Ryu Ga Gotoku studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama discussed plans for a Tupac Shakur character in the upcoming game Stranger Than Heaven. The character aims to imagine the rapper 30 years after his death rather than recreating him at the time he passed. Yokoyama credited input from Tupac's family throughout the process.
In an interview with Game Informer, Yokoyama explained the approach taken for the character. "We wanted to not kind of recreate who Tupac was when he passed away," he said. "We wanted to try to envision who Tupac might be now."
Yokoyama noted that the family participated at every stage of development. The studio also confirmed that Snoop Dogg suggested the inclusion and that Tupac's rights holders granted approval. No generative AI was used for the voice or likeness.
Yokoyama told IGN that the decision would add value to the game. The character is intended to interact with Snoop Dogg's role as Orpheus.
