Wayne June, Narrator of Darkest Dungeon, Dies

Darkest Dungeon’s Narrator Wayne June Has Passed

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. His passing was announced 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.

The news highlighted the profound impact June had on the game. Darkest Dungeon's creative director, Chris Bourassa, and Red Hook co-founder Tyler Sigman, initially approached Wayne to narrate the trailer for the first game. This collaboration blossomed into a decade-long partnership, which Bourassa described as "incredible and fulfilling." He lauded June's distinctive baritone voice, which added a majestic quality to the narration, elevating the entire experience. Bourassa expressed his admiration for June's professionalism and passion for his craft, stating, "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 with PC Gamer that his introduction to June came through the narrator's captivating readings of H.P. Lovecraft audiobooks. These recordings were so impactful that Bourassa shared them with Sigman, who was equally mesmerized by June's ability to bring the stories to life. This led to 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 recalled. June's voice became a cornerstone of Darkest Dungeon's identity, continuing into the second installment.

Fans have expressed their heartfelt condolences, acknowledging June's significant contributions to their gaming experiences. Many have celebrated his memorable voice, often quoting his lines from the game in their tributes. Some fans even shared how they find themselves reciting his lines in everyday life, a testament to how deeply his narration resonated with them. As the community reflects on his legacy, they hope that Wayne June's voice will continue to live on in the hearts of all who cherished his work. May he rest in peace.