Home Gaming Five Nights at Freddy’s creator on dealing with hate

Five Nights at Freddy’s creator on dealing with hate

2 min read
7

Fnaf

Five Nights at Freddy’s the unbelievably popular series of horror games that feature evil animatronic animals is a hoot – especially when we make our staff play them for giggles. Though the games seem to be churned out of a Five Nights at Freddy’s factory, success hasn’t been easy for creator Scott Cawthon.

Especially with all the hate that’s been directed at him because of his successes. In an open letter to fans and the FNAF community on Steam has said that the hate’s all a bit misdirected.

“It’s true that there has been a lot of hate toward me lately; on the forums, on youtube, etc. And I’ll be honest, it’s difficult. It’s difficult when people seem to dislike you only because you’ve found success with something. I think some people have this idea that I spend my days swimming in gold coins like Scrooge McDuck, cranking out games with no effort, then laughing all the way to the bank. The reality is quite different, and I think that people who hate on me for being successful are misguided.”

Cawthorn says that just last year, he was working a dead-end job, and is very appreciative of the success that Five Nights at Freddy’s (and its plethora of sequels) have generated.

“Did you know that last year I was working at Dollar General? I worked as a cashier. I had three bosses who were all still in high school,” he says. “Before that I worked at Target in the backroom freezer, unloading frozen foods. I haven’t had a successful life; and now that God has blessed me with some success, I’m doing my best to be responsible with that success. I don’t party on weekends, I don’t get drunk or sip martinis. I spend my evenings playing Megaman 3, buster only, with my kids. And I try to do good with what’s been given to me.”

He knows that the games he makes are far from being perfect, but that not the important thing here.

“But something more important that I want to convey to all of you, is that you should never listen to people who criticize success simply because it’s success.

“Being good at something is something to strive for, not something to demonize. Criticisms of my games are fine, and a lot of times the criticism is valid. But there are a lot of people out there who will hate anything that becomes popular, just because it’s popular, and hate anyone who becomes successful, just because they are successful. “Haters gonna hate.” –as they say, but I want you to know that focusing on someone else’s failure or success is the wrong way to live.”

“Don’t fall into the pit of people who have given up on making something of themselves, and make sure you make EVERYTHING out of yourself.”

And that’s the sort of attitude towards things I can dig.

Last Updated: July 30, 2015

7 Comments

  1. SargonTheBatpandaOfTI5

    July 30, 2015 at 17:12

    Even if he WAS swimming in a sea of golden coins like Scrooge, so f@cking what? Surely if you like something enough to buy it you are also of the opinion that the person who made this deserves that money to be paid to them in turn. It’s not really fair to A) judge what people do with their money, or B) hate on someone because x million people love the game he has created.

    I was really humbled a lot by actors engaging with fans at some of those recorded comic-con panels and how they engage with them (and really point out how fans have made them what they are and given them all they have). And the fans know it too, but don’t begrudge these actors who play their heroes their wealth. Because as far as they’re concerned, they’ve earned every damn cent. I’m looking at you Sam and Dean Winchester (best panel of the lot with these guys).

    Honestly. So f@cking what? Have a swim in those golden coins for me, Scott. You deserve it.

    Reply

  2. Jonah Cash

    July 31, 2015 at 07:31

    Well Sargon just made posting here impossible unless you want to look like an add on commentator. Well played Sargon and well said.
    I always tell people that there is more than enough sun for everyone, work to get your own and don’t let the amount of sun of the person next to you bother you. Go get your sunshine people and if you aren’t happy with yours, don’t hold it against the next guy who is happy with his!

    Reply

  3. Rock789

    July 31, 2015 at 07:49

    Well said! And good for him – it’s great he’s found success doing something he finally enjoys. And, with his humble attitude, I wish there were more like him out there.

    Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    July 31, 2015 at 08:08

    Hate the people that buys the game, they;re the ones that makes him successful. h wait, keyboard warriors don’t know who those people are so they pick on the developer.

    Reply

  5. ZA Ludomusicologist

    July 31, 2015 at 14:06

    This reminds me of Phil Fish.

    Reply

  6. Sovereign

    July 31, 2015 at 17:39

    I wish I had that kind of success.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Everything announced during last night’s PlayStation State of Play

Its been a good while since Sony dropped a Nintendo Direct-style collection of trailers an…