On the passing of our beloved Wayne June

[KingSnack]

What is redhook planning on doing going forward? hes such an huge part of the both games, are they planning on getting a new voice actor? recreating his voice with AI, just doing a voiceless text narrator going forward? Canceling the series altogether?

i'm asking from the viewpoint of a hurting fan of the series, i was devastated when i heard of his passing.

[Agreus]

I think the AI version is the best solution.
No other voiceactor can give the same vibes as the original.
At the same time it is the most respectfull version since only a machine can imitate the original greatness.
And yes I know people hate AI but thats just how technology works it replaces us.

[Biggi]

I would assume they have a collection of recorded lines they can probably frankenstein together. But yeah other than that it is rough, the series will probably not die, just evolve, likely with a new voice actor.
I don't feel like recreating his voice with ai is correct, especially not so soon. Recreating the voice of a dead actor 20 years later is okay, but digitally necromancing your friend weeks after their passing does not feel right to me.

But either way I am not Red Hook so my word means little here.

[Gal Kraft]

Sorry, but a strong no to A.I. from me. A.I. is cool and all but fresh talent please. Pay a vocalist, not a necromancer. The voice was distinct, but I am not convinced there are not other Lovecraftian potentials out there with plenty of varied strengths. Give humans more credit.

[KingSnack]

Originally posted by Gal Kraft:

Sorry, but a strong no to A.I. from me. A.I. is cool and all but fresh talent please. Pay a vocalist, not a necromancer. The voice was distinct, but I am not convinced there are not other Lovecraftian potentials out there with plenty of varied strengths. Give humans more credit.

Im in the middle, i do think Steven Hartley's gravely voice would make a perfect narrator but im just curious as to what Redhook is going to do moving forward

[KingSnack]

Originally posted by Biggi:

I would assume they have a collection of recorded lines they can probably frankenstein together. But yeah other than that it is rough, the series will probably not die, just evolve, likely with a new voice actor.
I don't feel like recreating his voice with ai is correct, especially not so soon. Recreating the voice of a dead actor 20 years later is okay, but digitally necromancing your friend weeks after their passing does not feel right to me.

But either way I am not Red Hook so my word means little here.

I agree, especially if his family wouldnt be okay with it, im just asking from a concerned fans standpoint.

[Huge Beard Guy]

Originally posted by KingSnack:

What is redhook planning on doing going forward?recreating his voice with AI, just doing a voiceless text narrator going forward?.

I typed this the other day:

Originally posted by Huge Beard Guy:

Originally posted by QuartzBeam:

The Coven appears to be brand new outside of the Hateful Virago.

From the boarder and the silhouette, it looks like it could be Weald inspired as you suggested via "the Hateful Virago".

I was thinking the other day how a new narrator could attempt to fill the gap that the recently departed Wayne June has left. Perhaps a female narrator could take the torch and play the role of the Hag* who at some point could've had relations with the Crimson Court.

* I only suggest the Hag because looking at the enemy list via Kingdoms screen, the Court is last.

I could see a women with a baritone* (heavy sounding) voice filling the void due to upcoming Weald inspired Kingdoms release and/or a raspy female voice for the Crimson Court inspired Kingdoms release.

I dunno who exactly, however, I think what I suggested are the obvious ideas.

* I know "baritone" is used to describe a male voice such as Wayne Junes so whatever the female equivalent would be, "deep" (?).

[Mitz]

Rest in peace to the legend.

The timing for DD is most unfortunate... I feel as though launching a new game mode (such as Kingdoms) with a new narrator would've been the simplest solution. But seeing as how we're in the middle of the Kingdoms expansion now, that kind of throws a wrench in that idea... Of course going back now would be quite disrespectful, but they could implement a sort of "legacy" setting for players to bring his narration back for the beastmen, at least.

I'm sure Red Hook likely have a solution in the works, though it won't be easy to follow June's amazing performance.

[WELLINGTON]

Originally posted by Gal Kraft:

Sorry, but a strong no to A.I. from me. A.I. is cool and all but fresh talent please. Pay a vocalist, not a necromancer. The voice was distinct, but I am not convinced there are not other Lovecraftian potentials out there with plenty of varied strengths. Give humans more credit.

But this is an unfinished work that doesn't have a good possible solution with a replacement. It's very different if it were a new game like DD3, then I would be against an AI and we would need opportunities and new blood.

[Palo Wagner]

Personaly I do not want a change in narrator. So Im fine with AI, tho i would go with what Wayne would prefer

[KingSnack]

You guys should look up some of Steven Hartley's voice work as a potential candidate, he voices Eredin from the witcher and Sir Vilhelm in Dark souls 3, i think his voice would make a good replacement.

Nobody is going to be the next Wayne, obviously but a successor is going to be needed going forward i honestly doubt Redhook would use AI to replace wayne unless he gave them permission on his deathbed to do so.

[Young Erusean Officer]

I don't think AI is at the stage it could replace Wayne completely. It would be much better to hire a voice actor that impersonates him or take the opportunity with the change of narrator to add in a fresh take.

[[AMB]Messer]

On the "Against A.I." team here. For all it worth, AI simply won't be able to recreate all the charm and personality and EMOTIONS of Wayne June. And if anything, even in spite of what players want. I feel AI idea must be skipped because Wayne himself was heavily against the use of AI (from what I've heard). Using the AI of his voice, in my eyes, is a huge disrespect to him and his legacy.

[Leoscar]

To use AI voice would be disrespectful to the original voice actor. There are plenty of talented voice actors out there, and many who could fill a narrator's role.

[Gal Kraft]

I'd even be ok with a separate voice for 2/3 and 3/3 Kingdoms. The familiar voice of Confessions (and DD1) for the big and tough beastmen, then an insidious/sultry voice for the bloodsuckers, then a Tales from the Crypt-like voice for the undead.

[MarcoPants]

whatever they do, RH better stay away from using an ai copy of him. That's one way to make me drop the game entirely for desecrating the talented voice acting Wayne June has done for the series