RGG Studio, the developer behind the acclaimed Yakuza and Like a Dragon series, has defused concerns over its ambitious new title Stranger Than Heaven by confirming that the late rapper Tupac Shakur’s likeness was recreated without any artificial intelligence. The decision comes as the studio unveiled further details about the game’s cast in a fresh update, walking back the unease that surrounded the announcement of Shakur as a playable character at Summer Game Fest. Rather than leaning into the novelty, the developer framed the inclusion as a deliberate act of respect, building the character from archival footage and photographs instead of machine-generated assets.
The character in question is named Amaru, and while the studio has not yet shared a full profile of the figure who uses Shakur’s likeness, it has made clear that the recreation was handled with care. In its statement, RGG Studio emphasized that the integration was crafted “with the utmost respect for his legacy,” ensuring that no AI technology was involved in any aspect of the character’s design. The update arrives as the game approaches its 2027 release, and it signals the studio’s intent to navigate the sensitive territory of resurrecting a beloved cultural icon through traditional research methods rather than modern generative tools.
A Cast Built on Real Performers
Stranger Than Heaven is set to feature a sprawling ensemble drawn from musicians, actors, and voice talents across the globe. The narrative spans five decades of history, following protagonist Makoto Daito on a journey that ultimately leads him to 1915 Japan. Shakur’s Orpheus, a globe-trotting merchant with an “open mind” about the legality of his wares, plays a pivotal role in the story. When Daito stows away aboard Orpheus’s ship, the merchant takes him in and mentors him on the harsh realities that await him on the road ahead.
The roster also includes Snoop Dogg, who voiced Orpheus and reportedly suggested Tupac for the role in the first place. Joining the cast are Tori Kelly and Satoshi Fujihara as Suzy Day and Takashi, Shogun actor Tokuma Nishioka as Kiyoshi Otsuru, and legendary voice actor Akio Otsuka as Heigo Yashima. The ensemble is rounded out by Makoto Daito (Yu Shirota), Yu Shinjo (Dean Fujioka), Tae Matsumoto (Moeka Hoshi), The Veiled Stranger (Cordell Broadus), Keiko Shirai (Ado), Genzo Iwaki (Bunta Sugawara, voiced by Takashi Ukaji), Tadashi Hataoka (Takashi Ukaji), Takeo Godai (Takaya Kuroda), Suekichi (Kouhei Tsuji), Tetsuya Hama (Yasukaze Motomiya), and Kimura (Daisuke Shiba).
“In Japan, there isn’t really so much sensitivity over this issue because this is something that’s kind of part and parcel of the Japanese gaming culture for 20-plus years. There’s been a lot of people who have modeled their characters after actors alive and passed away.”
Masayoshi Yokoyama, RGG Studio
Yokoyama’s remarks place the Tupac casting within a broader tradition of using real faces in Japanese games. He pointed to Capcom’s Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which drew on the likeness and mannerisms of the late actor Toshiro Mifune, as evidence that such practices are deeply embedded in the region’s gaming heritage. The studio’s approach to Amaru appears to follow this established precedent, treating the recreation as a continuation of a cultural norm rather than a boundary-pushing experiment.
Looking Ahead
Stranger Than Heaven is scheduled to launch on January 15, 2027, for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The title will also be available day-one through Xbox Game Pass, making the ambitious story accessible to a wider audience at release. As the studio continues to share more about Amaru and the game’s world, the emphasis on authenticity—both in its voice cast and its avoidance of AI—suggests that RGG Studio is aiming to honor its subjects while delivering a fresh, character-driven experience.
With a release nearly two years away, the game’s marketing will likely build further on the human element that defines its cast, from Snoop Dogg’s mentorship to the historical sweep of its narrative. For now, the confirmation that no AI was used offers fans a reassuring note as they anticipate one of the most talked-about titles in the genre’s next cycle.
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