Epic Games is empowering Fortnite creators with the ability to develop AI-powered Non-Player Characters (NPCs), a new functionality unveiled at Epic’s recent State of Unreal show.
This upcoming feature, expected to be available later this year, will allow creators using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) to craft characters with distinct personalities and voice chat capabilities. Creators will have granular control over the AI NPC’s voice type, delivery style, and overall characteristics.
A live demonstration during the event showcased a conversation with an AI character named “Mr. Buttons,” highlighting the potential for dynamic interactions within creator-made experiences. This development follows Epic’s previous implementation of an AI-powered Darth Vader NPC in Fortnite back in May, which utilized an AI version of James Earl Jones’ voice with approval from his estate.
However, Epic was required to issue a hotfix after some players managed to elicit expletives from the character. Beyond AI NPCs, Epic also shared news regarding the Epic Developer Assistant, an AI chatbot currently in beta testing, designed to assist UEFN creators with writing code in the Verse programming language, streamlining the development process.
The beta program for the Epic Developer Assistant is currently live. In addition to AI advancements, Epic announced the integration of new popular franchises into UEFN, providing creators with fresh assets to build with. Squid Game assets will become available starting June 27th, allowing creators to publish related experiences later in the summer.
Avatar: The Last Airbender, which previously featured in Fortnite, is slated for UEFN integration in 2026. Star Wars assets are also planned for future availability. Furthermore, beginning June 17th, creators will gain the ability to construct LEGO experiences within Fortnite brick by brick, promising a greater degree of customization for LEGO-themed creations.
