Epic Unveils Tools for Creating Custom AI NPCs in Fortnite

After introducing AI Darth Vader to Fortnite, Epic has revealed plans to empower users to craft their own AI-driven NPCs in the popular battle royale game.

AI Darth Vader debuted in Fortnite last month, capable of singing, joining or leaving squads, engaging in smart conversations, delivering spontaneous lines, recapping gameplay, and alerting players to imminent threats.

Darth Vader’s voice, provided by the legendary James Earl Jones, who passed away in September 2024 at 93, is recreated using Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash model and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5, with approval from the Jones family.

Within an hour of its launch, players coaxed Vader into using Dark Side-appropriate language, including profanity, which Epic quickly patched.

AI Darth Vader was merely a starting point. At State of Unreal 2025, Epic announced new tools for creators to design AI-powered NPCs using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). A live demo showcased the Persona Device, enabling creators to build characters with distinct personalities that players can interact with, customizing voice, tone, and traits.

“We’re building on our experience with Darth Vader and opening this technology to the creator community,” Epic stated.

Additionally, major IPs are coming to UEFN, including Squid Game on June 27, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and official Star Wars features, templates, and assets. Lego brick-by-brick building arrives in UEFN on June 17, alongside the new LEGO Bloom Tycoon template.

Elsewhere at State of Unreal 2025, Epic and CD Projekt showcased a breathtaking The Witcher 4 Unreal Engine 5 tech demo.