Darkest Dungeon Creator Won't Replace Late Narrator with AI Despite His Permission
Wayne June will live in our memories.
Darkest Dungeon is one of those unique games that inspire clones – a true testament to the title's success. While the sequel attracted polarizing attention when it came out, one thing was praised consistently in both installments: the narrator's voice, deep and mesmerizing.
Unfortunately, Darkest Dungeon 3 will have to do without it: Wayne June, the actor behind Ancestor, passed away last year. So, now, Red Hook Studios can find someone to replace him, change the narrative, or use his voice to train AI.
If you rooted for the latter, you'll be disappointed: the studio's director and co-founder, Chris Bourassa, stated that while June himself allowed him to do that, "something he'd staunchly opposed prior to the end," the team will not stoop to it.
"We'd never asked to do it. I think he was trying to put the game/team/fans first – offer us a 'way forward'. I declined, and we donated to his family anyway."
"I would never, ever erode his incredible and timeless performances by teaching a machine to sound like him. His voice and delivery was human, and I'm forever grateful I got to write for him."
June was an actor, musician, and singer; you could hear him in Liberty: Vigilance, BBC New Creatives: The Siren's Song, and YouTube videos where he narrated horror books.
As for Darkest Dungeon 3, Red Hook hasn't made any promises yet, and DD2 is receiving support and DLCs, so if the developers decide to make another game, it will be far away in the future.
One thing is clear: it will not be the same without the iconic voice of Ancestor.
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