Darkest Dungeon developer Pink Hook Studios has stated it is not going to use AI to recreate the voice of late voice actor Wayne June.
In a reply to a publish on the Darkest Dungeon subreddit, studio co-founder Chris Bourassa talked about how the long-lasting narrator’s demise will impression the sequence going ahead (by way of Kotaku). He stated he desires followers to be assured that Pink Hook will “by no means erode” June’s legacy by utilizing AI to imitate her efficiency.
“In his final electronic mail to me, Mr. Wayne gave me permission to coach my voice on an AI, which he was adamantly towards previous to termination,” Bourassa stated. “We by no means requested him to try this. I feel he was making an attempt to place the sport, the staff, and the followers first and provides us a ‘path ahead.'” I stated no, so I donated to his household anyway. ”
Pink Hook confirmed June handed away in January 2025. Bourassa stated in an announcement on the time that June had lent his voice to Darkest Dungeon for the previous 10 years, saying, “Writing for him has been one of many biggest honors of my life.” She added: “Despite the fact that I wasn’t in a position to shake his hand, I knew he was a good friend.”
June’s work on Darkest Dungeon helped convey that darkish world to life with the unique launch in 2016 and the sequel in 2023. Bourassa is totally conscious of the vital function voiceover performed on this sequence. That is why you will not hear empty imitations of synthetic intelligence in future works.
“I’d by no means attempt to destroy his extremely timeless efficiency by educating a machine to sound like him,” Bourassa added in a Reddit reply. “His voice and the best way he spoke was so human. I am without end grateful to have been in a position to write for him.”
Issues that AI will exchange each the dwelling and the lifeless have solely grown in recent times. In January, Grasp Chief actor Steve Downs spoke out towards an AI model of his voice. In 2024, Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. threatened to sue any government who used synthetic intelligence to recreate his likeness, dwelling or not.
As Deep because the Grave got here beneath fireplace from moviegoers simply this 12 months after the manufacturing staff introduced they’d be utilizing AI to recreate actor Val Kilmer, who died final 12 months. In the meantime, the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences introduced an replace to its guidelines earlier this month that will prohibit AI performances from being nominated for the 2027 Oscars.
Michael Cripe is a contract author for IGN. He’s greatest identified for his work on websites resembling The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Comply with him on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
