No new Guitar Hero game was announced as part of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Phil Spencer described revisiting older franchises as a possibility dependent on what the development teams want—not as a confirmed Guitar Hero project. The acquisition puts the franchise within Xbox’s wider portfolio, but it does not establish a reboot, release date, platform lineup, or Game Pass arrival.
Did Microsoft announce a new Guitar Hero?
No. Microsoft welcomed Activision Blizzard King to Xbox on October 13, 2023, but the announcement did not name a new Guitar Hero game. Spencer recalled playing Guitar Hero with his family in a welcome message; that was a personal memory, not a project announcement. He also spoke generally about bringing franchises to Game Pass and other platforms, without confirming Guitar Hero for either.
In an interview around the acquisition close, Spencer was asked directly about bringing back Guitar Hero or Tony Hawk. He said Xbox would start by spending time with the teams and understanding what they were passionate about. He described franchise returns as an opportunity, then clarified: “There’s not a plan for that.” In context, he was discussing the idea of revisiting franchises, not announcing a Guitar Hero plan. Microsoft’s acquisition welcome and Spencer’s interview support a possibility, not a commitment.
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick’s October 13, 2023 employee message called Guitar Hero an influential franchise and referred to new resources and opportunities for teams after joining Microsoft. It did not announce a revival. Likewise, Microsoft’s acquisition announcement spoke broadly about Activision Blizzard games reaching more players and platforms, without singling out Guitar Hero. Microsoft’s acquisition announcement is not a game-specific confirmation.
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- MULTI-PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY: Compatible with PC, PC handhelds, Nintendo Switch 1|2, Android devices, including Smart TVs, tablets, mobile devices, and cloud streaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Luna.
- KEYJAM MODE: (Mode 9) transforms the guitar controller into a keyboard and mouse, enabling seamless compatibility with Fortnite Festival on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Powered by CRKD’s KEYJAM Mapping feature, the fret buttons, strum bar, and other inputs are mapped to keyboard controls, while the right thumbstick functions as a mouse for intuitive menu navigation. KEYJAM Mode offers a seamless, plug-and-play experience — making everything from song selection to rocking out smooth, fast, and effortless.
- PREMIUM FRETS & STRUM BAR - Mechanical Frets offer a superior playing experience providing unmatched precision and responsiveness. Hall effect strum bar allows you to customize your actuation point while guaranteeing a long lifespan. Also featuring haptic feedback to give you a tactile feel with each strum.
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- EASY NAVIGATION: Two integrated analog sticks, an ergonomic D-pad on the headstock, and an eight-button navigation hub for easy in-game menu navigation.
What the acquisition does—and does not—establish
- Established: Activision Blizzard joined Xbox, and Guitar Hero is part of the franchise history Spencer and Kotick discussed.
- Not established: A new game, development status, release window, supported platforms, Game Pass inclusion, or any plan to make new guitar hardware.
- Still only a possibility: Spencer said franchise revisits could be an opportunity if teams were interested. That statement does not confirm that a team has chosen Guitar Hero.
So the title claim that Guitar Hero will make a comeback “thanks to” the acquisition goes further than the cited statements. The acquisition may create an opportunity to consider older properties, but it is not evidence that this particular franchise is being revived.
Does Guitar Hero Live mean the series is returning?
No. Activision announced Guitar Hero Live in April 2015 as a new entry with a redesigned guitar controller, a first-person live-performance mode called GH Live, and GHTV, a playable music-video mode. The announcement said the game was planned for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, and select mobile devices, and described “hundreds of playable songs.” Those are historical launch details and a vendor’s description at the time—not confirmation of a current catalog, current sales, or a new game. Activision’s 2015 announcement explains what that release included.
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- Multiple Games Compatible - The wireless controller simulates a real guitar and supports both PC and PS3 platforms. The PC platform supports Guitar Hero 3/ Guitar Hero 3 Legends Of Rock/ Guitar Hero World Tour. PS3 platform supports Guitar Hero 3/ Guitar Hero 4/ Guitar Hero 5/ Rockband 1/ Rockband 2.
- Wireless Connection - This Guitar Hero guitar is a two-in-one wireless guitar with 2.4G RF technology. The receiver connects to the PS3 host or computer USB port to wirelessly connect to the guitar. It offers an authentic musical experience and is professionally engineered to respond quickly to your guitar playing.
- Humanized Design - Flexible touch-sensitive neck slider, easy to assemble and disassemble, to meet your storage and carrying needs. The guitar strap is adjustable, suitable for people of all body types, offering a better playing experience
- Multiple Modes - The guitar can be played by multiple people, single player or in practice mode. When you start the game, the guitar's colored buttons will scroll and emit rhythmic notes. If the keys or hits are wrong, wrong sounds will be produced.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee - Guitar Hero guitar has passed the test of many market products. We are committed to providing our customers with the best products. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We will process them within 24 hours.
Is another rhythm game the Guitar Hero comeback?
Not according to the available description. GamesRadar reported in August 2025 that RedOctane Games had entered production on a new rhythm title. The report quoted the studio saying, “This game won’t be Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Guitar Freaks or Rockband.” That project is distinct from Guitar Hero and does not indicate that Microsoft is reviving the franchise. GamesRadar’s report also mentioned a teased CRKD guitar controller, but did not establish that it works with Guitar Hero.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you still use an old Guitar Hero guitar?
The 2015 announcement confirms that Guitar Hero Live had its own guitar controller, but it does not establish a compatibility list for legacy controllers. Compatibility depends on the specific game, controller model, console generation, and any required receiver or dongle. Check those details for the exact hardware and platform before buying or connecting a used controller; do not assume that a guitar from one Guitar Hero release works with another game or console.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- FOR PC & PS3: The wireless PC/PS3 Guitar controller for an authentic music experience. The PC platform supports Guitar Hero 3/ Guitar Hero 3 Legends Of Rock/ Guitar Hero World Tour/Clone Hero. The PS3 platform supports Guitar Hero 3/ Guitar Hero 4/ Guitar Hero 5/ Rockband 1/ Rockband 2
- WIRELESS CONNECTION: This Guitar Hero guitar with 2.4G Wireless Transmission Technology for PC and PS3, plug and play without code matching, simple design, and easy to use
- HIGH-QUALITY GUITAR: The clone hero guitar with the improved multi-colored frets design for quick-reaction gameplay and an elongated strum bar for an enhanced music shredding experience. Highly responsive whammy bar
- BATTERY POWERED: This pc guitar hero controller is powered by standard LR6 (AA) batteries. Users need to buy it by themselves
- COMPLETE PACKAGE: Includes wireless guitar controller with dongle for seamless connectivity, and comes with a shoulder strap to enhance your rock experience and make gameplay more authentic
The cited statements also do not settle whether a particular Guitar Hero title is currently in the Game Pass catalog. Check the live catalog for your region and subscription rather than treating Spencer’s general comments about bringing franchises to Game Pass as a listing confirmation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Compatible with Multiple Games】The wireless controller simulates a real guitar and supports both PC and PS3 platforms. The PC platform supports Guitar Hero 3, Guitar Hero 3 Legends Of Rock, Guitar Hero World Tour, Guitar Hero Aerosmith and other games; The PS3 platform Guitar Hero 3, Guitar Hero 4, Guitar Hero 5, Rockband 1and Rockband 2
- 【2.4G Wireless Connection】This Guitar Hero guitar is a two-in-one wireless guitar with 2.4G radio frequency technology connection is very convenient, plug and play. Simply plug the receiver into a PS3 console or computer USB port to connect wirelessly to the guitar end
- 【High-Quality Guitar】The pc hero guitar with the Improved multi-colored frets design for quick-reaction gameplay and an elongated strum bar for an enhanced music shredding experience.Highly responsive chrome whammy bar
- 【Removable】This Guitar Hero guitar's guitar shaft and body are detachable for easy storage. When using, just insert the guitar rod into the main body as shown in the picture, and hear the sound of "click", indicating that it has been inserted in place and automatically locked
- 【Long Service Life】The pc guitar hero package comes with a sponge, which protects the probe in the main body from being oxidized after an electric shock. When the guitar is not used for a long time, please put the absorbent sponge back in place to prevent oxidation
Rank #4
- FOR PC & PS3 - The wireless PC/PS3 Guitar for an authentic music experience. The PC platform supports Guitar Hero 3/ Guitar Hero 3 Legends Of Rock/ Guitar Hero World Tour/Clone Hero and the latest Fortnite Festival. The PS3 platform supports Guitar Hero 3/ Guitar Hero 4/ Guitar Hero 5/ Rockband 1,2.
- 2.4G WIRELESS CONNECTION - 2.4G Wireless Transmission Technology for PC and PS3, plug and play without code matching, simple design, and easy to use.
- HIGH-QUALITY GUITAR -The clone hero guitar with the Improved multi-colored frets design for quick-reaction gameplay and an elongated strum bar for an enhanced music shredding experience.Highly responsive chrome whammy bar.
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. If there is a problem with our product, you can request a refund and we will process it within 24 hours.
- NOTED- This pc guitar hero controller is powered by standard LR6 (AA) batteries. Users need to buy it by themselves.
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