The first "Five Nights at Freddy's" game was released on August 8, 2014, on Desura. It quickly gained popularity due to its unique gameplay, minimalist design, and effective jump scares. The core gameplay involved surviving against animatronic characters in a pizzeria using limited resources.

The success of the first game led to a rapid succession of sequels, each expanding upon the lore and gameplay mechanics: "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" (November 2014), "Five Nights at Freddy's 3" (March 2015), and "Five Nights at Freddy's 4" (July 2015).

"Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location" (October 2016) introduced new animatronics and a more narrative-driven experience. The franchise branched out with books, merchandise, and even plans for a movie adaptation.

The FNaF franchise continued to evolve with games like "Five Nights at Freddy's: Pizzeria Simulator" (2017), "Five Nights at Freddy's VR: Help Wanted" (2019), "Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach" (2021), and "Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted 2" (2023). The franchise now includes novels, comics, and a major motion picture.