Epic Games has unveiled a new batch of 36 AI-powered characters for Fortnite, which will be available from July 30th. These AI personas include familiar faces like Agent Jonesy and Peely the banana, alongside some quirky creations such as Fishstick and Cuddle Team Leader.

The move comes after Epic tested AI voices with Darth Vader last year, using the voice of James Earl Jones himself. Players quickly found ways to swear the character out, but this time around, Epic is working closely with professional actors to ensure unique, consistent voices for their creations.

In a statement, Epic says: 'The actors agreed to have their performances used to develop voice models that create the spoken responses for these LLM-powered Fortnite characters.' It's an intriguing step towards a future where in-game NPCs are as responsive and varied as possible. But will players find these AI characters truly engaging or just another digital gimmick?

While Epic is eager to explore more well-known voices, they must first secure the necessary permissions. In the meantime, creators can experiment with their own AI-powered personas, following a set of guidelines to prevent issues.