Epic Games is expanding Fortnite's AI capabilities following the successful launch of AI Darth Vader last month. The iconic villain can now sing to players, dynamically join and exit squads, engage in contextual conversations, and even warn players about imminent threats.
The legendary James Earl Jones' voice is digitally preserved for this experience through Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash model and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 technology, implemented with approval from Jones' family following his passing in September 2024 at age 93.
During the recent State of Unreal 2025 showcase, Epic announced revolutionary creator tools that will allow players to design their own AI-powered NPCs using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). The new Persona Device enables creators to craft unique characters with distinct personalities, customizable voices, and specialized behavioral traits.
"We're building on our experience with Darth Vader by empowering creators with the same technology," an Epic representative stated.
Soon after the Sith Lord's debut, players discovered ways to make Vader recite inappropriate phrases - which Epic promptly addressed through updates.
UEFN will soon welcome major licensed properties including Squid Game (launching June 27), Avatar: The Last Airbender, and extensive Star Wars resources. Additionally, LEGO's brick-building system debuts on June 17 alongside the new LEGO Bloom Tycoon template.
The event also featured an impressive Unreal Engine 5 technical demonstration of The Witcher 4, developed in collaboration with CD Projekt.
