Darkest Dungeon’s Beloved Narrator Wayne June Has Passed Away
The Ancestor and the Academic Lives On
The gaming community mourns the loss of Wayne June, the iconic voice behind the narrator in the Darkest Dungeon series. June's passing was announced across various Darkest Dungeon social media channels and the game's official website. As of now, the cause of his death has not been disclosed to the public.
The announcement highlighted the profound impact June had on the game. Darkest Dungeon's creative director, Chris Bourassa, and Red Hook co-founder Tyler Sigman, initially approached June to narrate the trailer for the first game. This marked the beginning of what they described as an "incredible and fulfilling collaboration." Bourassa praised June's distinctive baritone, noting its majestic quality that enriched every narration. "He was a consummate professional, and his love of his craft was an inspiration. His inimitable work is woven into the very fabric of our industry in a way that cannot be forgotten. It is one of my greatest honors to have written for him this past decade. Though I never got to shake his hand, I knew him to be a friend. Thank you, Wayne," Bourassa expressed in a heartfelt tweet.
In an interview with PC Gamer, Bourassa revealed that his introduction to June came through the narrator's readings of H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks, which he enjoyed up until the founding of Red Hook. He shared these recordings with Sigman, who was equally captivated by June's ability to breathe life into the written word. This admiration led to the decision to feature June's voice in Darkest Dungeon. "I think more verbatim, it was, 'We should get somebody like Wayne June to narrate the trailer.' Then we thought—wait, Wayne June reads stuff for a living! Maybe he would do it! The work of course was so good that we decided to add a narrator to the game itself," they recounted. June's voice became a cornerstone of the game's identity, continuing into the sequel.
Fans have expressed their deepest condolences, celebrating June's contribution to making their Darkest Dungeon experiences more immersive and memorable. Many have lauded his unforgettable voice, often quoting his lines from the game in their tributes. Some fans even shared anecdotes of how June's delivery of certain lines has become a part of their everyday conversations, demonstrating the lasting impact of his work. May Wayne June rest in peace, and may his voice continue to resonate in the hearts of fans everywhere.
