Epic Games will allow Fortnite creators to publish experiences featuring AI-voiced characters from 30 July, expanding the use of conversational non-player characters in the game. The move matters because it gives creators access to 36 ready-made Fortnite personas while raising continuing questions about voice consent, safeguards and the behaviour of AI characters.

The available characters include Agent Jonesy, Peely, Fishstick and Cuddle Team Leader, with voices built from performances supplied by independent professional actors who agreed to their use in voice models. Epic previously tested an AI Darth Vader character using James Earl Jones’s voice with approval from his estate, but players quickly prompted it to swear before the company fixed the issue. Epic says it may later seek permission from relevant guilds and original voice actors to make familiar Fortnite Battle Royale voices available more widely.