Fortnite developer Epic Games is reportedly testing using artificial intelligence for its player support, trialing an AI chatbot to help players with their customer support tickets. As one of the most popular games in the world, Fortnite is often in the spotlight of many discussions surrounding gaming, with Epic Games constantly innovating and pushing the game to new heights. The recent addition of proximity chat has already led to Epic ramping up its moderation, banning thousands of players for inappropriate behavior. Now, Fortnite is testing another way to help its players.
The use of AI content within games has been a hot-button issue for many fans and the industry at large throughout recent years. The growth of generative AI has been a source of significant controversy, with many fans protesting against game developers using AI art or voices and even full-blown strikes resulting from the use of AI. Fortnite has already experimented with using generative AI within the battle royale before, creating an AI Darth Vader as part of a Star Wars event earlier this year. Now, Fortnite is reportedly implementing AI into its customer support.
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Fortnite launches a new voice proximity chat feature, but many players are banned for using it to spread toxicity instead of collaboration.
An update shared by Fortnite's official "Status" Twitter account reveals that Epic Games is testing AI for its player support. The post reveals that Epic Games has added a limited trial run of an AI chatbot to its player support network, with fans able to speak to an AI to help resolve issues with the game. The AI chatbot is only currently available for 1% of users using Epic Games' English-language player support website, though it is planning a wider rollout in the future. Epic Games did not confirm the extent to which Fortnite's new AI chatbot will be able to assist players, other than "support questions."
Epic Games is Testing AI for Player Support
The rollout of Epic Games' chatbot would not be the first time a major developer has pushed for using AI for its customer support. Microsoft debuted its own AI customer support bot late last year, with players able to speak to a conversational AI in order to resolve issues with their Xbox accounts. The Xbox developer also introduced a new version of its "Copilot" AI system focused on games earlier this year, with fans able to ask a chatbot for help with different games.
Epic Games' new AI chatbot makes its debut as Fortnite is gearing up for a major event to launch in the coming weeks. Fortnite is getting ready to roll out its annual "Fortnitemares" Halloween event, with several major crossovers planned to hit the game during the event. Epic Games has already begun to tease K-Pop Demon Hunters as one of Fortnite's highlight collabs for the event, alongside rumors about Jason Voorhees, Scooby-Doo, and plenty more. Fans of Fortnite should have lots to look forward to from the battle royale this October.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- September 26, 2017
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
