Fortnite Maker Epic Games Details Use of Generative AI in Concept Art and Design
Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, has provided insight into its creative process for new character skins and in-game locations, confirming the integration of generative AI tools in certain stages. A video released on the Unreal Engine YouTube channel illustrates how AI assists in modifying hand-drawn concepts to resemble 3D models and exploring alternative visual takes for environments. The company emphasizes that human artists retain control over the ideation and final refinement, with AI primarily serving to accelerate the timeline for iterations and allow artists to focus on design specifics. This disclosure follows previous inquiries from fans regarding potential AI involvement in Fortnite assets.
Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, has confirmed its use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the development of new character skins and in-game locations. A video published on the Unreal Engine YouTube channel offered a behind-the-scenes look at these processes.
The design workflow for new Fortnite characters typically begins with hand-drawn designs and iterations. Generative AI tools are then employed to modify these concepts, helping them to appear more like 3D models. Epic Games clarified that AI is utilized in later concept art stages, distinguishing it from the initial human-driven ideation phase. The company acknowledges that AI generation can introduce unwanted elements or errors, which human artists subsequently identify and correct.
An Epic Games staff member stated that AI helps to "skip ahead in the timeline," allowing artists to concentrate on refining and crafting designs. While the video clarified that AI does not create characters from the ground up, it confirmed its role within the company's workflow, noting the possibility of mistakes being missed during subsequent human checks.
A similar approach is applied to designing in-game locations. Artists start with hand-drawn sketches in Photoshop, which are then recreated in 3D using Blender. These 3D images are further adapted in Photoshop with AI prompts to explore variations, such as day or night versions of a scene, or to simulate environmental changes like a meteor strike.
Epic Games stated that this integration allows teams to revise concepts faster, offering artists more opportunities for exploration. The company maintains that all designs undergo continuous reviews before implementation, with artists ensuring originality, tracking provenance, and meeting Epic's quality standards.
This disclosure follows questions from Fortnite fans regarding potential AI use in certain in-game assets. Epic Games has previously used generative AI for other projects, including reproducing James Earl Jones' Darth Vader portrayal, which generated controversy. Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney has also expressed a view that AI use will become so prevalent that mandatory disclosure labels on game stores will be redundant, suggesting their relevance is more for authorship disclosure in art exhibits or licensing marketplaces.
(Source: IGN)
