Fortnite players have discovered that the recently introduced AI-voiced Darth Vader companion can be manipulated into using inappropriate language. Epic Games quickly released a hotfix to address the issue, but not before the dark lord’s rogue antics went viral on social media.
The Controversy Unfolds
The AI Darth Vader was introduced as part of Fortnite’s Galactic Battle update, allowing players to recruit him as an ally and interact with him through voice chat. The AI is voiced by a recreation of James Earl Jones’ iconic voice, who voiced Darth Vader until his passing last year. However, players quickly found ways to trick the AI into saying objectionable words and phrases, including profanity and a homophobic slur.
Streamer Loserfruit managed to get Darth Vader to repeat vulgar language, with the AI eventually reprimanding her for her “vulgarity.” Another player got Vader to say a homophobic slur by mentioning it in the context of smoking, a usage common in British English.
Epic Games’ Response
Epic stated that they had quickly “hotfixed these holes in the safeguards” and assured that “this shouldn’t happen again.” However, given the history of other AI programs going off the rails, it’s uncertain whether this is the end of Darth Vader’s rogue antics.
Parental Concerns
The incident raises concerns given Fortnite’s popularity among young children. Parents can disable voice communication with AI features in the game’s Parental Controls menu to prevent interactions with the AI Darth Vader.
Legacy of James Earl Jones
Epic Games obtained permission from James Earl Jones’ family to use his voice for the AI Darth Vader. The family stated that Jones felt the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the Star Wars story and wanted fans to continue experiencing it. The collaboration aims to allow both longtime fans and new generations to enjoy the iconic character.
