- Primary Subject: Fortnite
- Key Update: Data miners have leaked an upcoming bundle featuring "Tung Tung Sahur" and "Ballerina Cappucina," characters based on viral generative AI memes.
- Status: Leaked / Unreleased
- Last Verified: April 1, 2026
- Quick Answer: Fortnite is rumored to release skins based on AI-generated "Italian brainrot" memes, leading to community backlash over artistic theft and the environmental impact of AI.
With games like Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 previously getting ripped to shreds for using generative AI in their early development, is it fair that Fortnite can add the AI Italian brainrot as skin bundles and get away with it scot-free?
In the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2 trailer, players were quick to notice a brief shot of Tung Tung Sahur and Ballerina Cappucina, two popular AI Italian brainrot memes, featured as potential skins. Soon, data miners and leakers confirmed that the two characters would be featured as a bundle.
While they remain unconfirmed as of this writing, it's likely that a whole bundle featuring the skins, Pickaxe, and Back Bling will be released. But should they? No, I don't think so.
Fortnite Should Not Be Promoting AI Slop Like Italian Brainrot
I'll admit, when Italian brainrot became a thing, I found it funny for a while. But that didn't last long - the realities of AI in our current environment became too much to ignore. Not only is generative AI stealing from real artists, but data centers for AI are consuming massive amounts of energy and water, negatively affecting water supplies and carbon emissions.
So why is a huge gaming giant like Fortnite potentially going to promote, and even profit, from generative AI? Worse, AI slop - something made so poorly for the sake of a quick, non-meaningful laugh?
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In the past, Fortnite has collaborated with major franchises like Honkai Star Rail and Resident Evil Requiem. They've worked with Ariana Grande, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter. They definitely could have worked with other major franchise giants for a skin, like Netflix or another pop star.
Heck, they could've worked on another original character, which they're great at. In fact, some of my favorite skins are Fortnite originals.
Instead, it looks as though they are releasing AI slop. Even if they had actual 3D artists create the model, it doesn't change the fact that Tung Tung Sahur and Ballerina Cappucina are AI-generated art. Doing this instead of enlisting real artists to make something from scratch is an insult.
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Games shouldn't rely on AI to make a quick buck. Especially giants like Fortnite, which definitely have the funds to get real artists. By using generative AI, you are turning against those who actually love and do art for video games.
I know I'm not the only one who thinks this. In fact, plenty of users on X and Reddit have spoken about quitting Fortnite after noticing them in the trailer and how they're afraid their in-game experience will worsen just seeing the memes on the map. This reaction is similar to how people reacted when AI was discovered in the early patches of Crimson Desert and when it was exposed that Expedition 33 used generative AI for early development, but not in the actual game.
But this isn't everyone. Fortnite's player base runs young, and kids are less informed about the dangers of AI generative art. They might see these skins as funny, seek out more art, and not every Italian brainrot meme is kid-friendly. Worse, they might rely on generative AI to make their own versions, which will cause cognitive dependency on AI and worsen the environment.
Fortnite, do better. You have in the past - you can do it again.
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