RedOctane Studios, founded by veterans of the Guitar Hero series, has revealed Stage Tour, a spiritual successor set for release in fall 2026. The game revives the classic five-fret note highway and includes customizable band members. It promises ongoing updates based on community input.
RedOctane Studios emerged last August from former Guitar Hero developers aiming to revive the rhythm game genre. The studio unveiled Stage Tour during IGN Fan Fest 2026 via a reveal trailer that highlighted its core features.
Stage Tour builds on Guitar Hero's legacy with the familiar five-fret note highway, allowing players to customize their band members. Unlike one-time releases, the game is designed as a platform with continuous updates influenced by community feedback to prolong its relevance.
Players can use standard controllers or keyboards, broadening accessibility beyond specialized peripherals. RedOctane has secured a multi-year partnership with Gibson to produce authentic controllers inspired by Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer instruments.
Simon Ebejer, head of RedOctane Games, stated, “Stage Tour is our love letter to rhythm gaming. We want Stage Tour to feel familiar and authentic, but also fresh, utilizing modern technology to connect gamers with the music they love and to provide a platform that evolves over time.” He added, “With new instruments and deep charting systems, we’re raising the bar on what we believe a rhythm game can be, while also catering to those who wish to simply enjoy a casual experience and have a good time.”
Development is progressing well, with a confirmed PC launch on Steam. Releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch remain unconfirmed at this stage.
