Fortnite has introduced a new feature that allows players to chat with Darth Vader, voiced by the late James Earl Jones through the power of generative AI. This innovative addition comes as part of Fortnite’s ongoing Star Wars season, following James Earl Jones granting Disney the rights to use his iconic voice for various projects. The AI technology used to recreate Vader’s voice for the game was developed in partnership with Google’s Gemini AI bot and ElevenLabs’ Flash audio model.
The family of James Earl Jones has expressed their approval of this collaboration, stating that the actor always wanted fans of all ages to continue experiencing the character of Darth Vader. Players under the age of 13 will need parental permission to engage in voice chats with Darth Vader, and they have the option to report any inappropriate behavior from the AI-generated character. Epic Games ensures that voice audio and transcriptions are not stored and that reports will only be based on Darth Vader’s responses.
The introduction of AI-generated voice acting in video games has sparked controversy among established voice actors, with concerns about the encroachment of AI technology in the industry. Despite this, Fortnite’s collaboration with James Earl Jones’ voice for Darth Vader marks a significant milestone in bringing iconic characters to life through generative AI. The game’s temporary removal from the Apple App Store in the US adds another layer of complexity to its ongoing developments, impacting players on the iOS platform for the foreseeable future.
