Wayne June, Darkest Dungeon's Iconic Narrator, Passes Away

The Ancestor and the Academic Lives On

The gaming community mourns the loss of Wayne June, the voice behind the unforgettable narrator in the Darkest Dungeon series. His passing was announced across various Darkest Dungeon social media channels and the official game website. As of now, the cause of his death has not been disclosed to the public.

The news highlighted the journey of June's involvement with the series, beginning when Darkest Dungeon creative director Chris Bourassa and Red Hook co-founder Tyler Sigman approached him to narrate the trailer for the first game. This initial collaboration blossomed into a profound and rewarding partnership. Bourassa praised June’s distinctive baritone voice, describing it as having a unique grandeur that enhanced 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 concluded in a heartfelt tweet.

Bourassa shared with PC Gamer that his first encounter with June's voice was through H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks, which he listened to religiously until Red Hook’s inception. He even shared the CDs with Sigman, who was equally captivated by June's ability to breathe life into the stories. This experience led them to the realization that June's voice was exactly what Darkest Dungeon needed. "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, carrying over to the sequel as well.

The outpouring of condolences from fans across the globe underscores the profound impact June had on their gaming experiences. Many expressed gratitude for his role in enriching the Darkest Dungeon universe, praising his iconic voice and memorable lines that have become part of their daily lexicon. Fans reminisced about how his narrations added depth and emotion, with some even quoting his lines in everyday life. Wayne June's legacy will continue to resonate within the gaming community, his voice echoing in the hearts of all who were touched by his work. May he rest in peace.