Fortnite’s Darth Vader AI: What is it, and how does it work?

Fortnite has recently caused a stir with the release of an interactive chatbot based on Darth Vader, the iconic big bad of the Star Wars franchise. The chatbot allows players to converse with Vader, but they can also recruit him to play alongside them. 

The chatbot is undeniably impressive, though it has received controversy from the acting community. They argue that the use of an AI-generated voice is unfair and could jeopardise human performers. Let’s take a closer look at Fortnite’s Darth Vader AI to see exactly how the chatbot works and its role within the game. 

The Darth Vader Fortnite AI is an interactive chatbot and potential NPC teammate introduced to the game on May 16, 2025. Darth Vader is a Battle Royale boss, and players must defeat and recruit him before the other team. Once that is done, he can be added to their party. 

According to the FAQ section on Fortnite’s website, the Darth Vader AI works via two programs: ElevenLabs’s Flash v2.5 model, which generates the audio, and Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash model, which is the AI program involved. 

Players have the option to talk to Darth Vader by pressing the button prompt on the screen. They can then talk into their microphone, and their voice audio is sent to Gemini, which generates a voiced AI response from Darth Vader. 

Fortnite’s Darth Vader is made all the more believable thanks to the use of James Earl Jones’s voice. The actor, who was the iconic voice of Vader in the films, passed away in 2024, but his family allowed his voice to be used via the generative AI function. 

The AI Darth Vader in Fortnite is not only a chatbot, but also a functional NPC who can assist players on the battlefield. Some of his combat skills include throwing his lightsaber for ranged attacks, pulling enemies with the Force, or blocking enemy attacks. 

The real-time voice chat feature is the most unique element of Fortnite Darth Vader. He can respond to a range of queries asked by the player while also maintaining the villainous personality established in the Star Wars films. 

Vader can offer commentary on certain elements of the game and the player. For example, he can comment on the player’s skin of choice, referring to them as the character they are dressed as. He will also note any nearby points of interest or loot and can comment on the names, statuses, and elimination counts of fellow squad members. 

Darth Vader can also discuss Star Wars-related topics. However, the AI model is restricted in its responses to avoid inappropriate content. The internet being the internet has already managed to get Darth Vader to say some questionable things, but Epic Games is actively working to ensure that conversations are as appropriate as possible. 

Due to the use of AI involved in Fortnite Darth Vader’s voice, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has filed a charge for unfair labour practice against Llama Productions (a subsidiary company of Fortnite developers Epic Games). 

SAG-AFTRA released a statement concerning the charge, with their main grievance revolving around replacing human work with AI technology. 

In the statement, SAG-AFTRA states: “We must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader’s iconic rhythm and tone in video games”.

Despite the estate of James Earl Jones approving this technology, SAG-AFTRA makes a fair point about the use of AI technology over human performers. This could lead to severe problems in the acting community, although this does not apply as much as it would if it were an original character being voiced by AI. 

Jones’s performance as Darth Vader was iconic, and he reportedly signed an agreement before his death allowing his voice to be used by AI tech for Star Wars projects. Although AI replacing human workers is always a cause for concern, this particular project was a choice by Jones and his family, so it only seems fair that it is his voice that is used, as per the agreement. 

Ranked play is currently only a player-versus-player competition in Fortnite, as the use of NPCs such as Darth Vader would be an unfair advantage. However, it is possible that this feature could be added in the future, although it would have to be done in a way that keeps things fair and focused on player skill. 

Including an NPC AI companion such as Darth Vader would give players a strategic advantage, which seems highly unethical in a competitive game. Players rise through the ranks of comp modes in gaming through skill, dedication, and teamwork, and an AI NPC that can help in combat almost feels like cheating, as it would give players such a significant advantage. 

There are also ways that an AI chatbot would be a disadvantage for players during competitive games. AI isn’t always reliable, so those seeking information or tips from an AI Darth Vader companion in Fortnite might be disappointed by the generated responses. Not only that, but NPC characters are also not always the most reliable. No matter how hard a developer works to make them as responsive and effective as possible, bugs and glitches always happen. If this were to occur during a competitive match, the entire game could be jeopardised. 

Although it seems like something that could be possible in the future, using AI Darth Vader in competitive Fortnite could be more of a hindrance than a help, especially as AI is still in its developing stages. Competitive gaming is all about human skill, as with other sports, so including an AI NPC for assistance seems counterproductive in the long run. 

The AI Darth Vader in Fortnite has been an interesting experience for many, but it has also shown that AI is far from ready to be used in a way that is anything other than a bit of fun right now. 

It seems likely that this will become a part of gaming in the future in all sorts of forms, from personalised guides that support the player as they go or NPCs that assist players, as Darth Vader does. 

However, there are still plenty of concerns surrounding the use of AI, and the video game industry is no exception to this. Ethical concerns are the main issue, as shown by the SAG-AFTRA reaction to Fortnite Darth Vader. Moderation of content is also a tricky challenge to navigate.

There is no doubt that AI and chatbots such as Fortnite’s Darth Vader will become more prominent in video games as time progresses. However, there are still plenty of kinks to work out before it can become a fully integrated feature. For now, though, we can at least enjoy hearing Darth Vader saying silly things as he assists on the digital battlefield in Fortnite.