The lore of the Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) franchise is complex and has evolved across numerous games, books, and other media. Here's a simplified overview:
The Story's Core:
The story primarily revolves around Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, a family entertainment center similar to Chuck E. Cheese's. The restaurant features animatronic characters that perform for audiences. However, the dark secret is that these animatronics are haunted by the spirits of murdered children.
Key Characters:
* William Afton: The main antagonist, a serial killer responsible for the deaths of the children. He is associated with the "Purple Guy" sprite seen in many games.
* Henry Emily: William's former business partner and the co-founder of Fazbear Entertainment. He plays a crucial role in trying to end the tragedies caused by William.
* The Missing Children: The spirits of the children murdered by William, who possess the animatronics.
* The Animatronics: The main animatronics include Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie the Bunny, Chica the Chicken, Foxy the Pirate Fox, and many others introduced throughout the series.
Key Events and Concepts:
* The Missing Children Incident: The original incident that sets the events of the series in motion, where five children are murdered at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.
* The Bite of '83: An incident where a child is bitten by the animatronic Fredbear, resulting in his death.
* Possession: The spirits of the murdered children inhabit the animatronic suits, seeking revenge on their killer.
* Remnant: A supernatural energy or substance associated with souls and possession.
* The Puppet/Marionette: An animatronic that plays a significant role in protecting the children's spirits.
The Games:
Each FNAF game typically involves the player working as a night security guard at a Freddy Fazbear's location, where they must survive against the hostile animatronics until 6 AM. The games gradually reveal pieces of the overarching story through gameplay, minigames, and hidden clues.
The Books:
The FNAF novels, while not always considered canon to the games, offer additional insights into the characters and events of the FNAF universe.
In Summary:
The FNAF lore is a complex and intricate narrative filled with tragedy, mystery, and supernatural elements. It explores themes of loss, revenge, and the consequences of one's actions. While the full story is still debated and interpreted by fans, the core elements remain consistent throughout the franchise.