The upcoming action game Stranger Than Heaven is generating fresh buzz after Sega and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio revealed that legendary rapper Tupac Shakur will appear in the title through the use of his likeness, nearly three decades after his death. Tupac’s involvement in the title has sparked debates about “reviving” dead celebrities for modern media.
The announcement came during Summer Game Fest, where RGG Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama appeared alongside rapper Snoop Dogg to discuss the ambitious project. While the game already boasts an unusually celebrity-heavy cast, the addition of Tupac quickly became one of the event’s most talked-about moments.
According to Snoop Dogg, the decision was made with the approval of Tupac’s estate. Speaking during the presentation, he explained that his long-standing connection to Tupac and ongoing work with the estate helped make the collaboration possible. “The Tupac estate, my son and myself work very closely together, so it just made sense,” Snoop said during the showcase, adding that the rapper’s “spirit still lives on.”
The reveal also confirmed that Stranger Than Heaven will launch on January 15, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game will also be available through Xbox Game Pass. Tupac is not the only late public figure appearing in the title. The likeness of acclaimed Japanese actor Bunta Sugawara, known for his work in the influential Battles Without Honor or Humanity film series, has also been incorporated into the game.
People seem divided over using Tupac’s likeness
Online reaction to Tupac’s inclusion has been sharply divided. Some fans expressed excitement at seeing the rapper honored in a major video game, with many praising the collaboration between Sega, RGG Studio, and Snoop Dogg. Others questioned the growing trend of using deceased celebrities in new entertainment projects, raising concerns about consent, commercialization, and the potential use of artificial intelligence technologies.
“I got no skin in the game on this. I was never a Tupac fan, but my stance is the same stance I take when people use Ai on Michael Jackson and others. Let the dead rest. I don’t like when they try to use their likeness or mimic the voice it’s just disingenuous,” claims one X commenter. Some also pointed out how Tupac’s sister is currently in a legal process to get control over Tupac’s estate, aiming to remove the current executor.
“To add insult to the matter Pac’s sister is in deep litigation trying to get control over the estate since their mother failed to make her the next of kin in charge of the estate. Yeah… This is all kinds of ugly,” recalls another commenter. For the record, Tupac’s portrayal in Stranger Than Heaven won’t involve the use of AI, according to the development studio.
While some people disagree with the role, others were either puzzled with the bizarre comeback, with comments like “Imagine being Diddy, fresh out of jail, loading up the PS5 for a chill session only for Tupac to show up and start screaming at you in Japanese,” and “I know Jada pinkett gonna love this game.”
