How Audio Enhances the Horror of Five Nights At Freddy's

For Halloween, I'm analyzing the sound design in the first Five Nights at Freddy's game, which demonstrates the unique roles audio can play in a horror game! Sound isn't just a scare tactic; it can support or diminish the amount of control a player feels over a nightmarish scenario.

Thanks to my friend Wolfgang for help editing the script!

{ ? I ♥ }

[ScruffyMusic]

This video's gotten a bit of information wrong. For instance, the animatronic scream in FNAF 1 is not a recording of a child screaming, it's a sound clip of a woman's scream from an 80's sci-fi horror film called _Inseminoid_ (1981). Apologies for that!

[coffeebean]

I just like to imagine scott fumbling around with a bunch of kitchen utensils and banging on a door and just doing whatever else to make the sounds

[sebastian_goat]

The “labored breathing” sounds bonnie and chica make once they’re in the room have always been the scariest to me.

[tubulartortoise]

Ballora’s song and just...everything about her is terrifying to me.

[zedleyPop]

16:40 the fact he didn't play a jumpscare to demonstrate how well the sound design was done in this game is my favourite part of the video

[deemcgann]

Good thing freddy warns us that he’s coming. He’s like someone who can’t stop giggling when preparing to scare someone.

[oodie]

This was somehow made even more terrifying by the fact that you were trying to make it LESS scary to watch. I love it.

[ItsJJOLO]

_intensely lowering down volume when he starts counting down_

[enVee.r.o]

16:07 So theres this theory that I find quite interesting. The theory is that when the pizzeria was open and the power were to go out, Freddy would start playing his song and lighting up his eyes to attempt to calm down distressed children. Since his song seems to be in a music-box-lullaby-style, this would make a lot of sense.

[itsdiscocreeper]

Scott: Hey son, want to play with the pots and pans?
Son: Why?
Scott: *(holding microphone)* Reasons...

[malymole]

Man had every chance to jumpscare us but didnt. *Respect*

[zaynab-to-a]

"I'm not going to play a jumpscare here"
*holds breath, fully expecting a jumpscare*

[sethrm]

13:24
HONESTLY THE MOST HORRIFYING SOUND EFFECT IN THE GAME.
the labored breathing makes you aware that they are not only right in front of you, but also somewhat alive. the breathing sounds so painful and its so scary 10000/10 horror

[CheddarMannn]

You actually warned us, and counted down the jumpscare sound

*You are a good man, thank you*

[LudusMaximus.]

"i wont add a jumpscare here"

i pray to god this man lives a long life

[averagetransboi]

I love how when he's like, "I'm not going to play a jumpscare here" he sounds like he's trying to soothe an upset kid by telling them it's okay... Such a calming voice you have when you try

[QueenofSilence]

14:23 If Bonnie or Chica get in the office, they'll force the camera down and kill you. If Freddy gets in the office, he will only kill you when the camera is down. So, if you know that Freddy is the one in the office - and it's close to 6 am - you can hide in the camera until the night ends, assuming you have enough power left to do so.

[GameDevYal]

I used to work night shifts at an Ikea, and Scott managed to nail the atmosphere a retail space has after closing hours. It's not even exaggerated all that much, large buildings just naturally make creepy noises and are full of scary silhouettes after nightfall.

[loreleiloriestone]

it's weird how Freddy's laugh sounds like it could be laughing or crying.

[ShrubbyCanine]

I don’t know why, but there’s something about Scruffy’s voice that makes it nice to listen to. Like a good OST.