The gaming community mourns the loss of Wayne June, the iconic voice behind the narrator of the Darkest Dungeon series, who has sadly passed away. The news of his death was shared across various Darkest Dungeon social media channels and the game's official website. At the time of writing, the cause of his passing has not been disclosed to the public.
Darkest Dungeon's creative director, Chris Bourassa, and Red Hook co-founder, Tyler Sigman, reminisced about their initial outreach to June to narrate the first game's trailer, marking the beginning of an "incredible and fulfilling collaboration." Bourassa lauded June's magnificent baritone voice, which brought a unique grandeur to the narration, enhancing the overall experience of the game. "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.
Bourassa also revealed to PC Gamer that his introduction to June's talent came through the narrator's captivating readings of H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks, which he shared with Sigman. These readings were so impactful that they inspired 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 Darkest Dungeon series, extending his contribution into the second installment.
Fans have expressed their deepest condolences, celebrating June's significant impact on their gaming experiences. Many have highlighted his distinctive voice, often quoting memorable lines from the game in their tributes. Some fans even shared anecdotes of how June's narration has become a part of their everyday conversations, a testament to the lasting impression he left. May Wayne June rest in peace, and may his voice continue to resonate in the hearts of all who cherished his work.
