Devolver cofounder’s ‘last’ project is a VR karaoke app with 1M songs — should gamers care?

Why this VR singing app actually matters

Realize Music: Sing just dropped on Meta Quest promising something karaoke fans and rhythm game diehards have been waiting on for years: a fully licensed, reactive VR singing playground that isn’t just about chasing perfect scores. The headline hook is wild-over one million licensed songs from Universal, Warner, Sony, and Beggars at launch-wrapped in a “singing as wellness” pitch. As someone who lived through the SingStar heyday, hoarded Rock Band DLC, and still boots up Beat Saber, this caught my attention because if they’ve really cracked the licensing and UX, it could be the first VR music app that feels like a bottomless, legal jukebox rather than another pack-by-pack treadmill.

Key takeaways

• Scope is huge: “1M+ licensed tracks” is the boldest catalog claim I’ve seen in a singing game-if the tracks are truly usable with lyric sync and proper mixes.
• Wellness-first design: reactive worlds and gentle metrics over sweaty score-chasing could make this an approachable daily ritual, not just a party trick.
• Flexible access: free previews, à la carte track buys, or a sub ($9.99 for two months, then $14.99/mo or $119.99/yr).
• PC is coming: a Steam version and more platforms are slated for 2026, which could open the door to non-VR mics and easier streaming (rights permitting).

Breaking down what’s new (and what’s different)

Sing isn’t another saber-slicing clone. You use your voice as the controller, stepping into reactive spaces that pulse with your pitch and rhythm. Word-by-word lyric sync aims to keep you on track, and the environments supposedly match each song’s energy—think a touch of Tetris Effect synesthesia, but driven by your vocals. There’s a light layer of structure with user metrics for people who want feedback, but the vibe is more “feel good” than “git gud.” That’s a refreshing lane in VR, where most music apps lean into arm-flailing exertion rather than creativity and decompression.

The catalog claim is the swing-for-the-fences moment. Deals with the three majors plus Beggars Group potentially unlock a ridiculous amount of music across decades and genres with new songs added weekly. If practical reality matches the promise, this leapfrogs the tiny tracklists we see in console karaoke releases and spares us the nickel-and-dime DLC drip. The question is less “do they have songs?” and more “how do you find the right songs in VR without drowning in choice?” Curation, search, playlists, and mood-driven discovery matter more than ever when you have a million options.

The real questions: rights, curation, and hardware quirks

Let’s cut through the hype. Licensing in music games is a hydra. “Licensed” can mean different layers: master recordings, publishing, lyric sync, karaoke mixes, and region-specific performance rights. Artist opt-outs happen. Territories differ. Libraries change. So yes, 1M tracks sounds incredible, but expect gaps, regional quirks, and rotating availability over time—especially if you’re outside the U.S. Before you go all-in on à la carte purchases, I’d want clarity on whether bought tracks are yours for the life of the app or subject to delisting like we’ve seen in Rock Band or Beat Saber DLC.

Then there’s discovery. Browsing a library that large with motion controllers is non-trivial. We don’t need a wall of tiles; we need smart search, “sing this vibe” prompts, and fast re-queueing when friends shout requests. If Sing nails onboarding—suggesting keys within your range, surfacing karaoke-friendly mixes, and saving your warm-up favorites—it could feel magical. If it doesn’t, you’ll spend more time hunting menus than singing.

Hardware-wise, VR singing lives or dies by mic quality and latency. Quest’s built-in mic is fine for voice chat, but karaoke demands clean capture and minimal delay. Bluetooth earbuds on Quest can introduce latency; built-in audio may pick up room noise. I’ll be watching for good noise suppression, clear pitch detection, and options for monitoring your voice without echo. If the 2026 Steam version supports standard USB/XLR interfaces, that could be a big win for streamers and home studio setups.

From SingStar to Smule to VR wellness: why now?

The wellness angle isn’t just window dressing. Singing genuinely can help people unwind—any choir nerd will tell you that—and VR is great at carving out distraction-free spaces. We’ve seen creation-forward music apps in VR (Virtuoso, TribeXR) and the exercise wave (Beat Saber, Pistol Whip). Sing is aiming at the mental reset: a personal stage where your voice paints the room. That fits a wider trend I’ve seen brewing in games—less grind, more nourishment—and it tracks with Mike Wilson’s history championing experiences with heart. If this is his “final major venture,” the thesis makes sense: games that make you feel better, not just busier.

Money talk matters, too. The intro subscription is $9.99 for two months, then $14.99 monthly or $119.99 yearly. That’s in the ballpark of karaoke subscriptions like Smule, but higher than your typical music streaming sub. The difference is you’re paying not just for access, but for lyric sync, reactive visuals, and game features—assuming they deliver robust curation and regular updates. The à la carte option is smart for party buyers who want a few staples without a monthly fee, but long-term library access will likely feel best on the sub.

What gamers should watch for

• Actual track availability in your region at launch and after updates.
• How well the app handles mic latency, voice monitoring, and pitch feedback on Quest hardware.
• Curation quality: smart playlists, mood filters, vocal range suggestions, and quick queueing.
• Party and social features: local pass-the-headset? Online duets? Leaderboards? Not mentioned yet.
• Purchase permanence: do à la carte songs remain if licenses change?
• Streaming rules: even with licenses, streaming rights can be separate—don’t assume it’s DMCA-safe until they say so.

Bottom line: if you love karaoke, need a low-impact VR ritual, or just want a calmer music game after a decade of saber-swinging, Sing is absolutely worth a look on Quest. If you’re a competitive score-chaser or a streamer planning a weekly show, consider waiting to see how the catalog, latency, and platform roadmap shake out—especially with the Steam version penciled in for 2026.

TL;DR

Realize Music: Sing is the most ambitious VR karaoke play yet, blending a massive licensed catalog with reactive, wellness-leaning design. I’m excited by the scope and the “voice-as-gameplay” idea, but I’ve got questions about rights, discovery, and latency. If those land, this could be VR’s first truly great singing platform.