Scott Cawthon author page

Scott Cawthon biography

Scott Braden Cawthon is an American video game developer, writer, and producer, best known as the creator of the Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNaF) franchise. Born on June 4, 1978, in Bell County, Texas, he studied at the Art Institute of Houston, where he developed skills in computer graphics and animation. Early in his career, Cawthon created Christian-themed games and animations, including titles like Iffermoon and The Desolate Hope.

In 2014, Cawthon released the first Five Nights at Freddy’s game, a survival horror title that gained significant attention for its unique gameplay and atmospheric storytelling. The game’s success led to a series of sequels, including Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2014), Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 (2015), and Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 (2015). He continued to expand the franchise with titles like Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location (2016) and Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach (2021).

Beyond video games, Cawthon co-authored a series of novels set in the FNaF universe, beginning with The Silver Eyes (2015), followed by The Twisted Ones (2017) and The Fourth Closet (2018). He also developed the Fazbear Frights anthology series, which expanded the lore of the franchise through short stories.

In addition to his work in games and literature, Cawthon ventured into film production. He co-wrote and produced the 2023 film adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s, directed by Emma Tammi. A sequel, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, is scheduled for release in December 2025.

In June 2021, Cawthon announced his retirement from professional game development, expressing a desire to focus on his family. Despite stepping back from active development, he continues to be involved in the FNaF franchise, supporting fan-made projects and overseeing adaptations of his work.