Wayne June, Darkest Dungeon Narrator, Dies

Darkest Dungeon’s beloved narrator, Wayne June, has sadly passed away. This article shares details of this tragic news.

The Ancestor and the Academic Live On

The voice behind the narration in the Darkest Dungeon series, Wayne June, has passed away. The announcement was made across Darkest Dungeon's social media channels and official website. At this time, the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

News reports detail how Darkest Dungeon Creative Director Chris Bourassa and Red Hook Studios co-founder Tyler Sigman initially contacted Wayne to narrate the first game's trailer. This led to an "incredible and fulfilling collaboration." They praised June's magnificent, iconic baritone voice, which elevated every aspect of the narration. Bourassa stated, "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 with PC Gamer that he discovered June through his H.P. Lovecraft audiobook narrations, which he listened to frequently before Red Hook Studios was founded. He even shared the CDs with Sigman, who was equally captivated by June's performance. This led them to consider June for 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 integral to Darkest Dungeon's identity, continuing into the second installment.

Fans have expressed their condolences, thanking June for his contribution to their Darkest Dungeon experience. Many praised his iconic voice and shared memorable quotes from the game, some even noting how his lines have become part of their everyday speech. Wayne June will be remembered, and his voice will live on in the hearts of many. May he rest in peace.