“His voice and delivery was human”: Darkest Dungeon developers will “never, ever” use genAI to replace narrator Wayne June
Following the January 2025 death of Wayne June, the iconic narrator of the Darkest Dungeon series, Red Hook Studios has made a firm commitment to never use generative AI to recreate his voice. Co-founder and creative director Chris Bourassa announced this decision during recent discussions about a potential Darkest Dungeon 3, emphasizing that June’s “voice and delivery was human” and could not be replaced by synthetic alternatives.
The decision is notable given a surprising revelation: in one of his final emails before his death, June gave Red Hook permission to train an AI model on his voice—a stark reversal from his previous staunch opposition to the technology. Despite this blessing, Bourassa and Red Hook have chosen to honor June’s legacy by rejecting the AI option entirely.
Wayne June’s distinctive narration was a defining feature of Darkest Dungeon, becoming inseparable from the game’s identity and atmosphere. His voice work contributed significantly to the series’ critical acclaim and player attachment. The studio’s stance reflects broader industry tensions around AI voice generation and the desire to preserve the work of deceased talent rather than artificially recreate it.
Red Hook’s commitment stands as a notable counterpoint to ongoing industry debates about generative AI in games, where some studios have moved toward synthetic voices to reduce costs. The decision underscores the human value of voice acting and the importance of respecting artists’ legacies even when technical alternatives become available.