Fortnite's Stance on AI-Generated Thumbnails

05/01/2025 Action

The world of Fortnite is constantly evolving, and recently, a new element has emerged: the increasing use of AI-generated thumbnail images by third-party creators for their mini-games. Thousands of user-created islands exist within Fortnite, and many are promoted on the main menu. The surge in AI-generated imagery has led to questions regarding Epic Games' policy on this emerging technology.

Epic Games' Response

Surprisingly, Epic Games has stated it won't actively block AI-generated thumbnails. The focus remains on whether the thumbnail complies with their community guidelines, not the tool used to create it. Detecting AI-generated images is becoming increasingly difficult, potentially rendering any ban unenforceable in the long run. The company prioritizes adherence to rules over the method of creation.

AI and Future Development

While embracing technological advancements, Epic Games affirmed its commitment to human-created content, particularly for first-party assets. They believe that human creativity and oversight yield superior results, and don't foresee using AI for generating things like character skins any time soon. Ethical considerations around ownership and licensing of AI-generated content play a significant role in this decision. The current noticeable difference in quality between AI and human-generated images further supports their preference for human-made content.