Fortnite's AI Darth Vader Prompts Legal Backlash From SAG-AFTRA Union

Summary

SAG-AFTRA challenges Epic Games for using AI Darth Vader in Fortnite without notifying the union.
Players can recruit Darth Vader in Fortnite and have limited conversations with him using conversational AI.
Epic Games had permission from James Earl Jones’ estate to use his voice, but failed to involve SAG-AFTRA.

The existence of an AI Darth Vader in Fortnite has prompted a legal challenge from SAG-AFTRA. Llama Productions/Epic Games did not notify the union regarding the decision to use a computerized voice over a flesh-and-blood actor.

Darth Vader appearing in Fortnite is nothing new, but the version appearing in the Galactic Battle Season has something extra. Those who beat Darth Vader in the Battle Royale mode can recruit him to their team, and it’s possible to have limited discussions with him, as he has conversational AI.

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It seems that Llama Productions jumped the gun by including the AI voice. According to GamesIndustry.biz, SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice against Epic Games for the use of the voice. The details of the claim and associated document can be found on the SAG-AFTRA website.

Wait, Didn’t Epic Get Permission To Use The Darth Vader Voice?

Darth Vader Fortnite AI Charscter — Image Via Epic Games

The iconic voice of Darth Vader was provided by James Earl Jones. Before he retired from acting in 2022, he sold the rights for his voice to be used with AI for Star Wars projects. This is what was used for the Obi-Wan TV show and for Fortnite. Epic Games confirmed that they have permission from Jones’ estate to use the voice.

However, the company failed to notify SAG-AFTRA of the decision to use an AI voice, nor did they attempt to bargain with the union at all, as a role was being taken away from a real actor, despite having permission to use the Darth Vader voice.

It’s unclear how this situation can be resolved, especially as the AI Darth Vader appearance is only intended to be temporary. It might shut down future attempts to include AI voices in games, or at least make it a lot more difficult without involving the union.