Overview
- RGG Studio and Sega, joined onstage by Snoop Dogg, revealed at Summer Game Fest that Tupac will appear as a playable character named Amaru, with the cameo first shown in a June 5 trailer.
- The publishers said Amaru was created under ongoing supervision of Amaru Entertainment and that the studio used archival photos and footage rather than generative AI to build the character.
- The estate sign-off was issued by Amaru Entertainment, which is run by Tom Whalley, who is the subject of an active 2022 lawsuit filed by Tupac’s sister Sekyiwa alleging improper enrichment and mismanagement of estate funds.
- The announcement prompted strong online backlash and ethical criticism, with outlets noting it’s unclear whether Tupac’s immediate family was consulted and some fans calling for boycotts.
- Stranger Than Heaven is scheduled to launch on January 15, 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, and the decision is likely to sharpen industry and legal scrutiny of posthumous licensing and estate control.