Snoop Dogg Suggested Tupac Shakur for 'Stranger Than Heaven' Game Role, RGG Studio Confirms
RGG Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama confirmed that rapper Snoop Dogg suggested the inclusion of the late Tupac Shakur in the upcoming game 'Stranger Than Heaven.' This decision was made to reflect the real-life relationship between the artists within the game's narrative, mirroring characters Orpheus and Amaru. The game also features the likeness of deceased Japanese actor Sugawara Bunta. Yokoyama addressed potential Western skepticism regarding posthumous likenesses, noting that it is a common practice in Japanese gaming culture, citing examples like 'Onimusha' featuring Toshiro Mifune. All posthumous casting was done with the explicit approval and ongoing supervision of the respective estates and families, including Tupac's Amaru Entertainment, without the use of AI technology for performances.
RGG Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama has revealed that the casting of late rapper Tupac Shakur in the upcoming game 'Stranger Than Heaven' was directly suggested by Snoop Dogg.
The decision to include Tupac's likeness alongside other performers like Snoop Dogg and his son, Cordell Broadus, sparked discussion about the use of deceased celebrities in media. Yokoyama explained that in Japan, there is less sensitivity surrounding this issue, with character modeling after deceased actors being a practice in Japanese gaming for over 20 years, as seen in titles like 'Onimusha: Way of the Sword,' which features a protagonist modeled after legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune.
Yokoyama recounted asking Snoop Dogg to suggest someone who had a real-life relationship with him to play a character with a similar in-game relationship. Snoop Dogg proposed Tupac. RGG Studio staff also found Tupac to be a fitting choice. The studio then secured approval and negotiated with Tupac's estate and family, specifically Amaru Entertainment, which manages his likeness.
Tupac's character, Amaru, shares a significant relationship with the character Orpheus in the game, a dynamic intended to mirror the real-life bond between Snoop Dogg and Tupac. Yokoyama emphasized that this was not merely stunt casting but a deliberate choice to enhance the narrative.
Another deceased actor, legendary Japanese yakuza film star Sugawara Bunta, appears in the game as the character Genzo Iwaki. Similar to Tupac's inclusion, RGG Studio obtained approval from Bunta's estate and family to ensure the portrayal was respectful and honored his memory.
Yokoyama confirmed that RGG Studio did not use any artificial intelligence to replicate the performances of the late stars. Instead, voice actors chosen for these roles had prior relationships with Tupac Shakur and Sugawara Bunta, with their casting also approved by the families.
'Stranger Than Heaven' is scheduled for release on January 17, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles.
(Source: GameSpot)
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