The renowned Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) franchise has haunted gamers with its nerve-wracking gameplay for over a decade. Each iteration weaves a complex web of lore, compelling fans to delve deeper to uncover the mysteries at the heart of the series.
What began as a straightforward survival horror experience has grown into a multifaceted narrative replete with themes of haunted animatronics, notorious child abductions, and the unyielding pursuit of secrecy by a tortured soul. Over 12 FNAF titles released within the last decade have crystallized the chilling story that the franchise presents.
This article serves as a navigational guide to the intricate and twisted lore surrounding Freddy Fazbear’s legacy, whether you are a seasoned veteran of the series or newly acquainted with its horrific charm.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 4
1983
FNAF 4 is widely regarded as the origin point of the franchise’s chilling saga. Players inhabit the world through the eyes of a terrified young boy, the youngest son of William Afton, who is plagued by horrifying nightmares that center on the animatronics from Fredbear’s Family Diner, a restaurant co-owned by his father and partner, Henry Emily.
The game immerses players in the boy’s harrowing encounters with these animatronics that stalk him within his own home. A pivotal event unfolds when his older brother, Michael Afton, and his friends subject him to a cruel prank involving the animatronic Fredbear. Tragically, the boy suffers an accident, known as the “Bite of ’83,”leading to his untimely death and setting off a chain of events that plunge both Afton and Michael into despair and a quest for redemption.
This traumatic incident catalyzes William Afton’s descent into darker impulses, prompting him to embark on “fear experiments”involving kidnapped children. It also marks the inception of his ultimate project, Circus Baby’s Entertainment and Rentals, the primary setting in Sister Location.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Into the Pit
1985 – 2020s
This unique installment unfolds over two distinct time periods: 1985 and the early 2020s, facilitated by time travel mechanics. The game’s narrative centers on a boy named Oswald, who ventures into a ball pit at Jeff’s Pizza only to be transported back to 1985, two years following the death of the youngest Afton child.
Jeff’s Pizza is revealed to be a renamed version of William Afton’s initial grim establishment, embroiled in his horrifying child abduction spree. Oswald unwittingly becomes entwined in the “Missing Children Incident,”during which five children vanish, their fates tragically sealed inside Afton’s animatronics, giving rise to the malevolent figures that haunt later FNAF titles.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
1987
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 marks the grand reopening of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria with new Toy animatronics and the return of The Puppet, who now houses the soul of Charlotte Emily, Henry’s daughter. Attempts to modernize the original animatronics were made, but they ended up being relegated to storage as resources instead.
In this chapter, players step into the shoes of night security guard Jeremy Fitzgerald, who must fend off the advancing animatronics using an old Freddy Fazbear mascot head to disguise himself. However, the location’s revival is short-lived, culminating in another tragedy termed “The Bite of ’87,”which results in further restrictions on animatronic movement and their shift to nocturnal activity.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location
Late 1980s/Early 1990s
Sister Location is pivotal in the FNAF chronology, occurring prior to the original game and in the wake of Freddy Fazbear’s second location closing. Players embody Michael Afton, who delves into Circus Baby’s Entertainment and Rentals, uncovering a horrifying lineup of Funtime Animatronics devised for nefarious purposes, including kidnapping children.
The game explores Michael’s quest to liberate the trapped souls within these animatronics, particularly his sister, after Elizabeth, his daughter, meets a horrific fate at the hands of Circus Baby during a demonstration. Following this catastrophe, the launch of Circus Baby’s Pizza World is scrapped, and the tragedy is buried as merely an accident.
Amidst this turmoil, Michael becomes ensnared in a web of betrayal and manipulation, culminating in his body being taken over by Ennard, a terrifying amalgamation of tortured souls seeking freedom.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
1993
The original Five Nights at Freddy’s is set in 1993, shortly after Sister Location. Players control Michael Afton (alias Mike Schmidt), who takes a night shift managing the latest iteration of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. As the nights progress, Michael learns to outsmart the animatronics, eventually being caught in a web of familial legacy and supernatural chaos.
In a frantic bid for immortality, William Afton seeks to absorb the souls trapped within the animatronics. However, his actions lead to his demise when he becomes ensnared within the Springtrap suit, binding his tormented spirit to the animatronic forever.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 3
Early 2020s
FNAF 3 is set thirty years post-original game, where the ominous legacy of William Afton continues to haunt the franchise. Now under Henry Emily’s leadership, Fazbear Entertainment repurposes old attractions into a haunted house, utilizing remnants from past establishments.
As players take on Michael Afton’s role once again, they confront the lingering specter of Springtrap while navigating a mix of thrilling survival horror and supernatural elements interspersed with troubling revelations about the Afton family history.
Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria Simulator
One in the 2020s
Pizzeria Simulator diverges sharply from traditional FNAF gameplay, adopting a restaurant management approach. In this installment, Henry Emily attempts to reconcile with his unsettling legacy by luring back animatronics from previous establishments to a new location.
Loyal players guide Michael Afton in gathering remnants, only to face an ultimate confrontation in which Henry purges the establishment, burning it down, aiming to liberate haunted souls once and for all. Michael’s choice to stay and face the flames embodies the complex themes of guilt, redemption, and familial duty that permeate the FNAF narrative.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted
Late 2020s/Early 2030s
Despite the presumed end of the saga with Pizzeria Simulator, the FNAF franchise finds new life in Help Wanted. Here, players assume the role of Vanessa, a game tester in a VR environment that seeks to sanitize the franchise’s violent history, only to face the emergence of Glitchtrap—William Afton’s digital remnant.
The entwining consciousness of Afton and Vanessa results in a perilous conflict, navigating through past horrors as the allure of the animatronics continues to cast dark shadows over the franchise.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach
2035
Security Breach introduces a fresh character, Gregory, who finds himself ensnared within the ominous Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizza Plex. As he navigates the perils of the modern establishment, Gregory encounters not only the Glamrock animatronics but also the vengeful presence of Vanny, now influenced by Glitchtrap.
This entry propels the story forward, hinting at deeper connections and unresolved mysteries related to Afton and the legacy of his family, all while maintaining the frights that fans have come to adore.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted 2
Late 2035/Early 2036
Help Wanted 2 amplifies the franchise’s lore, introducing more complexities while centering on a new character likely tied to previous events. Players navigate through a shadowy Pizza Plex, engaging with mechanics that engulf them deeper into the very fabric of FNAF’s haunted legacy.
The endings provide tantalizing slips of insight into the franchise’s past, with implications that reach back to the trauma of the Afton family’s history, broadened through character interactions and lore.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach – Ruin DLC
Late 2035/Early 2036
The Ruin DLC serves as a critical narrative piece within the FNAF timeline, introducing Cassie, a young girl searching for her friend Gregory amid the remnants of the Pizza Plex. As players guide Cassie through a labyrinth of horrors, the narrative unfolds, revealing dark entities manipulating events in a desperate bid for liberation.
The Mimic, a shadowy figure entangled with Apton’s essence, complicates the tale, leading to revelations about previous characters and their ties to the expansive FNAF lore.
Why Aren’t All the FNAF Games Listed?
Hardcore fans may notice that several titles are not featured in this chronological overview. Some entries, such as Five Nights at Freddy’s: Special Delivery, are considered spin-offs that play a minimal role in advancing the overarching storyline.
Discrepancies arise over whether games like Help Wanted 2 and Pizzeria Simulator should be classified as main entries, yet their narrative contributions warrant their inclusion despite their deviation from traditional FNAF gameplay.
Though not yet released as of this writing, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic is anticipated to contribute significantly to the lore, potentially harkening back to 1979 and revitalizing the franchise with new insights.
Has All of This Been Verified as Canon?
While many plot points from earlier FNAF titles have been confirmed through official commentary, clues, and supplementary content, recent installments remain shrouded in ambiguity. Games like Help Wanted, Help Wanted 2, and Security Breach contain elements open to interpretation, fostering rich discussions within the community.
Thus, the timeline curated here reflects the community’s best hypotheses informed by gameplay experiences rather than definitive canon. However, with each new release, the layers of FNAF’s enthralling narrative expand, raising anticipation for future revelations.
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