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Guitar Hero Vets Reveal Stage Tour, a New Five-Fret Rhythm Game

RedOctane Games announced Stage Tour, a new five-fret rhythm game from people associated with Guitar Hero. A Kramer guitar controller is planned, but release timing and retail details remain unconfirmed.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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RedOctane Games’ new music game is Stage Tour, a five-fret rhythm title in active development. The studio announced it on February 26, 2026, with a target of Holiday 2026; that was a projected window, not confirmation of a final release date. RedOctane has also announced an official Kramer guitar controller, but has not established retail availability or full compatibility details.

What is Stage Tour?

Stage Tour is a new rhythm music game from RedOctane Games. The studio described it as being in active development when it announced the game on February 26, 2026. Its announcement projected a release in time for Holiday 2026, but that announcement-era target is not a confirmed launch date. RedOctane Games’ official announcement is the source for the reveal and its schedule.

Is RedOctane making a new Guitar Hero?

No. RedOctane’s team includes people associated with the creation of Guitar Hero, but the studio presents Stage Tour as a distinct project, not a new entry in that franchise. Its blog puts the distinction plainly: “This game won’t be Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Guitar Freaks or Rockband.” RedOctane Games’ blog frames the project as a return to rhythm games rather than a continuation of those series.

The studio’s launch announcement describes its founding group as including Charles and Kai, identified as original founders of the Guitar Hero franchise. It also says the wider team combines rhythm-game veterans with newer developers, creators and community leaders. That background explains the “Guitar Hero vets” description, but it does not make Stage Tour a licensed Guitar Hero game.

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What gameplay and controller have been announced?

RedOctane’s later update describes Stage Tour as a five-fret rhythm game and announces an official guitar controller created with Kramer, part of the Gibson family of brands. The update establishes the controller as part of the planned hardware lineup; it does not establish a specific retail model, sale date, price or complete compatibility list. The official IGN Live update provides those details.

RedOctane says it will work closely with CRKD on hardware performance. The studio’s FAQ clarifies that CRKD and RedOctane Games are separate companies under the same parent, Embracer Freemode; CRKD should not be mistaken for the game’s developer. RedOctane’s FAQ explains the relationship.

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What is still unconfirmed?

The cited announcements do not establish a final release date, platforms, track list or count, price, physical editions, retailer availability, exact Kramer controller model, or whether existing Guitar Hero controllers will work. The announced five-fret format and guitar hardware do not, by themselves, confirm compatibility with older instruments.

RedOctane’s July 2026 event announcement also described a Dark Horse one-shot comic partnership and said attendees could try the Kramer controller. That is additional event and franchise context, not confirmation of the game’s retail release or controller availability. The official Comic-Con announcement covers the event.

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CRKD Gibson SG Black 20th Anniversary Edition Guitar Controller for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC
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  • PREMIUM FRETS & STRUM BAR - Featuring Matte EZ Glide Mechanical Fret Buttons and our proprietary Hall Effect Strum Bar technology with a mechanical click, delivering that classic feel for a whole new era.
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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.
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  • MODULAR DESIGN: The modular design allows you to swap out your neck to match your perfect feel. Swap it out for the solo neck design featuring 5 additional solo frets or opt for the classic standard buttons.
  • 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.

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