Vampire Survivors studio Poncle is “reviewing” its Fortnite collaboration after the State of Unreal show and Epic’s focus on generative AI

Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is reconsidering its Fortnite collaboration following Epic Games’ announcement about generative AI integration in Unreal Engine 6. During the State of Unreal presentation on June 17, Epic detailed plans to incorporate AI tools into its development processes and Fortnite content creation. The company demonstrated how generative AI is used to enhance hand-drawn designs, turn sketches into detailed artwork, and experiment with alternative character skins and art assets.

Just hours after the announcement revealed that Vampire Survivors would be one of four new franchises coming to Fortnite—alongside Control Resonant, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Phantom Blade Zero—Poncle posted on Reddit stating it was “reviewing” the collaboration. The studio expressed concerns about Epic’s generative AI usage for creating game assets, including Fortnite characters, and committed to updating the community if the situation changes.

The response highlights growing tensions within the gaming industry regarding generative AI adoption. While some studios are exploring AI tools to streamline development, others remain cautious about the technology’s implications. Poncle’s decision to reassess suggests that ethical concerns or philosophical objections to AI usage may influence collaboration decisions, even with major publishers like Epic Games. This situation underscores evolving industry attitudes toward generative AI, as developers balance potential benefits against broader concerns about the technology’s impact.

Vampire Survivors studio Poncle is “reviewing” its Fortnite collaboration after the State of Unreal show and Epic’s focus on generative AI

Sources