Epic Games debuts voice-interactive Darth Vader in Fortnite — and it's already being tricked into swearing

Fox News - May 17th, 2025

Epic Games has launched an AI-powered Darth Vader in collaboration with Disney, allowing Fortnite players to interact with the iconic Star Wars character through voice commands in real-time. This development uses Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash model and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 to generate responses in the voice of the late actor James Earl Jones. The family of Jones has expressed support, hoping to keep the spirit of Darth Vader alive for fans of all ages. However, the introduction of AI Vader has quickly drawn attention for unintended reasons, as players have managed to exploit the technology to make the character use profanity and slurs.

The release of AI Darth Vader in Fortnite raises significant ethical and technical questions, particularly around the use of AI-generated voices and the potential for misuse. While Epic Games assures that player data is not stored or used to train AI models, the ease with which players have manipulated the AI's responses highlights the challenges in moderating such interactions. This development is part of a broader trend of integrating AI into consumer experiences, but it underscores the need for robust safeguards to prevent misuse and protect users, especially younger players who need parental consent to interact with the AI.

Ai Technology Disney Fortnite Epic Games Gaming Eleven Labs Ethical Ai Use Darth Vader James Earl Jones Google's Gemini 2.0

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RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and accurate account of the release of an AI-powered Darth Vader character in Fortnite, highlighting both the technological achievements and the challenges faced. It is well-supported by credible sources and presents the information in a clear and engaging manner. The story is timely and relevant, addressing topics of public interest such as AI in gaming and ethical considerations. However, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and a deeper exploration of the societal implications of AI technology. Overall, the article effectively informs readers about recent developments in AI while sparking meaningful discussions about its impact on the gaming industry and society.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the release of an AI-powered Darth Vader character in Fortnite, detailing the collaboration between Fortnite and Disney. It correctly states that the technology uses Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash model and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 model to generate responses and mimic James Earl Jones' voice, with the family's approval. The article also accurately describes the initial issues with the AI being tricked into swearing and Epic Games' response with a hotfix. However, the claim about the late actor James Earl Jones is incorrect, as he is still alive. Overall, the story is well-supported by available sources, and most claims are verifiable and accurate.

Balance

The article provides a balanced perspective by highlighting both the technological achievements and the challenges faced with the AI Darth Vader character. It discusses the positive aspects of the collaboration and the technological innovation, as well as the negative aspect of the AI being tricked into inappropriate responses. However, the story could benefit from including more perspectives, such as insights from players or experts in AI ethics, to provide a more comprehensive view of the implications of such technology in gaming.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow and a neutral tone. It effectively conveys the main points, such as the collaboration between Fortnite and Disney, the technology used, and the challenges faced with the AI character. The structure is easy to follow, and the language is accessible to a general audience. The article avoids technical jargon, making it comprehensible to readers with varying levels of familiarity with AI technology. Overall, the clarity of the article is commendable.

Source quality

The story cites credible sources, including statements from Epic Games and the family of James Earl Jones, lending authority to the claims made. The use of direct quotes and references to specific technologies like Google's Gemini 2.0 and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5 models enhances the reliability of the information. However, the article could improve by including more diverse sources, such as independent experts or third-party analyses, to strengthen its credibility further.

Transparency

The article is transparent in disclosing the sources of its information, such as statements from Epic Games and the family of James Earl Jones. It clearly explains the technology used and the nature of the collaboration. However, it could provide more context regarding the potential ethical implications of using AI-generated voices and the steps taken by Epic Games to address these concerns. Including a discussion about the limitations of the AI technology and its potential impact on the gaming community would enhance transparency.