"No AI for Tupac", Says RGG Studio After Stranger Than Heaven Reveal

RGG Studio has confirmed they won't be using AI for their portrayal of Tupac Shakur in Stranger Than Heaven, following the announcement that the rapper's likeness would be featured in the game. 

In a press release for the new trailer, SEGA said that absolutely no AI would be used in bringing Tupac to Stranger Than Heaven. 

"RGG studio is treating Tupac's integration with the utmost respect to his legacy, working in close collaboration with Amaru Entertainment and referencing archival footage and photographs to craft every aspect of his character design, which our creators are building via CG without the use of AI", the statement reads.

During the reveal at Summer Game Fest, RGG Studio had confirmed they were also working with Tupac's estate on his inclusion. 

This marks the second character based on a deceased figure- the first trailer showed off Bunta Sugawara, given a similar lovingly crafted treatment. 

His inclusion isn't even the first posthumous tribute to the rapper- he's held in high enough esteem that Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly album features a track, Mortal Man, that ends with a fictional interview with Tupac, using voice clips from real interviews with the rapper. 

AI Or Not, The Discourse Around Tupac In Stranger Than Heaven

Some stink has been raised over the specific question over who is rubber-stamping the use of Tupac's likeness- while terms like "Mr Shakur's Estate" often invoke images of family, Tupac's legacy is the subject of an ongoing court case. 

In short, Tupac left everything to his mother, Afeni following his death in 1996- though as of Afeni's passing in 2016, executorship of his estate has been handled by Tom Whalley, who manages Amaru Entertainment (founded by Afeni).

Sekyiwa, Tupac's sister and Afeni's daughter, is currently suing Whalley over embezzlement claims- accusing the manager of enriching himself through Amaru Entertainment, which was founded by Afeni. 

Similarly, the lawsuit also argues that Sekyiwa, who inherited all of Afeni's beloongings following her passing, should have also included inheritance from Tupac.