People in today's world seem to have forgotten the joy of singing. Mike Wilson, a former Devolver exec, is on a mission to change that. His latest VR app, Sing, allows users to sing aloud at home alone, offering a unique experience that taps into the physiological benefits of singing.

Unlock the Power of Singing with VR

Understanding the Need to Sing

Research shows that regular singing is beneficial for well-being. However, in our modern society, we often refrain from singing due to the fear of being judged. Wilson realized this during his work on Deepwell. He said, "It just occurred to me that this inherent fear is no reason not to do something we should all do. Those moments in the shower or car when we can truly belt it out are great for us. It's part of what triggers the physiological benefits."

The Sing App - A Gateway to Singing

Sing, from Wilson's new company Realize Music, provides an excuse for people to sing at home as loudly as they want. With over a million songs, lyrics, and visualizations, it focuses on the joy of singing rather than scoring or gamification. As Wilson explained, "We're just leaning into the joy side. It's a forced focus thing; you're not thinking about bills or your boss. People who participate in their music have a much better experience than those who just listen passively."

Unlike Traditional Musical Games

Unlike Rock Band or Just Dance, Sing isn't about the game. It's about completely engaging with the music itself. The extensive library allows users to listen to their favorite songs instead of being forced to listen to a limited number of tracks. Wilson used yoga as an example, saying, "People don't do yoga because of various reasons. But when it became accessible on YouTube and other media, millions signed up. We hope Sing can do the same."

The Immersion of VR

VR may seem an odd choice for a singing app, but Wilson believes in its immersion. He said, "It's good at making you forget where you are. Even if there are people around, you don't care after 45 seconds. And most people do VR in private anyway." Sing is coming to the Meta Quest ecosystem first but will expand to other platforms.

Future Plans and Pricing

The game or platform will cost $10 a month or $100 per year. Wilson acknowledges that this may be a hard sell for some, but he promises more music, worlds, and modes in the future. Multiplayer, like a choir, is also on the roadmap. He said, "There's a lot of reasons why people are stressed these days. Sing is our attempt to help them thrive in an increasingly isolated world."