Stranger Than Heaven Developers Believe Including Tupac Was a Smart Move

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the creators behind the upcoming Yakuza prologue game, Stranger than Heaven, are firmly backing their choice to bring Tupac Shakur into the game as a character. In a recent interview, studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama expressed, “We believe it adds value to the game we’re developing.”

Yokoyama elaborated on how the decision to include the iconic rapper, who was tragically killed in 1996—nine years before the first Yakuza title launched—came about. Initially, the team had chosen Snoop Dogg to portray the smuggler Orpheus. While collaborating with Snoop, they brainstormed potential characters that would complement Orpheus, and Snoop suggested Tupac, a concept that excited the team and led them to pursue it.

He noted that reviving characters from the past is more common in Japan than in other regions, citing RGG’s use of the likeness of Japanese actor Bunta Sugawara as an example. Yokoyama also mentioned that they secured the necessary permissions from both Sugawara’s estate and Tupac’s family. “We got their approval, we negotiated, and everyone was on board,” he stated.

Acknowledging the backlash surrounding Tupac’s inclusion, Yokoyama understood the concerns. He recalled receiving similar comments when Sugawara’s character was first revealed, with some suggesting that the deceased should be left in peace. However, he remains unfazed by the criticism. “People are free to express their opinions,” he remarked. “But we felt this was a great idea.”