Following last year’s introduction of an AI-powered Darth Vader in Fortnite, which mimicked James Earl Jones’ voice and even swore, Epic Games is allowing Fortnite creators to experiment with a new tool for creating AI characters. This “conversations” tool enables developers to transform NPCs into AI-driven characters that can engage in spontaneous dialogue and interact with players in roles such as quest givers or narrators. Developers define characters through prompts regarding their thoughts, knowledge, and behavior and can choose suitable voices.
Epic Games has set guidelines for developers to ensure AI characters do not become problematic, explicitly stating they cannot act as romantic partners. Additionally, AI personas are forbidden from providing medical or mental health advice and circumventing safety systems.
Currently, the tool is in an “experimental” phase, meaning developers cannot publish experiences involving AI characters until it enters the beta stage, which has no announced timeline. The tool utilizes Google’s Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite for audio processing and ElevenLabs for voice conversion.
This feature marks Epic’s continued efforts to transform Fortnite into a broader platform with creator-driven experiences, including games featuring official Star Wars assets. However, the transition has posed challenges, as evidenced by recent layoffs of over 1,000 employees due to declining Fortnite engagement since 2025.