In Fortnite’s latest Star Wars event, players can now speak directly with Darth Vader, voiced by an AI recreation of the legendary James Earl Jones. Epic Games has introduced this new interactive feature, allowing players to engage in real-time conversation with Vader using the in-game voice chat.
Previously featured as a non-playable character and a battle pass skin, Darth Vader’s return is enhanced by artificial intelligence, giving players a dynamic and immersive Star Wars experience. Once players locate and defeat Vader on the map, they can recruit him to their team. The Sith Lord then responds using AI-generated dialogue powered by Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash and ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5, mimicking Jones’ iconic voice.
Epic has clarified that while players’ voices are processed for real-time interaction, no audio recordings or transcripts of their speech are stored. Only Vader’s responses are retained temporarily for moderation purposes. This ensures user privacy while allowing for community reporting if the AI-generated character behaves inappropriately. Learn more about more news (Any) visit our Website. 
As expected, the feature hasn’t been without hiccups. Popular Twitch streamer Loserfruit showcased Vader responding with profanity during a live stream. Epic quickly issued a patch to prevent the character from using such language. This incident highlights both the capabilities and challenges of integrating AI into live multiplayer environments.
Children under 13, or below their country’s digital consent age, will need parental permission to use the feature. This measure aligns with Epic’s broader focus on responsible AI deployment and user safety.
The voice behind Vader remains an essential part of the character’s legacy. Before his death in September 2024, James Earl Jones had signed a deal with the AI company Respeecher to digitally preserve his voice for future Star Wars projects. The Jones family gave their blessing for this Fortnite collaboration, expressing hope that fans of all generations continue to enjoy Darth Vader’s legacy.
Epic Games’ integration of AI-driven voice interaction sets a new precedent in gaming, blending nostalgia, cutting-edge tech, and real-time player engagement in one of the most iconic franchises ever created.
