Echo Foundry Interactive has announced that its upcoming rhythm game Sound System will launch on October 16, 2026, for $24.99 on Steam. The studio, founded by industry veterans who previously worked on iconic music game franchises like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and DJ Hero, aims to bring the rhythm genre back with modern features and a strong focus on community-driven creativity.
Sound System is designed to capture the spirit of classic rhythm games while adding new tools that allow players and musicians to collaborate directly within the platform.
A Modern Take on Classic Rhythm Gameplay
At its core, Sound System revives the familiar five-fret guitar rhythm gameplay that defined earlier music games. Players can perform guitar, bass, or vocal tracks using a keyboard, controller, compatible guitar controllers, or a microphone.
The game also supports both local split-screen multiplayer and online play, allowing friends to perform together in cooperative band sessions that feature shared multipliers and visual effects. Competitive players can also battle head-to-head in stage control modes where performance determines control of the spotlight.
Three Gameplay Modes for Every Skill Level
To accommodate different types of players, Sound System will include three main gameplay modes. Classic Mode offers a more forgiving experience with wider timing windows and no-fail mechanics, allowing newcomers to focus on enjoying the music.
For experienced players, Pro Mode tightens the timing windows and introduces a grading system similar to dance rhythm games, rewarding precision with Gold, Silver, and Bronze performance ranks. Missing too many notes results in a failed run.
At the top end is Hardcore Mode, where a single missed note immediately ends the performance. This mode is designed for elite players and competitive leaderboard climbers, with potential for esports-style competitions.
A Music Library Built for Discovery
Sound System will launch with a catalog of more than 50 songs, blending studio-recorded covers of familiar hits with tracks from indie artists and emerging bands. According to the studio, songs from indie and up-and-coming artists will remain free within the core catalog, while studio covers will be available for $0.99.
The platform will continue expanding through monthly content drops, including new singles and additional downloadable content from both new and established musicians.
Community Tools and Custom Chart Creation
One of Sound System’s standout features is the PulseMap Editor, an in-game chart creation tool that allows players to design their own note charts. Described by the developers as “Mario Maker meets Guitar Hero,” the system lets players upload their own music, build charts from scratch, or edit existing tracks.
Artists can also upload original songs to the platform, allowing their music to be transformed into playable rhythm charts. Once created, players can share their charts with friends and the wider community, opening the door to a constantly growing library of player-generated content.
Beyond gameplay, Sound System also allows players to customize the look of their performance space with adjustable note highways, visual themes, scoring widgets, and both static and video backgrounds.
Sound System launches on October 16, 2026, exclusively on Steam, with players able to wishlist the rhythm game now ahead of its release.
