State of Unreal 2025: Fortnite Unleashes Epic AI Idea, to let People Make AI NPCs
The power of the Dark Side landed in Fortnite last month, bringing the voice of AI James Earl Jones (with familial permissions) to Battle Royale. Darth Vader is powered by Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash model and ElevenLabs' Flash v2.5, and the late James Earl Jones' (who passed last September 2024 at the age of 93) voice can be heard in full. While the AI addition wasn't embraced by all fans, Darth Vader does indeed roam the map, sing to players and even narrate what's happening in-game.
It seems AI Darth Vader was just the beginning. At the State of Unreal 2025 presentation, Epic Games unveiled a much bigger initiative—plans to release tools that allow creators to build their own AI-powered NPCs within Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). Demonstrated live on the Unreal main stage, Epic revealed that creators will soon be able to craft responsive AI characters using a new feature called the Persona Device.
With the Persona Device, creators can design characters that players can actually converse with, customizing voice style, tone and personality traits. 'We're taking what we learned from Darth Vader and sharing the underlying technology with the creator community,' Epic said during the presentation. To showcase the tech, Epic introduced an NPC named Mr. Buttons, who delivered sassy, real-time dialogue as programmed, highlighting the potential of this new toolset.
Alongside the Persona Device, Epic also announced a wave of new IP assets for its popular level creation tool. Squid Game content will arrive in Fortnite on June 27 to coincide with the premiere of season three. In addition, creators can look forward to using features, templates and assets from Avatar: The Last Airbender when they drop in UEFN next year. Fortnite LEGO is also expanding, as revealed during the State of Unreal 2025 presentation. A new LEGO Brick Editor is set to launch on June 17, introducing 50 classic brick types in 42 different colours. The update will allow players to build new islands, brick by brick.
The State of Unreal 2025 presentation can be watched on the official Unreal YouTube channel, including a brand new tech demo trailer for The Witcher 4.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
CORRECTING and REPLACING Vouched Developing Integration in Epic Toolbox Under Construction for Remote Identity Verification
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 3, 2025-- Please replace the release dated June 10, 2025 with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions. The updated release reads: Vouched Developing Integration in Epic Toolbox Under Construction for Remote Identity Verification Integration Empowers Hospitals to Streamline Patient Onboarding, Enhance Compliance, and Improve Care Delivery with Seamless AI-Driven Identity Verification in Epic Vouched, the AI-powered identity verification platform trusted by leading healthcare systems, is now officially developing integration within Epic Toolbox Under Construction — bringing faster, safer patient onboarding, MyChart account creation and account recovery directly into Epic. This milestone enables hospitals and healthcare systems to seamlessly integrate VouchedRx, a customized identity verification solution for healthcare providers, powerful identity verification technology directly into their Epic electronic health record (EHR) systems—enhancing patient intake, compliance, and operational efficiency. As a trusted partner in healthcare, Vouched's AI-based platform automates and streamlines identity verification, reducing manual steps and administrative burdens. With its inclusion in Epic Toolbox Under Construction, healthcare providers will soon be able to slash patient intake times, minimize fraud risk, and speed access to care — while meeting the highest security and compliance standards. 'Being part of Epic Toolbox Under Construction is a strategic milestone in our mission to become an indispensable technology partner to hospitals and healthcare systems,' said Peter Horadan, CEO of Vouched. 'Our inclusion allows us to support healthcare organizations in modernizing how they verify patient identities—an essential step in reducing fraud, improving patient outcomes, and driving down costs.' Epic Toolbox Under Construction highlights products in specific categories that will become available once development is released by Epic and participating developers. The designation also signifies that the product adheres to Epic's recommended connection practices for a category, making it easier for health systems to adopt cutting-edge technologies without lengthy custom development cycles. By joining this ecosystem, Vouched furthers our commitment to empowering healthcare organizations to implement best-in-class ID verification natively within their clinical workflows. As digital transformation in healthcare accelerates, identity verification remains a critical first step in ensuring patient data integrity and delivering equitable, efficient care. With Vouched now part of Epic Toolbox Under Construction, providers will soon gain access to a seamless and scalable solution for verifying identities across diverse patient populations, including telehealth, urgent care, and in-person settings. Epic and MyChart are registered trademarks of Epic Systems Corporation. About Vouched Vouched is a leading AI-powered identity verification platform serving industries with high-stakes verification needs like healthcare, finance, and automotive. Trusted by enterprises around the world, Vouched verifies millions of identities annually with speed, accuracy, and compliance. To learn more, visit View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WASHINGTON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TELEMEDICINE/VIRTUAL MEDICINE HEALTH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DATA MANAGEMENT HEALTH TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY SECURITY SOURCE: Vouched Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/03/2025 07:59 PM/DISC: 07/03/2025 07:59 PM
Business Wire
3 hours ago
- Business Wire
CORRECTING and REPLACING Vouched Developing Integration in Epic Toolbox Under Construction for Remote Identity Verification
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Please replace the release dated June 10, 2025 with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions. The updated release reads: Vouched Developing Integration in Epic Toolbox Under Construction for Remote Identity Verification Integration Empowers Hospitals to Streamline Patient Onboarding, Enhance Compliance, and Improve Care Delivery with Seamless AI-Driven Identity Verification in Epic Vouched, the AI-powered identity verification platform trusted by leading healthcare systems, is now officially developing integration within Epic Toolbox Under Construction — bringing faster, safer patient onboarding, MyChart account creation and account recovery directly into Epic. This milestone enables hospitals and healthcare systems to seamlessly integrate VouchedRx, a customized identity verification solution for healthcare providers, powerful identity verification technology directly into their Epic electronic health record (EHR) systems—enhancing patient intake, compliance, and operational efficiency. As a trusted partner in healthcare, Vouched's AI-based platform automates and streamlines identity verification, reducing manual steps and administrative burdens. With its inclusion in Epic Toolbox Under Construction, healthcare providers will soon be able to slash patient intake times, minimize fraud risk, and speed access to care — while meeting the highest security and compliance standards. 'Being part of Epic Toolbox Under Construction is a strategic milestone in our mission to become an indispensable technology partner to hospitals and healthcare systems,' said Peter Horadan, CEO of Vouched. 'Our inclusion allows us to support healthcare organizations in modernizing how they verify patient identities—an essential step in reducing fraud, improving patient outcomes, and driving down costs.' Epic Toolbox Under Construction highlights products in specific categories that will become available once development is released by Epic and participating developers. The designation also signifies that the product adheres to Epic's recommended connection practices for a category, making it easier for health systems to adopt cutting-edge technologies without lengthy custom development cycles. By joining this ecosystem, Vouched furthers our commitment to empowering healthcare organizations to implement best-in-class ID verification natively within their clinical workflows. As digital transformation in healthcare accelerates, identity verification remains a critical first step in ensuring patient data integrity and delivering equitable, efficient care. With Vouched now part of Epic Toolbox Under Construction, providers will soon gain access to a seamless and scalable solution for verifying identities across diverse patient populations, including telehealth, urgent care, and in-person settings. Epic and MyChart are registered trademarks of Epic Systems Corporation. About Vouched Vouched is a leading AI-powered identity verification platform serving industries with high-stakes verification needs like healthcare, finance, and automotive. Trusted by enterprises around the world, Vouched verifies millions of identities annually with speed, accuracy, and compliance. To learn more, visit
Gizmodo
9 hours ago
- Gizmodo
Admiral Piett Gave the Empire Its Human Face
In the original Star Wars trilogy, only one Imperial officer had the cunning and savvy to survive more than one film. That's Admiral Piett, played by actor Kenneth Colley. Colley passed away this week at the age of 87, and as a tribute to the fantastic actor, we thought we'd pay tribute to his most iconic role. The whole point of the Empire is faceless brutality. Stormtroopers all dress alike. Darth Vader has a mask. Only a select few see the Emperor, and even he's disfigured with an expansive hood. There is no real humanity to it. You only get a little from the Imperial officers, and of all the officers, it's Admiral Piett who is the most memorable. Part of that is because, as we said, he survives two films, but also it's because of the layered, brilliant performance Colley gives in each of his crucial scenes. We first meet Piett in The Empire Strikes Back. He's a captain, working alongside Darth Vader and Admiral Ozzel. It's Piett that alerts Ozzel, then Vader, about a mysterious ping from a probe droid in the Hoth system. The Hoth system shouldn't have pinged back, but he has this feeling. It's immediate proof of his natural instincts because, of course, he's right. That's where the Rebels are. Ozzel, however, isn't pleased to be shown up by his captain—and, well, that wouldn't be the last time. Ozzel then makes a fatal mistake when he lets the Imperial fleet exit hyperspace too close to the Hoth system, so Vader kills him and promotes Piett to admiral. Piett takes the promotion with some surprise and grace, fully realizing officers like himself are disposable to someone as evil as Vader. And yet even in those few, short moments, while you know every single thing Piett stands for and believes in is awful, you feel kind of happy for him. You shouldn't, but you do. Watching these scenes back, you almost forget just how crucial Piett is in this film. He's in almost every single big Empire moment. Case in point, we next see Piett in Vader's chambers, where he—and the audience—first see the hints of his past as Anakin Skywalker. He's taken aback by the revelation but remains incredibly professional and doesn't say a word. He's loyal, but he's also human. That's why, even though he knows going into an asteroid field to chase the Millennium Falcon is a bad idea, he does it anyway, because it's what Lord Vader commands him to do. None of these scenes would be as memorable without Colley's performance as Piett making them so. Another example is when he alerts Vader to the fact the Emperor is trying to make contact in the asteroid field. He enters the space by almost skipping, anxious and excited to deliver the message. But then, he becomes visibly scared mentioning the Emperor to Vader. At this point, we haven't seen the Emperor, but we have witnessed Piett's reaction to him, and we already are fearful. But there's also disdain there. Maybe Piett's most famous line is his next one, 'Bounty hunters, we don't need their scum.' Vader has brought in several bounty hunters—such as soon-to-be icons Boba Fett, Bossk, and Zuckuss, to name a few—to help find the Falcon, but before we see them, we know how everyone feels about them thanks to the perfect, dismissive tone of Piett. However, we also learn so much about the Empire because of him too. When Piett and his ship lose the Millennium Falcon again, Vader gives him a final warning, just like he did to Ozzel. The gulp Piett gives, knowing that he is dead if he fails Vader again, is both pathetic and relatable. It's simply a beautiful, subtle moment. Piett is in more of The Empire Strikes Back than you imagine and makes a very big impression. That's partially why George Lucas brought him back for Return of the Jedi, making Imperial on-screen history as the only one to ever return. It's a smaller role this time around, but one that features an incredibly crucial moment. It's Admiral Piett who makes the, basically, Empire-ending decision to clear Tydirium, which housed Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, and others, to the forest moon of Endor. He doesn't make the ultimate decision, of course; that was Vader, but he was right there at the center of the moment the Empire, at least in this iteration, began its fall. And his ability to delegate such a moment showed why he was still around when so many of his colleagues were not. Finally, after almost bragging to his crew about special plans he got from the Emperor himself, Piett meets his end when a Rebel A-Wing crashes into his Star Destroyer during the battle of Endor. However, it's impossible to ignore that he has had so much longevity. So much impact. So much charisma. Admiral Piett was the face of the Empire. Maybe he wasn't a Sith lord, but he stood beside Sith lords and held his own till the end. Did he deserve his fate in the films? Of course. The Empire was trash. But actor Kenneth Colley gave him a humanity that helped make maybe the greatest trilogy ever that great. Now gone, he will forever be remembered as one of the most memorable, crucial, and nuanced supporting Star Wars characters in history. He'll last forever. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
