AI Darth Vader was only the tip of the spear as AI NPC creation is coming to Fortnite

The Unreal Editor for Fortnite, UEFN for short, is expecting some major upgrades: Epic Games has revealed plans to provide creators with the necessary tools to create their own AI-powered NPCs later in 2025.

The addition of an AI-powered Darth Vader, who started swearing shortly after his introduction, was evidently only the beginning of Epic Games’ plans for AI integration in Fortnite and served as a test of the feature.

“We’re taking what we learned from Darth Vader and sharing the underlying technology with the creator community,” Epic Games stated.

“Creators will be able to use the new Persona Device to create characters with personalities that players can talk to. You can select the type of voice and delivery you want for your NPC, as well as their characteristics. And we are taking it a step further so creators can not only drive NPC behavior and dialog, but also drive the core game itself, bringing new and dynamic player experiences to Fortnite,” the company added.

Epic is also rolling out an AI assistant for creators, which is currently in beta. It’s supposed to help with tasks like writing code for UEFN projects.

UEFN will also be expanded with some major IP in the coming weeks and months: On June 27, 2025, Squid Game assets will become available. Avatar: The Last Airbender is next on the list with a targeted launch in 2026. Epic Games’ close relationship with Disney also enables it to bring Star Wars to UEFN, though the galaxy far, far away doesn’t have an arrival window yet.

First of all, though, the Lego Bloom Tycoon template and brick-by-brick building will make their appearance in UEFN on June 17, 2025.

Epic’s State of Unreal presentation also contained a brand-new tech demo from The Witcher 4.

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