Five Nights at Freddy's: Cawthon's Cautious Approach to Collaborations
Will Freddy Fazbear be joining the battle royale, or is it a "mismatch?"
On Monday, August 5th, a highly anticipated collaboration featuring Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) is set to be unveiled. While the specifics remain shrouded in mystery, speculation has been rife, with many pointing towards a crossover with either *Fortnite
or *Stumble Guys*. The wait for confirmation is almost over, but FNAF creator Scott Cawthon recently shared his thoughts on collaborations, revealing his hesitancy and the reasons behind it.
In an interview with YouTuber Dawko, Cawthon expressed his careful approach to collaborations, highlighting his desire to safeguard the integrity of the FNAF brand. He explained that he wants to ensure that any collaboration feels like a natural fit, rather than a forced pairing.
"I'm very careful with collaborations because I want to protect the brand and I want to make sure that Five Nights at Freddy's stays as Five Nights at Freddy's," Cawthon said. "There are some games where even if I really enjoy the game, it just doesn't feel like a... it doesn't feel like a good match. It feels like a mismatch. The brand integrity is the most important thing for me, and keeping everything feeling like it belongs. So that's really been my only... that's really been my only hesitancy."
Cawthon admitted to being more open to collaborations now than he was in the early years of the franchise, but he remains cautious. "I feel like I am branching out a little bit and I am a little bit more open to those things than maybe I was in the early years, but I'm still very careful about it. So we'll just see... we'll see how things go."
These comments have fuelled speculation among fans, with many questioning the likelihood of a *Fortnite
collaboration, given Freddy Fazbear's iconic horror roots and the game's fast-paced, combat-focused gameplay. Some believe a partnership with *Dead by Daylight*, a horror survival game featuring crossovers with franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, might be a more fitting choice.
Fans have been yearning for FNAF content in *Fortnite
for years, and a potential lack of such a collaboration is sure to cause disappointment. However, Cawthon's recent openness to collaborations extends beyond the upcoming announcement, with FNAF content already confirmed for *Funko Fusion*. Should these ventures prove successful, it could pave the way for further collaborations, potentially broadening the reach of the FNAF universe.
The anticipation for Monday's unveiling is at a fever pitch, with fans eager to discover the identity of the game chosen for the collaboration. While the possibility of a *Fortnite
crossover remains on the table, Cawthon's cautious approach to brand integrity suggests that other options may be more likely. Regardless of the specific collaboration announced, the event promises to be a significant milestone for the FNAF franchise, showcasing its growing presence and evolving trajectory.
