Wayne June, Iconic Voice of Darkest Dungeon, Dies

Darkest Dungeon’s Beloved Narrator Wayne June Has Passed

The Ancestor and the Academic Lives On

The gaming community is mourning the loss of Wayne June, the iconic voice behind the narrator in the Darkest Dungeon series. The news of June's passing was shared across various Darkest Dungeon social media channels and the official website. At this time, the cause of his death has not been disclosed to the public.

Darkest Dungeon creative director Chris Bourassa and Red Hook co-founder Tyler Sigman expressed their deep sorrow over June’s passing. They recounted how their collaboration began when they reached out to June to narrate the trailer for the first game. This partnership evolved into what they described as an "incredible and fulfilling collaboration." Bourassa praised June’s distinctive baritone voice, noting its grandeur and how it elevated the entire narrative experience. "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 tweet.

Bourassa revealed to PC Gamer that his introduction to June's talent came through the narrator's readings of H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks, which he listened to regularly until the founding of Red Hook. He even shared these CDs with Sigman, who was equally captivated by June's ability to bring the stories to life. This admiration led them to the pivotal decision to have June narrate 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 from around the world have expressed their condolences, thanking June for his significant contributions that enriched their Darkest Dungeon experiences. Many lauded his unforgettable voice, often quoting his memorable lines from the game in their tributes. Some fans even shared that they find themselves quoting June's lines in everyday life, a testament to the lasting impact of his delivery. As the community remembers Wayne June, his voice will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who played the game. May he rest in peace, and his legacy live on through the echoes of his narration.