Epic Games has introduced a groundbreaking AI-powered Darth Vader non-player character (NPC) to Fortnite as part of its ongoing Star Wars collaboration, launched with update 35.10. This innovative feature allows players to engage in real-time conversations with the iconic Sith Lord, voiced by an AI-generated replica of the late James Earl Jones’ legendary performance. However, the feature has stirred controversy, with reports of players coaxing the AI to produce inappropriate responses, including profanity, prompting Epic Games to highlight its reporting mechanisms to address such issues.
A New Era of Interaction in Fortnite
The introduction of the AI-powered Darth Vader marks a significant milestone for Fortnite, making it the game’s first fully conversational NPC. Unlike previous NPCs with limited dialogue tied to quests or lore, this Darth Vader, developed in collaboration with Google Gemini and ElevenLabs, responds dynamically to players’ voice or text inputs using the Gemini 2.0 Flash model for response generation and ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5 for audio. Players can recruit Vader after defeating him as a boss at one of three randomized locations on the Fortnite map, replacing the previous Darth Vader Samurai boss. Once recruited, players can interact with him by enabling the Conversational AI button (default: Hold Left on the D-Pad) in the game’s Controller Mapping settings.
The AI Darth Vader is designed to enhance gameplay by offering strategic advice, hinting at points of interest with rare loot, and summarizing match events. According to Epic Games, the character can “join and leave squads at will, respond intelligently to the player, issue cued and unprompted dialogue, and warn the player if something’s about to go down.” Vader can also perform animations like yelling “No!” or nodding in agreement, adding immersion to the Star Wars experience. The feature aligns with Fortnite’s Star Wars crossover, which includes skins like Darth Jar Jar Binks, Emperor Palpatine, and General Grievous, as well as Star Wars-themed weapons like blasters and lightsabers.
The collaboration has been endorsed by James Earl Jones’ family, who stated, “James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it. We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.”
Fortnite players shared clips showing the AI Vader's hilarious responses in the game:
Controversy Erupts Over Inappropriate Responses
Despite Epic Games’ efforts to implement “strong moderation” to filter inappropriate prompts, the AI Darth Vader has faced issues with unintended behavior. Within hours of the update’s release on May 16, 2025, players, including Fortnite Icon Series member Kathleen “Loserfruit” Belsten, reportedly tricked the AI into using profanity and discussing inappropriate topics, such as “boobs” or the meme “Skibidi Toilets.” A clip shared by leaker HYPEX captured Loserfruit prompting the AI to say the “f-word” and even call her a “thug,” highlighting the AI’s vulnerability to manipulation despite its programmed limitations, which prohibit discussions of V-Bucks, sexual language, violence against “younglings,” romantic interactions, or non-Star Wars/Disney media beyond two lines.
Epic Games quickly responded, with an official statement saying that a hotfix was pushed to address the swearing issue: “We pushed a hotfix immediately and this shouldn’t happen again.”
Epic Games has acknowledged these issues, emphasizing that the AI is in a testing phase and encouraging players to report problematic responses. According to the company’s FAQ, players can report inappropriate dialogue through the in-game “Darth Vader” channel in Voice Chat or by submitting a bug report. Epic assures users that only Vader’s responses are reviewed, and player voice audio or transcriptions are not stored, addressing privacy concerns. Players under 13 (or their country’s age of digital consent) require parental permission to interact with the AI, which can be granted via the Fortnite Parental Controls menu or Epic Account Settings.
The Star Wars collaboration, which began on May 2, 2025, and includes a five-part saga with themed Battle Pass rewards, has been a major draw for Fortnite players. Fans have praised the season’s Star Wars-inspired loot pool, including blasters and lightsabers, and some have called for a permanent Star Wars game mode. However, the AI Darth Vader controversy risks overshadowing these achievements, with critics questioning whether the feature’s novelty justifies its technical challenges.
How to Report Inappropriate AI Responses in Fortnite
For players encountering problematic dialogue from the AI Darth Vader, Epic Games provides clear steps to report issues:
In-Game Reporting: Use the “Darth Vader” channel in Fortnite’s Voice Chat to report inappropriate responses directly.
Bug Report Submission: Submit a detailed bug report through the game’s support system, specifying the issue with Vader’s dialogue.
Parental Controls: Parents can manage AI interaction permissions via the Fortnite Parental Controls menu or Epic Account Settings on the web.
Epic Games emphasizes that these reports help refine the AI’s performance and ensure a safe gaming environment. Players are encouraged to provide feedback to address any unintended behavior promptly.
The AI Darth Vader feature represents a bold step for Fortnite in integrating advanced AI into gaming, but its rocky debut, exemplified by incidents like Loserfruit’s clip, underscores the challenges of deploying generative AI in a live, player-driven environment. As Epic Games continues to refine this technology, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how it balances innovation with technical reliability. For now, Fortnite players can enjoy strategizing with the Sith Lord, but they’re advised to keep their conversations within the bounds of the Star Wars galaxy to avoid triggering the Dark Side of AI.
Source: StarWars.com
