Darkest Dungeon’s Beloved Narrator Wayne June Has Passed
The Ancestor and the Academic Live On
The gaming community mourns the loss of Wayne June, the iconic voice behind the narrator in the Darkest Dungeon series. His 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 news highlighted how Darkest Dungeon's creative director Chris Bourassa and Red Hook co-founder Tyler Sigman initially approached Wayne to narrate the first game's trailer. This led to a long-lasting and fruitful partnership. Bourassa praised June's distinctive baritone, describing it as magnificent and transformative. "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 shared in a heartfelt tribute.
Bourassa revealed to PC Gamer that his introduction to June came through his captivating readings of H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks. These readings, which Bourassa enjoyed even before founding Red Hook, were so compelling that he shared them with Sigman. The duo was inspired by June’s ability to bring the eerie world of Lovecraft to life, prompting them to consider him for 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 explained. June’s voice became integral to the Darkest Dungeon experience, carrying over to the sequel.
Fans have expressed their heartfelt condolences, thanking June for his significant contributions to the Darkest Dungeon series. Many lauded his iconic voice and memorable quotes, with some admitting to using his lines in everyday conversations. June's impact on the gaming community is profound, and his voice will continue to resonate with fans. May Wayne June rest in peace, and may his legacy live on in the hearts of all who cherished his work.