Five Nights at Freddy’s - In Real Time!

Exploring the Depths of Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time - A Fan-Made Phenomenon

Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time, often shortened to FNaF: In Real Time or simply IRT, emerges as an independent, point-and-click fan creation from Real Time Studios. This game reimagines the familiar terrors of Scott Cawthon’s celebrated Five Nights at Freddy’s series, introducing a key innovation: animatronics that move fluidly across camera feeds. Beyond this visual enhancement, the game boasts fresh gameplay mechanics, an entirely new narrative thread, and a deeper exploration of the FNaF universe.

The curtain rose on Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time on August 16, 2023, marking the debut project of Real Time Studios. What began as a modest concept – simply animating the animatronics on security cameras – soon blossomed under the leadership of Taaryn into a fully realized gaming experience. Initially slated for an April 27, 2024 release, the launch was later adjusted to June. As June concluded without a release, the date remained elusive, described only as “coming soon.” Then, a late announcement surprised fans, setting the official release for December 23, 2024.

To date, the public has experienced two glimpses into the game’s world through playable demos. The first, launched on January 5, 2024, was a cleverly disguised teaser, presented as a mock-up titled “Fnqaf a Freddy’s.” A second, more substantial demo was made available to streamers and participants of the VORTEX charity stream, celebrating the impressive milestone of $4,000 raised for The Rainforest Trust.

The story of Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time unfolds a full decade after the chilling events of the original Five Nights at Freddy’s. Players assume the role of Donavan Sheehan, a new night guard and technician at a Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza teetering on the brink of closure. Unlike the familiar Michael Afton, Donavan’s motivations are driven by a desire to uncover the unsettling secrets lurking within the pizzeria’s walls. However, his investigation is shadowed by an unseen presence, seemingly determined to erase any trace of the truth.

The anticipation for Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time has been fueled by the release of several promotional music videos, building excitement within the fan community. Furthermore, Real Time Studios has announced a future project, FNAF MOVIE GAME, which aims to adapt the narrative of the official Five Nights at Freddy’s feature film.

FNAF

WARNING: This game does not run on all systems. Due to the amount of RAM Video Files (WEBMs) take up on your PC, not every system will run the game the same. If you have a major game breaking bug, please report it in the Discord Server!

STORY

You work the night shift at the soon to be closing, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, looking at the animatronics moving in the monitors in real time!

Relive FNAF 1, and explore the story 10 years later with moving animatronics, a new SEQUEL storyline, and hidden characters.

GAMEPLAY

Before your night shift, navigate the pizzeria in 8-bit fashion to purchase your next night. As the game evolves, each night gets harder & harder, revealing the story along the way. Use the F.E.C. interface to unlock Cutscenes, Challenges and more. Explore the pizzeria (and beyond) and unlock all the hidden papers left to you by Brother, the Plate-a-matronic.

Within the nights, flip around between the different camera feeds to track the animatronics coming closer to your office. When an animatronic is at the door, to prevent them stepping inside your office, use the DOOR buttons on either side to close the doors.

The animatronics HIDE outside the cameras. Stay active on the cameras. If you miss their next move, they’ll be hiding in-between the cameras, waiting to reveal themselves…

Development

Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time/Development

Gameplay

The core gameplay of Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time seeks to mirror the experience of the original Five Nights at Freddy’s, but introduces several key distinctions. The most prominent of these is the dynamic movement of animatronics on the security camera feeds. Unlike their counterparts in the original game, who appeared to teleport or glitch between locations, the animatronics in In Real Time traverse the environment in a visibly continuous manner. Furthermore, their freedom of movement is expanded, allowing them to potentially enter the office from both the western and eastern hallways. Despite these enhancements, the fundamental mechanics familiar to players of the original game remain largely intact, albeit augmented with new animations within familiar camera views and the introduction of unique gameplay elements as the nights progress.

Taaryn, a lead developer, noted on Reddit that a deliberate effort was made to imbue each animatronic with a distinct movement style when roaming the pizzeria. Bonnie, for instance, exhibits slow, flowing movements, while Chica’s movement is characterized by alternating periods of complete stillness and sudden, almost erratic, motions. Freddy, in contrast, moves with a more mechanical and deliberate pace, a characteristic underscored by his consistently fixed arm posture. Finally, Foxy’s animations were designed to convey a sense of both inquisitive exploration and underlying aggression.[1]

Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time features a Story Mode, presented through the perspectives of two different characters, and a series of unique Challenges for players to overcome. The initial night, aptly titled “Showtime!”, sees Bonnie the Bunny as the first animatronic to activate. Initially, he remains inactive on the Show Stage alongside his fellow band members. Once activated, Bonnie departs the Show Stage and may either bypass the Dining Area entirely or be briefly seen standing within it. Subsequently, Bonnie will progress through the pizzeria, with the possibility of entering the West Hall, East Hall, or Backstage. Should he venture into Backstage, he will eventually return to the Dining Area. From there, Bonnie can proceed through either the west or east hallway, making a brief appearance in the designated corner camera view, sometimes pausing or turning back. If he enters the West Hall, he may also attempt to access the Supply Closet. Upon leaving his position in the corner, Bonnie will appear directly outside the Office door, requiring the player to react swiftly and close it. While positioned at the door, there is a risk that Bonnie will force his way into the Office if the player opens the door to check. If Bonnie successfully enters the Office, raising the security camera monitor will trigger a jumpscare.

Chica the Chicken becomes active shortly after Bonnie, later in the night. She initially appears inactive on the Show Stage before beginning her movements. Similar to Bonnie, Chica will leave the Show Stage and enter the Dining Area, where she will pause briefly before abruptly turning and moving towards the West Hall, East Hall, Restrooms, or Kitchen. Like Bonnie, after navigating the hallway, Chica may appear on the corner camera feed adjacent to the Office, or she may choose to turn back and re-enter the Dining Area. Once she leaves her position on the corner camera, she will approach the Office door, compelling the player to close it to prevent her entry. Failure to close the door in time, or opening the door while Chica is present, will result in Chica entering the Office and jumpscaring the player.

Following the completion of Night 1, players are required to unlock subsequent nights using the Minimap, which presents a free-roam, Atari-style interpretation of the pizzeria’s layout. Playing as Donavan Sheehan, the player must navigate to specific key locations within the Minimap to unlock the next night. A certain amount of in-game currency is awarded after each successful night, which is then used to purchase access to the following nights. However, players must exercise caution and speed, as the animatronics roam the Minimap over time. The Office, Prize Counter, and Hallways serve as safe zones, but control over other locations can be purchased along with unlocking a new night, preventing animatronics from entering those areas. To initiate Night 2, players must reach the Supply Closet and purchase it. After every night, the player must purchase the next night, unlocking a new landmark in the process. If a player is caught by an animatronic while exploring the Minimap, they will be jumpscared and returned to the Office.

Another unique feature incorporated into the Minimap is the Fazbear Employment Console (FEC), located on the Prize Counter desk. This console serves as a database logged into William Afton’s account and, while primarily used to replay previously completed nights, offers additional functionalities. One such feature is the Avatar Editor, which allows players to create a personalized avatar or select from a range of pre-made avatars based on in-game characters, developers, and more. Additionally, players can access a Catalog application where they can listen to unlocked music tracks and purchase cutscenes that provide deeper insights into the game’s narrative, including extended scenes from the Monitor Series, each categorized by its corresponding date within the game’s timeline.

Foxy the Pirate becomes active on Night 2: “Calm Before The Storm”, and his behavior largely mirrors his original counterpart. He occupies his own stage within the Pirate Cove camera view. Monitoring this camera can temporarily stall his movements. However, over time, he will gradually emerge from behind the curtains and eventually leave the stage, preparing to sprint towards the Office. Once Foxy leaves Pirate’s Cove, he will wait for the cameras to show no other animatronics in the Restrooms before initiating a dash towards the Office from either the East Hall or West Hall. To prevent him from reaching the Office, the player must close the corresponding door before he reaches the end of the hallway. If successful, Foxy will be seen returning to Pirate Cove. However, failure to close the door in time will result in Foxy jumpscaring the player.

Shortly before Freddy Fazbear activates on Night 4: “Switch-Up”, it is revealed through in-game dialogue that the Phone Guy has dispatched a team of repair personnel to restore functionality to the Kitchen camera and install two new cameras within the Safe Room and Entrance areas. This introduces new locations where Freddy can potentially hide from the player’s view. Freddy Fazbear, like the other core animatronics, begins the night inactive on the Show Stage. However, once he becomes active, he will proceed to march into the Dining Area. After leaving the Dining Area, Freddy will progress through two distinct phases visible on the same camera before heading towards either the West Hall, East Hall, Kitchen, or Restrooms. Shortly thereafter, Freddy may appear on the corner camera feed adjacent to the Office, or he may turn back and re-enter the Dining Area. The player must listen attentively for Freddy’s signature laugh, as this indicates his imminent approach towards the Office. When he is heard approaching, the player must close the door promptly; otherwise, Freddy will jam the door controls and seize the next opportunity to jumpscare the player.

Plot

Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time/Plot

Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time exists within a connected narrative universe that is considered canon to both the FNAF MOVIE GAME and the broader Five Nights at Freddy’s series. The game centers on the experiences of Donavan Sheehan, who takes a position at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza following the unexplained disappearance of his daughter. Driven by a desire to uncover the truth behind her fate, Donavan’s nightly shifts lead him to discover a web of concealed secrets and cover-ups within the restaurant, revealing Fazbear Entertainment’s efforts to suppress information regarding the Missing Children’s Incident. His increasingly unsettling experiences with the haunted animatronics culminate in a series of endless nights. Motivated by a sense of vengeance, Donavan resolves to report his findings to the appropriate authorities, hoping to shut down the restaurant and hold Fazbear Entertainment accountable for their actions. However, his plans are intercepted by William Afton, who is operating under the guise of a location manager for Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.

Intertwined with Donavan’s story is the presence of Brother, a unique character introduced in the game. Brother is portrayed as a victim dating back to the events of 1987. He actively attempts to piece together fragments of the past, seeking someone willing to aid the animatronics in achieving a proper resolution to their tragic circumstances. However, as the game progresses, Brother confronts the painful reality that he is powerless to save the animatronics, as their memories gradually deteriorate and fade away, a slow process of decay that occurs over the years following his initial promise to help them find rest.

Reception

TBA

Collaborations

Spike’s Ahoy!: On February 26, 2024, Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time officially partnered with the forthcoming game Spike’s Ahoy! to produce a collaborative animation featuring their respective mascots, Brother and Captain Spike. The animation humorously recreates a well-known scene from the critically acclaimed television series Breaking Bad, depicting the characters seated in a restaurant, reminiscent of the iconic interactions between Walter White and Gustavo Fring. A notable detail within the animation is the first visual representation of The Relic, a character who has been teased as a significant or overarching antagonist within the Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time narrative since the game’s initial announcement.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Blood & Gears: TBA
The Fazbear Facility: An official collaboration between The Fazbear Facility and Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time was announced on June 8, 2023. This partnership involves the inclusion of special easter eggs within both games. Following the release of Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time, observant players can spot a poster within the Kitchen camera view, specifically positioned above the pizza cooker on the left, depicting Freddy Fazbear standing outside Fazbear Entertainment’s Rebranding and Shipping facility. Conversely, The Fazbear Facility: Prologue does not contain any direct references to elements from Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Management Wanted: Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time was the inaugural collaborator for the Minecraft modification Five Nights at Freddy’s: Management Wanted. Within the mod, the character of Brother is currently accessible through the game’s Creative Mode. When spawned into the game, Brother will either aggressively pursue the player at a faster pace than most animatronics in dimly lit environments or remain inactive during daylight hours. Future plans for the mod include fully integrating Brother as a purchasable character within the Survival Mode.

Official Links

Trivia

Initially, the plan was to select only three submissions from the art contest to be integrated as actual in-game camera shots. However, following the third trailer release, it was announced that all submissions deemed to be of sufficient quality would be incorporated into the game as camera angles.
Brother holds the distinction of being the first entirely new character revealed for Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time.
Statistically, Five Nights at Freddy’s: In Real Time is recognized as one of the fastest-growing debut Five Nights at Freddy’s fan games. It achieved significant milestones, gaining 10,000 followers and accumulating 220,000 views on Game Jolt in less than six months after its initial announcement.
An avatar frame featuring the Brother animatronic is available for users on Game Jolt through the platform’s Game Jolt Creators program.

FNAF: IN REAL TIME CONTENT CREATORS PACK:

REAL TIME STUDIO CHANNEL:

https://www.youtube.com/@StudioIRT

UPDATES / HELP / INFO:

All main-game patches & updates will be posted HERE on Game Jolt, and announced in our Discord Server found below! If you run into a major game-breaking problem, please report it to us in the bugs channel on the Real Time Studio Discord!!

OFFICIAL WIKI:

https://the-fnaf-fan-game.fandom.com/wiki/Five_Nights_at_Freddy%27s:_In_Real_Time

FULL CREDITS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14yt9IYdGLwe3JZOjpIthQh7RK56fbhiR9B2F6-YSKgE/edit?usp=sharing

PEOPLE WHO WORKED ON THIS GAME:

@Taaryn
 - Creator, Music, Video Editing, V.A. of Bonnie (lol)

gj_anim.png
@DivianSFM - Lead Animator

Animation, Lighting, Rendering Matte

@Atticted
 - Animation Team

Animation, Rendering Matte, Modeling

@Flaxen420
 - Animation Team

Animation, Lighting, Rendering

@TheOGFazFilms /
@Raze
 - Animation Team

Animation, Lighting, Concepts

@Hyplamic
 - Animation Team

Animation, Lighting

@CamTheCan
 - Animation Team

Animation, Lighting

@FlatCattCH /
@Flatziee
 - Animation Team

Animation, Lighting

@Cubitolot / @MrNuggeter - Animation Team

Animation

@TLGP
 - Animation Team

Animation, Lighting, Concepts

@NeedyNerd

Animation, Lighting

@Fluddstop

Animation

@k8t

Unused Concept, Reference, Lighting, Session Setup

Halsey Watt

Animation, Assistance

@SpringTF2

Animation

gj_coding.png
@JAMESDEV535
 - Lead Coder

Scripting / Coding

@i8adog
 - Secondary Coder

Scripting / Coding

@FadeRax64 - Tertiary Coder

Scripting / Coding

@Orton_Long_Gaming

Scripting / Coding

@MrFreddy64
 -  Lead Developer (Previous)

Clickteam Base Game Scripting / Coding, Consulting, Artwork

@TheCNE

Scripting / Coding

@UmberBee

Scripting / Coding, Testing, Advice / Consulting, WEBM Support

@Leftory

Clickteam Base Game Scripting / Coding
Support, Game Development / Brainstorming

Darkwire Software

Advice / Consulting, Scripting / Coding Assistance, Clickteam Extension Support

AstralSpiff

Timelord

gj_modeling.png
UFMP & razvanandrei13
Modeling (EPIC SUPER GOOD)

@Atticted

Modeling ‘Born in 1987 Cast’, Texturing, Rigging

@-S0uL-

Modeling ‘Brother’, Texturing, Rendering

@NeedyNerd

Modeling, Rendering “Newspaper Renders”

@SpringTF2

Porting ‘Brother’

Shy /
@Shy_421

Modeling ‘Brother Plush’, Lighting, Rendering ‘Teaser’, Porting

Swag Nightmare Bonnie

Porting, Memes

@Chrome3d

Porting ‘Monitor Series Map’

@TeddinsonDev

Modeling (Unused, but awesome!)

@Emulator

Modeling, Texturing (Unused, but awesome!)

@Tyzer

Modeling, Texturing (Unused, but awesome!)

@Flavius

Texturing (Unused, but awesome!)

gj_art.png
Femcube Zero

Minigame Art

Stripeyy

Art ‘Children’s Drawings’

@ZweiForgot

U.I. Design, Fractured Franchise

@Ztomic
 / ztomic_arts

Legacy Artwork! [Amazing Artwork]

Daveon

Art, Sketches used in-game and posters “Blow out your candle.” and “When do we find out. what is real?”

Mercury

Rendering “Fangame Direct 2”, Rendering “Brother & Friends”

@JDBRYANTdev

Art, Minigame Art, Brother “B.A.G.” Concept Art

@DiRel_BlueJi
 / BlueJi

Key Art ‘Brother’

KAbAFmOL

Real Time Studio Animated YouTube Intro, Art ‘April 27th Video’, Game Jolt Emoji Sticker Pack

Next (
@Next_Yup
)

Brother Art Challenge Drawings Recreation Artwork, Camera Shot Challenge Winner, www.realtimefnaf.com Teasers

Michael (@m1keville)

Artwork ‘Thumbnails’, Minigame Assets, Design

UnderScoreYT

Artwork / Edit, ‘FNaF | Fazbear Entertainment Logo’

gj_music.png
@Taaryn

Soundtrack, Music, Mixing, Vocals, All Ambience & Sound Effects (Ok ok EXCEPT the fan
@HarrisonVAChamp
 I GET IT)

@Stars_Galaxy100205
 / Stars Galaxy

V.A. ‘Fazbear Employment Console’

@Retr0gamerIRT
 / Retr0

OLD V.A. ‘Phone Guy from Trailer 2’

FusionZGamer
Cameo ‘Phone Guy Mechanic’

8-BitRyan
Cameo ‘HATEBITRYAN’

Chazington
Cameo ‘Basically Himself’

@HarrisonVAChamp

Sound Design, Mixing

@Scrapbox01

Lofi ‘Real Time Theme’, Lofi ‘Found Brother Remix’

Jackson Cordes

Classical Composing 'SHOWTIME PERFORMANCE', Music ‘POST Outside’ x3

toohi

Music ‘F.E.C. / Flick n' Click’

regii

Music ‘Toreador March LOFI Remix’

AaronMilestone /
@Wayyy2Kool

Music ‘It’s Been So Long LOFI Remix’

@Atticted

Music ‘6 Hour Credits’

Kai / DiphenHydramine

Guitar ‘Monitor Series Theme’

@ExpoDev

Unused Music Assistance

3FS

Sounds Assistance ‘10/10’

TryHardNinja

Music, Vocals, Lyrics

Shadrow

Music, Vocals, Lyrics

APAngryPiggy

Music, Vocals

References

Reddit comment regarding animatronic movement styles