Epic Games To Add Generative AI NPC Options to Unreal Editor For Fortnite
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- Epic Games is adding AI support for characters created in Unreal Editor within Fortnite.
- The option allows players to create NPCs with distinct personalities, borrowing generative AI framework from the Darth Vader AI.
- The created NPCs will have the capability to respond to players’ voice prompts.
Later this year, Epic Games is to add AI support for Unreal Editor for Fortnite – a tool specifically catered for creators. The AI support is being implemented in two ways: generative AI personalities will be available for creating NPC characters, and a generative AI helper is now available to help facilitate development.
The AI NPC character borrows the technological framework that was used for Darth Vader AI, which utilized Google’s Gemini AI 2.0 to generate its responses. As for the voice, the technology borrows James Earl Jones’ by wielding ElevenLabs 2.5 model. Darth Vader AI received a hotfix, nerfing his vocabulary due to using profanity – the patch resulted in Vader becoming more politically correct.
According to an official Fortnite social media page, Epic is “giving creators the tools to drive not only NPC behavior and dialogue but also the core game itself, bringing new and dynamic player experiences to Fortnite.”
As for the AI assistant, it helps the developer write verse code for Unreal Engine Fortnite projects while also providing answers, workflow guidance, and more. The Epic Developer Assistant is now up and running, while the NPC AI is expected later this year with no exact release date.
Fortnite added various new features for creators outside of AI capabilities, including Avatar The Last Airbender, Star Wars, and Squid Game collaboration in-game assets. The game is currently celebrating its Star Wars collaboration event, which concludes on June 7. Despite Star Wars’ immense popularity, Fortnite saw a low average concurrent player count in May 2025 – the recorded figure was the lowest average player count since May 2023.
