Timeline

Late 1970s - Early 1980s: Foundation of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza

• 1970s: William Afton and Henry Emily co-found Fazbear Entertainment, envisioning a family-friendly restaurant featuring animatronic characters to entertain children. Their innovative concept rapidly gains popularity.

• 1978: The original Freddy Fazbear's Pizza opens, showcasing animatronics that perform live shows for guests. This leads to an expansion of multiple locations due to the business's success.

1983: The Bite of '83

• Spring 1983: At a birthday party, the Crying Child (William Afton’s son) is accidentally bitten by Fredbear during a playful moment. The incident, known as the Bite of '83, results in severe injuries and a lasting impact on the child, who is traumatized and ridiculed by peers.

• Aftermath: Following the incident, the Crying Child experiences nightmares and fear associated with the animatronics, leading to a deeper psychological struggle within the Afton family.

1985: The Missing Children Incident

• March 1985: Several children mysteriously vanish at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, sparking a police investigation. William Afton, under the guise of a staff member, is revealed to have lured the children to a hidden location, where he murdered them.

• Haunting Begins: The spirits of the murdered children haunt the animatronics, leading to erratic behavior and ultimately driving the franchise's narrative. This incident marks a turning point for the franchise, embedding a sense of horror and tragedy within the lore.

1987: The Bite of '87

• Late 1987: During a chaotic incident in the restaurant, a child is bitten by an animatronic. The incident, which remains vague in details, leads to severe public backlash and distrust of the animatronics.

• Consequences: The Bite of '87 prompts the removal and retirement of several animatronics, adding to the growing fears surrounding the establishment. The restaurant faces lawsuits and significant financial strain.

1990: Closure of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza

• 1990: Due to ongoing controversies, safety issues, and legal troubles, the original Freddy Fazbear's Pizza closes its doors for good. The animatronics are abandoned, with some stored away, and the business faces bankruptcy, marking a significant decline for Fazbear Entertainment.

1993: The Reopening of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza

• 1993: Fazbear Entertainment attempts to reopen a new location, but it is overshadowed by the dark history of the previous establishments. Despite the new animatronics introduced, the location quickly gains a reputation for hauntings and sinister occurrences.

• Night Security Job: Players take on the role of a night security guard in Five Nights at Freddy's, tasked with monitoring the animatronics through security cameras and ensuring their safety while uncovering the restaurant's dark secrets.

1995: The Final Closure

• 1995: Following numerous incidents involving employee disappearances and reports of haunted animatronics, the final location of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza is forced to close. The legacy of the restaurant becomes a chilling reminder of its dark past, and many animatronics are left abandoned.

Early 2000s: The Afton Family Tragedies

• Early 2000s: William Afton’s family faces devastating tragedies due to the lingering consequences of his actions. His children become entwined in the horrifying legacy of their father's business.

• Michael Afton: Michael, William's eldest son, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his father and the animatronics, seeking to redeem his family's name while confronting the horrors of the past.

• Elizabeth Afton: William’s daughter, Elizabeth, encounters Baby, an animatronic designed by Afton. She ultimately becomes a victim of her father's ambitions, representing the tragic fallout of Afton’s neglect and obsession with his creations.

2014: The Launch of Five Nights at Freddy's

• August 2014: The first Five Nights at Freddy's game is released, quickly becoming a viral sensation. Players experience the terror of working the night shift, facing haunted animatronics, and uncovering the dark history of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.

• Cultural Impact: The game’s innovative mechanics and terrifying atmosphere captivate audiences, leading to extensive fan theories, discussions, and an expanding community.

2015: The Expansion of the Franchise

• November 2015: Five Nights at Freddy's 2 launches, acting as both a prequel and sequel. The game introduces new characters, including the Toy Animatronics, and expands the gameplay with new mechanics and challenges, further deepening the lore.

• March 2015: Five Nights at Freddy's 3 is released, featuring Springtrap, the decayed version of William Afton trapped in a malfunctioning animatronic suit. The player must survive while uncovering the remnants of the past, revealing new layers of the story.

2016: Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location

• October 2016: Sister Location debuts, providing a fresh perspective on the series. Set in an underground facility, players encounter new animatronics, including Baby, and delve into the complex dynamics of the Afton family.

• Narrative Depth: The game reveals the psychological struggles of the characters, particularly Michael Afton, as he seeks to understand his father’s dark legacy and confronts the horrors of the animatronics.

2017: Five Nights at Freddy's: Pizzeria Simulator

• December 2017: Pizzeria Simulator combines management simulation with survival horror. Players build their own pizzeria while managing animatronics and uncovering hidden lore related to William Afton and the haunted characters.

• Retribution for Afton: The game culminates in a dramatic showdown with William Afton, revealing the consequences of his actions and the lingering presence of the spirits seeking vengeance.

2019: Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted

• May 2019: Help Wanted is launched as a virtual reality experience. Players revisit key moments from previous games while exploring new mechanics and a meta-narrative that hints at Afton’s ongoing influence.

• Introduction of Glitchtrap: Players encounter Glitchtrap, a digital version of William Afton, which raises questions about consciousness, digital hauntings, and the legacy of Afton’s actions.

2020: Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach

• December 2020: Security Breach is announced and released, featuring an open-world environment set in the Mega Pizzaplex. Players assume the role of Gregory, navigating a world filled with new animatronics while evading danger and uncovering the facility’s secrets.

• New Characters and Lore: The game introduces Glamrock Freddy, Montgomery Gator, and Vanny, further expanding the franchise's universe. The interconnectedness of the Afton family’s story continues to evolve, hinting at new narrative directions.

2021: FNAF Movie Development

• 2021: A film adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy's is officially announced, generating excitement among fans. The film aims to capture the horror and complexity of the game’s lore, potentially introducing new audiences to the franchise's chilling history.

Future Developments: The Ongoing Legacy

• Ongoing Lore Expansion: As the franchise continues to grow, fans anticipate new games, books, and adaptations that will explore the intricate lore of Five Nights at Freddy's. Speculation about further revelations regarding William Afton, the animatronics, and the overarching themes of the series remains a topic of fervent discussion within the community.

Conclusion

The Five Nights at Freddy's timeline encapsulates a rich and complex narrative woven through multiple games, character arcs, and horrific events. From the origins of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza to the tragic fates of the Afton family, the franchise explores themes of ambition, loss, and revenge, leaving a lasting impact on the horror gaming genre. The lore continues to captivate fans, ensuring the franchise's place in gaming history, as they eagerly await new installments and revelations.