Fortnite’s AI-Voiced Darth Vader Causes Controversy with Inappropriate Language
Epic Games has added an AI-enabled Darth Vader to Fortnite, using the late James Earl Jones’s voice for player interactions. However, players quickly discovered they could prompt Vader to use profanity and say nonsensical phrases like ‘Skibidi toilet.’
The issue arose shortly after Epic Games introduced Vader into the game, complete with AI-powered voice interactions. Players managed to capture footage of Vader using inappropriate language before Epic Games issued a hotfix to address the problem. A company representative stated that three layers of safety filters are in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
To engage with Vader, players must enable ‘allow voice and written communication with AI features’ in their account settings. Additionally, if a player repeatedly tries to get Vader to violate game settings, he will leave the squad, and the player won’t be able to recruit him again during that gameplay session.
Darth Vader can be found in Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode in the Samurai’s Solitude area. Epic Games used Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash model for Vader’s responses, with permission from James Earl Jones’s family to use his voice with AI models.
However, the new feature has drawn criticism from SAG-AFTRA, which represents actors and voiceover artists. The union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions, Fortnite’s signatory company, alleging that they replaced human performers with AI technology without proper notice or bargaining.
As of now, while the window to interact with the original inappropriate Vader has closed, players can still find and engage with the updated version in the game.
