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 shared across various Darkest Dungeon social media channels and the game's official website. At this time, the cause of his death has not been disclosed to the public.
Darkest Dungeon's creative director, Chris Bourassa, and Red Hook co-founder Tyler Sigman expressed their deep sorrow in a heartfelt statement. They recounted how their journey with June began when they reached out to him to narrate the trailer for the first game. This collaboration quickly turned into a decade-long partnership that enriched the game's atmosphere. Bourassa praised June's distinctive baritone voice, noting how it added a majestic quality to 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 shared in a tweet.
In an interview with PC Gamer, Bourassa revealed that his initial encounter with June's work was through his narrations of H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks, which he found captivating. He shared these recordings with Sigman, who was equally impressed by June's ability to breathe life into the stories. Inspired by this, they decided to approach June for the Darkest Dungeon trailer. "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 an integral part of Darkest Dungeon's identity, continuing into the second installment.
Fans have poured out their condolences, expressing gratitude for June's role in enhancing their gaming experience. Many highlighted his memorable voice, often quoting his lines from the game in their tributes. Some even shared how his narrations have become part of their everyday conversations, a testament to the lasting impact of his work. As the community remembers Wayne June, his voice continues to resonate within the hearts of all who played Darkest Dungeon. May he rest in peace.
