Mike Wilson, former executive at Devolver, has embarked on a new venture to promote wellness through singing. His latest project, Sing, is a VR app that allows users to belt out their favorite tunes in the comfort of their own homes, free from judgment. The app, launched by Wilson's startup Realize Music, aims to tap into the scientifically-proven benefits of singing for mental and physical well-being.

Wilson's inspiration for Sing stems from his research on gaming and wellness for his previous startup, Deepwell. He discovered that singing regularly can have a profound impact on our overall health, but our modern society's fear of being judged often holds us back from expressing ourselves through song. "It just occurred to me that this inherent fear we all have of being judged for our voices is no reason not to do this thing that we should all do," Wilson explained in an interview with TechCrunch.

Sing is designed to provide a safe space for users to sing without fear of criticism or competition. The app features a vast library of over a million songs, complete with lyrics and visualizations, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in the music. Unlike other musical games, Sing focuses solely on the joy of singing, with no scoring, sharing, or gamification elements to distract from the experience. Instead, users receive positive visual feedback for singing or even just humming along, encouraging them to let loose and have fun.

Wilson draws parallels between Sing and the rise of at-home yoga practices, which became popular through online classes and tutorials. He hopes that Sing can replicate this success, making singing a more accessible and comfortable activity for people of all backgrounds. "We're trying to remove any barriers that would put people back in a place of shame or judgment, even judging yourself," Wilson said.

The choice of VR as the initial platform may seem unusual, but Wilson believes it's ideal for Sing. The immersive nature of VR helps users forget their surroundings and focus solely on the music, making it easier to overcome their inhibitions. While the VR experience is the most pure and focused, Realize Music plans to expand Sing to other platforms, including mobile, consoles, and PC, to make it as widely available as possible.

Sing will be available for $10 a month or $100 per year, a pricing model that may appeal to some but could be a harder sell for others. However, Wilson is confident that the app's benefits will speak for themselves, and he's committed to continually updating and expanding the platform. Multiplayer features, including co-operative singing, are already on the roadmap, promising to further enhance the Sing experience.

In a world where people are increasingly feeling isolated and disconnected, Wilson sees Sing as a way to promote unity and self-expression. "There's a lot of reasons why people are coming undone these days," he said. "So that's where I've tried to focus my efforts – in finding out how we can thrive in an increasingly isolated world."

With Sing, Realize Music is poised to make a significant impact on the gaming and wellness industries. By providing a unique and engaging platform for users to express themselves through music, Wilson's startup may just help people find their voice – and their sense of well-being – in the process.