AI-driven characters are about to become a much bigger part of Fortnite. Epic Games says that, beginning July 30th, creators will be able to publish custom Fortnite experiences that include characters with AI-generated voices. To help kick off the rollout, the company has already built 36 ready-to-use NPCs with what it describes as reliable personalities and consistent vocal identities. The lineup includes familiar Fortnite favorites such as Agent Jonesy, Peely the banana, Fishstick the walking fish, and Cuddle Team Leader, best known for the oversized pink bear mascot head.
Epic previously experimented with AI-powered NPCs through last year’s Darth Vader character, which used a voice model based on James Earl Jones’ iconic performance with approval from the late actor’s estate. The test run drew attention almost immediately after players managed to coax Vader into swearing, an issue Epic moved quickly to patch. Not long after that debut, the company confirmed that Fortnite creators would eventually get tools to build AI voice characters for their own islands.
According to Epic, the voices behind these new AI personas are based on performances recorded by independent professional actors specifically for creator-made Fortnite islands. The company says those actors consented to having their performances used to train voice models that generate spoken dialogue for Fortnite characters powered by large language models.
Epic also appears interested in eventually bringing in voices tied to recognizable actors from the broader Fortnite universe, though that would require additional permissions. The company says its next move is to collaborate with the appropriate guilds and voice performers who have worked on Fortnite Battle Royale to look at ways their original character voices could be made available throughout the wider Fortnite ecosystem.
