object-based)
- Spatial audio quality, compression, streaming, and latency
- Transparent hearing applications and hardware
- Virtual / Augmented / Mixed Reality applications (case studies)
- Virtual environment modelling (synthetic sound fields, reverberation)
Conference Publication
Accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings and published online in the AES E-Library no earlier than ten days before the conference begins. AES Conference and Convention papers are also indexed in Scopus.
Open Access
Authors may request Open Access for their papers. For associated fees and further information, please visit http://www.aes.org/openaccess/.
AES Journal Special Issue
The Journal of the Audio Engineering Society will host a Special Issue linked to AVARIG26. Extended versions of conference papers must contain at least 30 % new material compared to the proceedings manuscript. The Organizing Committee is negotiating a reduced Open Access fee for the Special Issue as a whole.
Registration
Registration is strictly limited to 250 attendees.
Presenting Authors:
- Fee: AES Member USD 488 – Student USD 150 (subject to sponsorship)
- Includes one primary paper (oral or poster) plus one secondary poster
- Maximum of two presentations per presenting author
- Registration instructions sent with acceptance notice
Co-Authors: Must register separately via the public registration website
Workshop & Tutorial Presenters:
- Fee: USD 325
- Registration details provided with acceptance notification
Looking for additional sponsors. If interested, please contact the conference
co-chairs : brian.katz@aes.org