Fortnite's AI-powered characters get their first social test

Epic Games has given its developers a new tool to bring non-playable characters (NPCs) to life with more realistic conversations, but users are warned not to take advantage of this newfound personality. With the release of “conversations”, Epic Games is allowing creators to craft NPCs that can engage in unscripted dialogue and interactions with players. The tool allows developers to define a character’s personality, knowledge, and behavior with simple prompts before selecting a voice that matches their tone. This new feature could revolutionize the way Fortnite characters are used, from quest givers to narrators, but Epic Games is keen to stress that users should not try to exploit this newfound social awareness for personal gain.