Sega’s new title Stranger Than Heaven will drop January 2027. The game follows Makoto Daito through late‑20th‑century Japan and, oddly, features a digitally resurrected Tupac. The rapper appears as Amaru, a character derived from his birth name, with design rooted in archival footage. The move follows a Coachella hologram and Drake’s AI‑voice controversy and fuels debate for artists and fans.

Snoop Dogg and producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto debuted the trailer at Summer Games Fest 2026, inserting Tupac’s likeness into a Pulp Fiction‑style credit. The release team stresses that no AI powers the character; instead, they used archival material and estate oversight from Amaru Entertainment. Bunta Sugawara, another deceased figure, will also appear, expanding the game’s controversial digital resurrection theme, which may reshape how studios use legacy artists in titles.

The inclusion of Tupac raises questions about consent, cultural appropriation, and the ethics of posthumous digital performances. Fans reacted with mixed emotions, citing past controversies like the 2012 Coachella hologram. Sega’s claim of respectful collaboration may mitigate backlash, yet the move signals a broader trend of gaming studios monetizing deceased icons in an increasingly digital entertainment landscape.