Stage Tour
RedOctane's new rhythm game with plastic instruments
- PS5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC
- Switch 2
Release date
10 December 2026
The story so far
What we know about Stage Tour
Stage Tour is a rhythm-action game from RedOctane Games, the studio name tied to the original Guitar Hero era. RedOctane returned in 2025 with the stated aim of bringing music rhythm games back to the mainstream. The game was revealed in February 2026 and has since gone from a holiday window to a firm date: 10 December 2026.
The core is a five-fret note highway played on lead guitar, groove guitar or bass, drums or vocals. Players can use plastic instruments, a standard gamepad or, on PC, a keyboard. Each input type gets its own note charts, and up to four people can play locally in any mix of controllers. Online co-op is cross-platform. More than 90 licensed songs spanning six decades are planned, and 45 have been named so far. The game also has more than 180 Gibson, Epiphone and Kramer guitars and over 50 bandmates to unlock.
The biggest change from older games is Tour Mode, a single-player mode described as roguelite-inspired, where the player picks a route, recruits bandmates and faces varied outcomes. Quickplay, Practice, Judgements and a casual Karaoke mode are also listed. The developers describe the game as a long-term platform with seasonal content and live events. RedOctane is working with Eidos-Montréal and Third Kind Games, and the team includes people from Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and the YARG community. Official hardware, including a Kramer guitar, a drum kit and microphones, can be pre-ordered. The base game is priced at 39.99 USD.
What to expect from Stage Tour
Based on what the developer and publisher have shown so far.
- 01
Roguelite Tour Mode
Single-player Tour Mode is built around choosing routes, recruiting bandmates and facing varied outcomes with different setlists and modifiers, according to RedOctane. Runs are meant to be replayable rather than a fixed campaign.
- 02
Play it your way
Lead guitar, groove guitar or bass, drums, vocals, gamepad and keyboard are supported. Each input gets its own charts, so a plastic guitar is optional. Difficulty runs from Easy to Expert.
- 03
Big licensed setlist
More than 90 songs across six decades are planned, with artists such as Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead and Paramore named. So far 45 tracks have been revealed, with more announced in a setlist series.
- 04
Live-service plans
The developers say the game will grow after launch with seasonal content, live events and an expanding song list. Details on how new songs will be sold have not been shared so far.
See it for yourself
Confirmed. Unconfirmed. Clear.
A quick way to separate official information from speculation.
Confirmed
- Stage Tour launches on 10 December 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and PC.Gematsu
- The game costs 39.99 USD / 39.99 EUR / 34.99 GBP, with hardware bundles priced separately.Gematsu
- RedOctane Games develops and publishes the game; the Steam page lists it as an action/rhythm title.Steam
- Over 90 licensed songs, 180+ Gibson, Epiphone and Kramer guitars and 50+ bandmates are planned.stagetour.com
- The PC version is sold through Steam and the Epic Games Store.stagetour.com
- Game modes include Quickplay, Practice, Judgements, Karaoke and the roguelite-inspired Tour Mode.Steam
Not confirmed
Public demo
No public demo has been announced. A closed alpha was shown to visitors at IGN Live 2026, and sign-up for future testing is mentioned on the official site.
Last-gen consoles
Only PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and PC have been announced. No PS4 or Xbox One version has been mentioned.
Post-launch song pricing
The developers promise more songs over time, but how they will be priced or delivered has not been shared so far.
Full setlist
Only 45 of the 90+ songs have been named. The rest are expected to be revealed before launch.
Rumours are labelled and linked to their source.
Timeline
The road to release, from announcement to launch.
26 February 2026
RedOctane Games announces Stage Tour with a reveal trailer during IGN Fan Fest, aiming for a holiday 2026 release. RedOctane
7 June 2026
At IGN Live 2026 the studio details Tour Mode, a seven-song closed alpha setlist and the Kramer guitar, drum kit and microphone hardware. Gaming Trend
25 August 2026
At gamescom Opening Night Live a new trailer arrives together with the 10 December release date. Insider Gaming
25 August 2026
Pricing, platforms and hardware bundles are published, and pre-orders for hardware open on the official site. Gematsu
10 December 2026
Planned release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and PC. stagetour.com
Waiting for Stage Tour? Play these
Our best guesses until it is out, picked for the same kind of experience.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
The classic five-fret plastic-guitar game that Stage Tour's creators helped build and are now reviving.
Rock Band 4
Full-band play with guitar, bass, drums and vocals, the same party setup Stage Tour is aiming for.
Guitar Hero Live
A more recent attempt to bring plastic-guitar rhythm games back, with a modern take on the controller.
Rock Band 3
Deep band mode with pro instruments and a big setlist, a good yardstick for Stage Tour's ambitions.
Crypt of the NecroDancer
Combines rhythm play with roguelike runs, close in spirit to Stage Tour's roguelite-inspired Tour Mode.
Hi-Fi Rush
A modern rhythm-action game built around licensed rock music and a strong sense of beat.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what people search for most.
When is Stage Tour released?
Stage Tour is set to launch on 10 December 2026. The date was announced by RedOctane Games at gamescom Opening Night Live in August 2026.
Which platforms is Stage Tour coming to?
PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC, with the PC version on Steam and the Epic Games Store. No PS4 or Xbox One version has been announced.
Is there a Stage Tour trailer?
Yes. A reveal trailer came in February 2026, a world premiere trailer at gamescom Opening Night Live, and a launch date trailer on the PlayStation channel, embedded on this page.
How much does Stage Tour cost?
The game alone is 39.99 USD, 39.99 EUR or 34.99 GBP. Bundles with a Kramer guitar start at 129.99 USD, and a full band kit bundle is 299.99 USD.
Do I need a plastic guitar to play?
No. The game supports gamepads, and on PC a keyboard, each with its own note charts. Plastic guitars, drums and microphones are optional extras sold separately.
Is Stage Tour a Guitar Hero game?
Not officially. It is a new game from RedOctane Games, the name behind the original Guitar Hero, and it is widely described as a spiritual successor with the same five-fret style.