Darkest Dungeon’s Narrator Wayne June Has Passed
The Ancestor and the Academic Lives On
The voice that brought the haunting world of Darkest Dungeon to life, Wayne June, has sadly passed away. The announcement of June's passing was shared 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 the journey of how Darkest Dungeon's creative director, Chris Bourassa, and Red Hook co-founder, Tyler Sigman, first approached Wayne June to narrate the trailer for the original game. This marked the beginning of what they described as an "incredible and fulfilling collaboration." Bourassa praised June’s iconic baritone voice, noting its majestic quality that elevated 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 tribute.
Bourassa revealed to PC Gamer that his initial introduction to June came through the narrator's captivating readings of H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks. These readings were so impactful that Bourassa shared them with Sigman, who was equally mesmerized by June's ability to breathe life into the text. This led to the pivotal decision to have June narrate Darkest Dungeon's trailer, and eventually, the game itself. "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 an integral part of Darkest Dungeon's identity, continuing into the second installment.
Fans have expressed their deepest condolences, thanking Wayne June for his significant contributions that made their experiences with Darkest Dungeon more immersive and enjoyable. Many have lauded his iconic voice, often referencing his memorable in-game quotes in their tributes. Some fans have even shared that they find themselves quoting his lines in everyday life, a testament to how deeply his delivery resonated with them. May Wayne June rest in peace, and may his voice continue to live on in the hearts of all who cherished his work.
