Fortnite is getting a host of AI-powered ‘characters’

Get ready for more AI characters fortnite. Developer Epic Games will allow this fortnite Creators are publishing experiences featuring characters with AI-powered voices starting July 30, and prior to that launch, It has been created 36 characters with “consistent voices and personalities” that creators can use as NPCs. Characters include fortnite Basic materials such as Agent Jonesy, Billy (Banana), Fishstick (a walking fish), and Team Leader Cuddle (who wears a pink teddy bear mascot head).

Epic tested the AI ​​character waters with a Darth Vader NPC last year that was powered by the voice of James Earl Jones – a collaboration undertaken by Jones’ estate Signed on. Although players soon made Vader swear, which is epic Fixed quicklyThe company announced shortly after Vader’s debut fortnite Creative people will be able to Create their own AI characters.

Epic says the voices of these new characters are based on “performances taken from independent professional actors specifically for use on developer-created islands.” “Actors agreed to use their performances to develop audio models that generate spoken responses for LLM-enabled Fortnite characters.”

In the future, it seems that Epic wants to create characters that feature the voices of famous actors who have appeared in fortnite universe, but it would have to get the right approvals to do so. “Our next step is to work with relevant guilds and character voice actors who have previously worked in Fortnite Battle Royale to explore opportunities to make their original voices available across the Fortnite ecosystem,” the company says.