Summary
- Fans eagerly await answers about the mysterious locked box in the latest Five Nights at Freddy's game, but creator Scott Cawthon's response may not satisfy everyone.
- The community speculates that the Crying Child may be the secret of the box, connecting him to William Afton and the Happiest Day mini-game.
The indie survival horror franchise Five Nights at Freddy’s boasts eerie lore and painstaking challenges, but the fourth game’s locked box has been a constant bane for the community, and creator Scott Cawthon has finally addressed the mystery. Five Nights at Freddy’s fans have gathered several theories to expose the box’s contents. However, they’ll have to wait longer for a concrete answer.
Cawthon has been busy promoting the franchise’s 10th-anniversary celebrations and revealing how he chooses Five Nights at Freddy’s collaborations on the back of Dead by Daylight’s recent partnership with the animatronics. In line with the anniversary cheer, the creator has also provided an honest answer regarding the enigmatic box in question.
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During an interview with Cawthon and YouTuber Dawko, the box was mentioned and highlighted as the franchise’s biggest mystery that fans want explained. The object appears during the end cutscene for Night 7 in Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 and carries two locks accompanied by the text, "Perhaps some things are best left forgotten, for now." The creator addressed the box honestly but warned the community that his response might not satisfy everybody. Essentially, there was something planned for the box, but the "idea remained in the ether." Cawthon explained, "...[T]here is something in the box, but I never pursued that, and I don't know if I can find it again. I think that's the best answer that I can possibly give for that."
Five Nights at Freddy's Creator Addresses the Franchise's Biggest Mystery
Dawko previously interviewed Cawthon and discussed Five Nights at Freddy’s popular fan theories, including those tied to the mysterious box. YouTuber MatPat thought the meaning behind the box had changed over the years, which Cawthon said was "absolutely right" and explained that the box’s story evolved from its initial concept, through the influence of fans’ reactions, and into Cawthon’s drive to "craft it into something better."
Five Nights at Freddy’s entertaining mini-games also expand the franchise's lore, and one popular fan theory suggests the Crying Child is the box’s secret. Serving as the main protagonist of Five Nights at Freddy’s 4, the Crying Child’s body was hypothetically placed in the box by William Afton, who strived to put the kid back together after he was bitten by the Fredbear animatronic. The community also believes there’s a connection between the Crying Child and the fifth child in the Happiest Day mini-game, as both bear a striking resemblance to each other.
Cawthon has previously used the Tales from the Pizzaplex books series to answer several mysteries in the franchise, including the ambiguity of what happens to the spirits of Five Nights at Freddy’s victims. Unfortunately for the community, the contents of the debated box will likely lie in secrecy for some time, unless the creator decides to rescue his idea from the ether.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 67 /100 Critics Rec: 57%
- Released
- July 23, 2015
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Scott Cawthon
- Publisher(s)
- Scott Cawthon
- Engine
- Clickteam Fusion 2.5
- Franchise
- Five Nights at Freddy's
WHERE TO PLAY
In this last chapter of the Five Nights at Freddy's original story, you must once again defend yourself against Freddy Fazbear, Chica, Bonnie, Foxy, and even worse things that lurk in the shadows. Playing as a child whose role is yet unknown, you must safeguard yourself until 6am by watching the doors, as well as warding off unwanted creatures that may venture into your closet or onto the bed behind you.
You have only a flashlight to protect yourself. It will scare away things that may be creeping at the far end of the hallways, but be careful, and listen. If something has crept too close, then shining lights in its eyes will be your end.
