Introduction
*Five Nights at Freddy’s* has captivated players for years, not only with its jump scares and animatronic horrors but also with its deeply intricate and often perplexing lore. At the heart of this lore lies a dark and disturbing event: the disappearance and murder of several children at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. This tragic incident, often referred to as the “Missing Children Incident” or simply the “Kid Murders,” is the catalyst for much of the game’s supernatural elements and the driving force behind the animatronics’ haunting presence. One of the most debated aspects of the FNaF universe is precisely *when* this event occurred. What year did the Missing Children Incident actually take place?
Pinpointing the exact year is a challenge due to conflicting clues, ambiguous hints, and the evolving nature of the FNaF storyline itself. The community has tirelessly analyzed every detail, from newspaper clippings to minigame graphics, in an effort to piece together the definitive timeline. This article aims to explore the conflicting evidence and various theories surrounding the year of the Missing Children Incident. We’ll delve into in-game clues, external sources, and community interpretations to provide a comprehensive overview of the debate, acknowledging the uncertainty and the many valid perspectives on this crucial event.
Background: The Dark Shadow Over Freddy Fazbear’s
The Missing Children Incident is the defining tragedy within the *Five Nights at Freddy’s* narrative. It describes the unexplained disappearance of a group of children, initially reported as five, while visiting Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a family entertainment center similar to Chuck E. Cheese’s. The lack of witnesses and the absence of bodies fueled speculation and fear, quickly turning the seemingly cheerful establishment into a site of suspicion and horror. While the initial reports spoke of five children, the lore expanded and sometimes indicates further child casualties.
The primary suspect in this horrific crime is William Afton, a character who takes on many roles, the most prominent being Purple Guy and Springtrap. Afton’s motivations are complex and gradually revealed throughout the series, but his role as the murderer of these children is widely accepted and heavily implied throughout the games. The consequences of the Missing Children Incident were devastating for Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The restaurant’s reputation was irreparably damaged, leading to a decline in business, investigations by law enforcement, and eventually, the restaurant’s closure.
Perhaps the most significant and unsettling consequence of the incident is the animatronics themselves. It is believed that the souls of the murdered children became trapped within the animatronic suits – Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie the Bunny, Chica the Chicken, Foxy the Pirate Fox, and Golden Freddy. Driven by a thirst for revenge and a desperate attempt to find peace, these possessed animatronics become the antagonists of the *Five Nights at Freddy’s* games, relentlessly pursuing any adult they encounter, mistaking them for their killer. The Missing Children Incident isn’t just a historical event; it’s the engine that drives the entire FNaF narrative.
Evidence Pointing Towards Nineteen Eighty-Five
One of the most prominent pieces of evidence supporting a nineteen eighty-five timeline for the Missing Children Incident comes from the original *Five Nights at Freddy’s* game. During gameplay, players can find faded newspaper clippings posted on the walls of the pizzeria. These clippings, while partially obscured and difficult to read, report on the disappearance of the children. Although the clippings lack a specific year, careful analysis of the text and the overall context suggest a time frame of nineteen eighty-five.
The articles mention the investigation, the suspects, and the growing public anxiety surrounding the incident. Some interpretations of the obscured text even claim to have found partial dates that align with the year nineteen eighty-five. While this evidence isn’t definitive, the placement of the newspaper clippings within the context of the original game and their connection to the core mystery of the missing children make them a compelling argument for a nineteen eighty-five setting. The fact that the original game is the one that introduces this theory makes it more viable, as it is the first game within the franchise and therefore the starting point of lore.
Another supporting piece is the ‘SAVE THEM’ minigame within *Five Nights at Freddy’s Two*. In the minigame, players control Freddy Fazbear, and they are tasked with following Purple Guy through the restaurant. Each time they follow Purple Guy to a different room, a dead child is shown there. Upon finding all the dead children, Purple Guy approaches the player and kills them. Many believe this minigame is a depiction of the original Missing Children Incident. However, there is some debate on this, as there is a possibility that it is an unconfirmed and separate Missing Children Incident.
While technically non-canon, the *Silver Eyes* novel, the first book in the FNaF novel trilogy written by Scott Cawthon and Kira Breed-Wrisley, mentions a similar missing children incident that occurs in the year nineteen eighty-five. Even though the novels are considered to take place in a separate universe from the games, the overlap in the timeline is important to note. As the novels were written by the creator of the games, the similar timelines between the two are important to consider and can be used to support the theory that the incident occurred in nineteen eighty-five.
Evidence Pointing Towards Nineteen Eighty-Three
Another theory about the date for the Missing Children Incident is the year nineteen eighty-three. This theory relies on the game *Five Nights at Freddy’s Four*, and the general assumption that the events shown in the game take place in nineteen eighty-three. This theory is based off of theories that the characters shown in this game were involved with the Missing Children Incident, either directly or indirectly.
The most common of these theories is that the Bite Victim, or Crying Child, is one of the children who becomes one of the missing children. The Crying Child is bitten by Fredbear at his birthday party, which is said to take place in nineteen eighty-three. If this were the case, then the Missing Children Incident may have occurred in nineteen eighty-three. Another common theory is that the brother of the Crying Child, Michael Afton, is connected to the incident somehow. However, these theories do not have as much concrete evidence behind them as the theories which suggest the incident occurred in nineteen eighty-five.
Counterarguments and Rebuttals
Both the nineteen eighty-five and nineteen eighty-three theories have their weaknesses and are subject to counterarguments. One of the most common criticisms of the nineteen eighty-five theory is that the newspaper clippings in *Five Nights at Freddy’s* don’t explicitly state the year. While they provide contextual clues, the lack of a definitive date leaves room for alternative interpretations. Some argue that the faded and obscured text could be misread, or that the developers intentionally left the date ambiguous to create a sense of mystery.
Regarding the nineteen eighty-three theory, many argue that it is simply too convoluted and doesn’t align with the core narrative of the missing children being lured and murdered at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. The connection between the characters in FNaF 4 and the Missing Children Incident is flimsy at best, and this is considered by many to be a weak theory. Furthermore, some sources from within the *Five Nights at Freddy’s* universe date back as early as nineteen eighty-two.
Theories and Community Interpretations
The FNaF community is a vibrant and creative space, filled with theorists who constantly analyze and debate every aspect of the lore. Numerous theories attempt to reconcile the conflicting evidence and create a cohesive timeline for the series. Some theories suggest that the Missing Children Incident was not a singular event but a series of related incidents that occurred over several years. This allows for elements of both the nineteen eighty-five and nineteen eighty-three timelines to be incorporated.
Others propose that the timeline has been deliberately obfuscated by the developers to keep the mystery alive and encourage ongoing speculation. Retcons, or retroactive changes to established lore, have further complicated the timeline, adding new layers of complexity and uncertainty. Ultimately, the perceived year of the Missing Children Incident often depends on individual interpretations of the available evidence and the willingness to accept certain theories over others. The community’s constant exploration and analysis of the lore is what keeps the FNaF universe alive and engaging.
Conclusion
The question of what year the Missing Children Incident happened in *Five Nights at Freddy’s* remains one of the most enduring and debated mysteries in the franchise. While evidence from the original game and the books suggest nineteen eighty-five, and evidence from later games suggests nineteen eighty-three, a definitive answer remains elusive. The newspaper clippings, the minigame depiction, and the overall context of the first game provide compelling arguments for nineteen eighty-five, while interpretations of later games provide evidence towards nineteen eighty-three.
Ultimately, the exact year of this tragic event is open to interpretation. It is a testament to the power of the *Five Nights at Freddy’s* lore that even after years of analysis and speculation, this central mystery continues to captivate and challenge fans. As the FNaF universe continues to expand with new games and stories, the possibility of further revelations and clarifications remains. For now, the year of the Missing Children Incident remains a complex puzzle, inviting us to delve deeper into the shadows of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza and unravel its dark secrets, piece by piece.
