Fortnite’s Rogue Vader AI, Cyberpunk’s Shiny New City, and the Week’s Wildest Gaming News

Alright gamers, buckle up because this week was wild. We’re talking about a galaxy far, far away colliding with the battle royale island, a trip to a brand-new dystopian future, and some questionable design choices that got the internet buzzing. Ready for the full download?

Darth Vader Gets an AI Voice in Fortnite, SAG-AFTRA Says ‘Hold Up’

So, here’s the scoop: In a move that stirred the Force (and maybe some legal waters), Fortnite apparently featured an AI-generated voice for the iconic Darth Vader that sounded suspiciously like the legendary James Earl Jones. Now, Jones, who has voiced Vader for decades, reportedly signed off on the use of his archival voice recordings to be used for AI synthesis before his passing or retirement from the role, allowing his unique vocal performance to continue in characters like Vader.

However, the powerful voice actor’s union, SAG-AFTRA, which represents performers in film, television, and video games, raised an eyebrow this past week. They’re putting Fortnite and Epic Games under the microscope, questioning the specifics of this AI implementation. Their concern centers around the potential implications for voice actors and the ethical use of AI in replicating human performances. It’s a debate that’s getting louder as AI tech advances, and seeing it play out with a character as globally recognized as Darth Vader in a game as massive as Fortnite is definitely big news.

This whole situation highlights a growing tension between technological advancements and the protection of artistic livelihoods. Unions like SAG-AFTRA are pushing for clear guidelines and compensation structures when AI is used to replicate or replace human talent. For gamers, it brings up questions about authenticity – do we want beloved characters voiced by AI or real actors? It’s a complex issue with no easy answers, and Fortnite’s Vader seems to be right in the middle of it.

Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel: Leaving Night City Behind?

From a galaxy far, far away, we’re jumping into a neon-drenched, dystopian future. CD Projekt Red dropped some tantalizing hints about the next chapter in the Cyberpunk 2077 saga (codenamed “Project Orion”). And the biggest takeaway? It looks like we might be saying goodbye to Night City… at least as the primary setting.

The devs have stated their intention to build the sequel in a new city. This is a pretty huge deal. Night City is arguably as much a character in Cyberpunk 2077 as V or Johnny Silverhand. Its intricate districts, towering corporations, and seedy underbelly are central to the game’s identity. Moving to a new location offers a fresh start, new stories, and a chance to explore a different corner of the Cyberpunk universe. Will it be another sprawling Californian metropolis? A grittier, more industrial hub? The speculation is already running wild.

This decision likely stems from a desire to innovate and surprise players. While Night City is cool, exploring a completely different environment could inject a massive dose of novelty into the sequel. It also allows the developers to address some of the criticisms leveled at the original game’s open world – perhaps a new city will offer different kinds of activities, verticality, or environmental storytelling. Whatever they cook up, the prospect of a new Cyberpunk setting built from the ground up on CD Projekt Red’s lessons learned is genuinely exciting.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Says “No Thanks” to Animal Cruelty

Switching gears completely, let’s talk about feudal Japan and the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In a design choice that some players might find… interesting, the development team confirmed that you won’t be able to kill animals in the game’s open world. Now, Assassin’s Creed games have traditionally featured hunting as a mechanic, allowing players to harvest resources from wildlife. This decision in Shadows marks a departure from that formula.

The developers explained that this was a deliberate choice, likely aimed at aligning the game with certain cultural sensitivities or simply making a design statement. While some players might miss the hunting aspect, others will probably appreciate a more focused approach that perhaps shifts emphasis onto other environmental interactions or character-driven objectives. It’s a reminder that game design involves countless decisions, and sometimes those decisions involve excluding seemingly common mechanics for specific reasons.

This kind of decision can spark debate within the gaming community. Some argue for complete player freedom, including the ability to interact with the world in any way they choose (within the game’s context, obviously). Others support developers making choices that align with their artistic vision or potentially avoid controversial content. Ultimately, whether this enhances or detracts from the Assassin’s Creed Shadows experience remains to be seen, but it’s definitely a noteworthy design choice.

Clair Obscur: Expeditions to the End Goes From Anticipated to Trolled

Finally, let’s touch on something a bit more… unsettling. Clair Obscur: Expeditions to the End, an upcoming fantasy RPG with a unique art style, recently faced a wave of bizarre and arguably targeted “trollish behavior” online. Without getting into the nitty-gritty details (some of which were pretty unpleasant), the game’s developers and community faced coordinated attacks and harassment, seemingly for no legitimate reason related to the game itself.

This unfortunate incident highlights the darker side of online gaming communities and the internet as a whole. Development teams, especially independent ones, are often vulnerable to this kind of behavior, which can be incredibly demoralizing and disruptive. It’s a stark reminder that behind every game are real people who put countless hours into creating something they hope players will enjoy.

Seeing a promising looking game become the target of this kind of negativity is disappointing. It underscores the need for better online etiquette and for platforms to have robust moderation tools to protect creators and welcoming communities. Hopefully, the team behind Clair Obscur can weather this storm and their game finds the audience it deserves, free from unwarranted harassment.

Wrapping Up the Week’s Gaming Shenanigans

So there you have it – a week packed with AI voice controversies, exciting sequel reveals, eyebrow-raising design choices, and unfortunately, a reminder of the less savory aspects of online interaction. The world of gaming is always spinning, bringing new highs and frustrating lows.

What do you make of the Darth Vader AI situation? Are you hyped for a new Cyberpunk city? Do you care about not being able to hunt in Assassin’s Creed Shadows