They have since clambered into the minds of children without the help of traditional mainstream media and toy biz players thanks to YouTube and early digital fans. Freddy first showed up in 2014 and the first products began hitting shelves in 2015. Meanwhile, merchandise based on the characters has become one of the hottest sellers in the toy aisle. FNAF’s success has also prompted a film development deal with Blumhouse Productions, the producers behind the low-budget horror smash-hit Get Out. It’s been highlighted by scores of channels and videos – sometimes showing adults or children playing the game, sometimes just talking about it or editing together all the “jump scare” moments – which have collectively racked up more than 30 billion views according to Striker Entertainment, the California-based company responsible for the game’s retail strategy. Kids who may have yet to hear about FNAF are being drawn into the brand when they see these cuddly characters in the toy aisle, making the game itself more popular with children as young as 6 or 8, even though it’s rated only suitable for those 12 and up.įNAF’s large following is perhaps most evident on YouTube. Meanwhile, its cast of odd-looking cartoonish animal mascots – with such names as Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie the bunny, Chica the chicken and Foxy the fox – are easy to develop into merchandise. The setting of the first version of FNAF (there are six) is a haunted pizza parlour similar to the Showbiz Pizza or Chuck E.
Much of the game, which can be played on Windows, Apple and Android devices, is also specifically designed to engage a young audience. It’s not particularly bloody or gross, but FNAF has been engineered to scare the living daylights out of players. Parents might be interested to learn that Five Nights at Freddy’s (often shortened to FNAF) is a downloadable survival-horror video game. Suddenly, a monster jumps out and kills him.
But instead of drifting off to sleep, he hops out of bed, checking his closet and behind two hallway doors with a flashlight. Scott CawthonĪ young child is tucked cozily in bed for the night.
Merchandise based on the characters has become one of the hottest sellers in the toy aisle.