Snoop Dogg Breaks Down Tupac Shakur’s Role in SEGA’s Stranger Than Heaven—No AI, Estate Approved
Thirty years after his death, he continues to make history. SEGA and developer RGG Studio, renowned for their work on the Yakuza and Like a Dragon franchises, have officially announced that Tupac Shakur will be a playable character in their forthcoming action-adventure game “Stranger Than Heaven,” set to release on January 15, 2027, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. At Summer Game Fest 2026, Snoop Dogg made the announcement himself.
The name of the character? Amaru is Tupac’s true middle name, originating from the 18th-century Peruvian rebel Túpac Amaru II. Such attention to detail indicates that the project is not merely a cash grab. The relationship is intimate.
Snoop Dogg stated onstage, “The Tupac estate and my son and I work very closely together. “It was only logical to include him in this game, as his likeness and spirit continue to endure.” I felt a strong connection to what we’re doing.
Tupac’s estate approved the use of Pac’s likeness in STRANGER THAN HEAVEN.
The decision was taken with complete approval from Amaru Entertainment, Tupac’s official estate—the same group that has been notably discerning regarding the utilization of his legacy. SEGA emphasized that the decision was not a result of a careless AI-generated appearance. The studio issued a statement affirming that “RGG Studio is approaching this integration with the highest regard for his legacy, meticulously crafting every detail in close collaboration and without the use of AI, including his character design derived from archival footage and photographs.”
That is an important line. In a time when AI representations are sparking legal battles and debates within the entertainment sector, SEGA chose a different path, embracing a traditional, hands-on approach with work created in close collaboration with the family.
Indeed, the occasion is a genuine family event. Snoop not only appears as an announcer, but he also participates in the game, taking on the role of a newly created character named Orpheus. His son, Cordell Broadus, also plays a part. Together, the Broadus family wove their West Coast legacy into a Japanese epic that unfolds across five cities and five decades of 20th-century Japan, starting in 1915. The game seamlessly combines intense street combat with a profound emphasis on music, allowing players to capture sounds from their surroundings and create tracks, which makes Tupac’s presence in this music-centric universe feel exceptionally appropriate.
This is not the first instance where Tupac’s image has surpassed the boundaries of death in a significant manner. In 2012, the Tupac hologram performance at Coachella, featuring Snoop Dogg on stage, captured widespread attention and transformed the concept of posthumous tributes. That moment demonstrated the genuine desire within the culture to witness Pac once more. Fourteen years later, both the technology and the intention have progressed significantly.
The game will be accessible on Xbox Game Pass from the very first day.
The essence of the matter is that Snoop not only included his friend in a video game but also collaborated with his family, respected the history of his name, excluded AI from the process, and ensured that the legacy was preserved appropriately. Tupac Amaru Shakur is celebrated once more. Indeed, the streets of Japan are alive with this event.
Stranger Than Heaven is set to be released on January 15, 2027.
