Hi parents 👋
Fortnite is a very popular game with children and young people. I recently received an email from Epic Games about a new AI feature one that lets children talk to characters like Darth Vader. Yes, really. They can have full voice or text conversations with an AI version of the Dark Lord himself.
Sounds cool, right? But as always, there’s more to the story. Let’s break it down together, what this means, why it matters, and what you need to do to help your child have a safer game experience.
Epic Games has introduced a new feature in Fortnite that uses artificial intelligence to bring non-playable characters (NPCs) to life. One of the first major examples? Darth Vader.
Children can now talk to Darth Vader using their voice or keyboard, and the AI will respond in real time in character. So instead of just fighting him in-game, they can chat with him about missions, items, and more.
Epic is calling these “AI Features,” and the tech behind it is pretty advanced. They’re using:
Google’s Gemini 1.5 to power the conversational AI
ElevenLabs’ voice cloning technology to recreate James Earl Jones’ iconic voice (with permission from his family)
It’s all about immersion but as always, with new tech comes new safety concerns.
To go along with this feature, Epic has rolled out a new parental control setting:
“Allow voice and written communication with AI Features.”
By default, this is turned off for:
Any child under 13
Or anyone under the age of digital consent in your country
That means your child won’t be able to talk to AI characters like Darth Vader unless you go into their settings and turn it on.
You’ll find the option:
In Fortnite’s main menu under Parental Controls
Or on your child’s Epic Account Settings on the Epic Games website
If you’re unsure, I’d recommend logging in and checking the setting just to make sure it matches your preferences.
On the surface this might seem like fun update. But there are a few things to keep in mind — especially as a parent.
1. The AI Isn’t Perfect
Some users have already pushed the boundaries of what the AI can say. Reports have surfaced that players have tricked Darth Vader’s AI into saying things it shouldn’t — including profanity and even slurs. Epic is working to tighten guardrails, but generative AI is still unpredictable.
2. Voice Cloning Raises Questions
Yes, the Darth Vader voice is impressive — and it was licensed with permission from James Earl Jones’ family. But the tech that powers it is controversial. The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has filed a complaint against Epic Games for not negotiating its use properly, sparking a wider debate about AI in entertainment.
3. Children May Struggle to Tell AI From Real People
For younger players, this could blur lines. If a character sounds real and responds like a real person, it becomes harder to distinguish between game content and real-world interaction. This makes it even more important that children understand what AI is — and what it isn’t.
This is one of those moments where we have to pause and ask: Is this feature right for my child right now?
Here are a few helpful ideas:
✅ Review your settings. Log in to your child’s Epic Games account and double-check the new AI feature control.
✅ Talk about AI. Explain what artificial intelligence is in simple terms. Emphasize that even though characters may sound real, they aren’t real people — and sometimes, they can say strange or even inappropriate things.
✅ Keep communication open. Ask your child about their Fortnite sessions. Who are they talking to? What kinds of responses are they getting? Stay curious and non-judgmental.
✅ Watch for changes. This is likely just the beginning. AI-powered characters will likely become more common across games. The more informed we are now, the better we can guide our children through future updates.
Look, I get it talking to Darth Vader sounds like a dream come true for many kids (and let’s be honest, a few adults too). This feature actually reminded me of a time when I used Character AI to set up my favourite Thundercats characters to chat with.
But as parents, it’s easy for our children to get excited about these new AI developments in games. A thoughtful look at privacy, content safety, and emotional impact is important.
This feature doesn’t have to be scary. But it does need supervision.
Let’s stay engaged, ask questions, and keep the conversation going both with our children and with each other.
Take care,
Wayne
Remember to share it with your family & friends.
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