SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG) made a surprising announcement at the Summer Game Fest 2026. The Japanese studio, alongside Snoop Dogg, revealed a significant detail about their game, Stranger Than Heaven. Instead of announcing a release date, RGG Studio confirmed that the late legendary rapper Tupac Shakur will be brought to life as a character in Stranger Than Heaven.
Snoop Dogg Details Musical Collaboration in Stranger Than Heaven
Tupac Shakur’s likeness was made possible through the involvement and mediation of the renowned artist Snoop Dogg. Dogg successfully secured approval from Shakur’s estate for the use of his appearance in character modeling for Stranger Than Heaven. The presence of these musical icons is closely tied to the core gameplay mechanics of Stranger Than Heaven, which will involve organizing musical performances.
Snoop Dogg was one of the first confirmed participants in the project. Alongside the American rapper, RGG Studio announced the involvement of other musicians. Artists Ado, Satoshi Fujihara, and Tori Kelly will play roles within the title. They collaborated with Snoop Dogg on composing and performing the game’s main theme music. Additionally, Cordell Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s son, will also portray a character in the game. The preview shown during Summer Game Fest 2026 already offers a glimpse of Tupac’s appearance in the video game.
Tupac Not the Only Deceased Figure in Stranger Than Heaven
A previous trailer for Stranger Than Heaven also revealed the incorporation of the legendary late actor Bunta Sugawara as a character. Sugawara, an iconic figure, starred in the yakuza film series Battles Without Honor and Humanity (Jingi naki tatakai) in the 1970s. Sugawara’s influence extended beyond cinema, inspiring characters like Admiral Akainu in One Piece and lending his voice to Kamajī in Spirited Away.
For Stranger Than Heaven, Sega obtained formal consent from Bunta Sugawara’s family. They also utilized archival material from Toei Company to recreate his image with high-fidelity models. As the actor passed away in 2014, his vocal performance will be handled by Takashi Ukaji (Raoh in Hokuto no Ken). This voice actor maintained a close relationship with Sugawara during his lifetime. While this is viewed as a tribute to a legend in Japan, some fans in the West have not received it in the same manner.
