Five Nights at Freddy's (FNaF) is an indie horror video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon. It began with the original Five Nights at Freddy's (2014), developed in about six months with Clickteam Fusion 2.5, and released for Windows via Desura. The core premise across the series centers on surviving night shifts at locations tied to Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza—an animatronic-filled family-entertainment restaurant—while avoiding hostile, roaming animatronics that become active at night.

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2014): Players act as a night security guard monitoring security cameras, doors, lights, and limited power to survive five nights. Its jump-scare mechanics and resource-management tension defined the series’ gameplay loop.

Sequels and spin-offs: The franchise expanded rapidly with numbered sequels (FNaF 2–4), prequels, and reimaginings (Sister Location), each adding mechanics (e.g., multiple power systems, ventilation, different office setups) and deepening the lore. Later titles include Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted (a VR/compilation title) and Security Breach (a larger-scale, free-roam experience starring a child named Gregory trapped overnight in Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex).

Platforms: The games have appeared on PC, mobile (iOS/Android), consoles, and VR platforms; various online flash/unblocked versions and fan ports also exist.

The series is notable for an intricate, often cryptic lore involving haunted/possessed animatronics, missing children, murders, a mysterious Purple Guy, and corporate cover-ups. Lore is revealed through gameplay, hidden easter eggs, mini-games, and community-driven theorycrafting, making the story a major attraction for fans.

FNaF revitalized indie horror in the 2010s, influencing jump-scare design and asymmetric tension mechanics. It spawned a large fanbase, extensive fan art, novels, merchandise, and a film adaptation effort. Its creator, Scott Cawthon, became a high-profile indie developer due to the franchise’s success.

Atmosphere: Heavy reliance on sound design, limited player agency, and anticipation to build dread.

Difficulty and replayability: Later nights, multiple endings, and hidden content reward mastery and exploration.

Varied styles: From static-camera tension to VR immersion and free-roam stealth, entries experiment with perspective and mechanics while retaining the franchise’s core horror identity.

Some entries received mixed reviews for repetitive mechanics or uneven experimental shifts (e.g., moving from camera-based to open-world). The dense, fragmented lore can be polarizing—rewarding to dedicated fans but confusing to newcomers.

As a franchise built on jump scares and horror themes, it’s not suitable for younger audiences.

For first-time players: Begin with the original Five Nights at Freddy’s to experience the foundational mechanics and tone.

For lore seekers: Play through the mainline entries in release order and explore community resources and Scott Cawthon’s clues to follow the unfolding narrative.

For varied gameplay: Try Help Wanted (VR/compilation) for varied mini-games and Security Breach for a larger, free-roam experience.

Official website and storefront pages (Steam, mobile stores) for purchase and platform availability.

Wikipedia and dedicated fandom wikis for detailed timelines, character lists, and lore summaries.

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