The iconic voice behind the two “Darkest Dungeon” games has passed away. The developer bids farewell and a community mourns.
The two “Darkest Dungeon” games owe their success not only to good game design but also largely to their iconic narrator, Wayne June. He perfectly embodied the atmosphere and the prevailing sense of despair in the game. Nearly every action, every new screen, and every twist in the battle was accompanied by the narrator, who often commented on the events with slightly lyrical phrases.
You can also hear Wayne June’s voice in the trailer for the second part of the game:
Now Wayne June has passed away and is honored by the developers and the community. The Creative Director of Darkest Dungeon spoke out, said goodbye to Wayne, and explained how much he valued him:
“Twelve years ago, Tyler and I reached out to Wayne to ask him to narrate the trailer for our indie game. Since those first magical moments when we connected his words to the images, it has been an incredible and fulfilling collaboration for us. Wayne’s unique baritone and masterful cadence elevated everything he read. He was a flawless professional, and his love for his work was an inspiration. His unmatched work is so deeply woven into the fabric of this industry that it is unforgettable.”
“It has been a great honor for me to write for him over the past ten years. Even though I could never shake his hand, I valued him as a friend. Thank you, Wayne.”
Some of the most famous lines that many of you surely have ringing in your ears:
- “Ruin has come to our family.”
- “Great adversity has a beauty, it is the fire that tempers the blade.”
- “A man in a robe, claiming communion with the divine. Madness.”
Many of the quotes have become memes in the community, often far beyond the boundaries of the game – or cynical retorts that players hurl at friends and acquaintances.
The community bids farewell to a distinctive voice: The community also mourns the death of Wayne June. In the Subreddit for the game, many players express their condolences. The memorial thread for Wayne has over 10,000 upvotes:
- “Rest in peace, Wayne. Your voice will be missed, but its echo will resonate forever in these halls.” – Thunderpants98
- “Oh man. I often find myself inadvertently quoting some of his lines while playing other games or just doing things around the house. His voice will be missed.” – nurse_uwu
- “‘Many have fallen in the face of chaos, not this one … not today.’ Wayne became a part of our lives in one way or another. Voice actors are extremely talented and able to create images in our minds, but they are extremely undervalued and hard to find. Thank you for the many years of memories you have given us. May you truly never experience darkness in the afterlife.” – FuryMustang95
With Wayne June’s passing, one of the most distinctive voices in gaming has forever fallen silent – even though his work will surely contribute for many years to the fact that many players will build a very special connection with the “Darkest Dungeon” series.
