# Scott Cawthon > former independent video game developer **Wikidata**: [Q19827680](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19827680) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Cawthon) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/scott-cawthon ## Summary Scott Cawthon is a former independent American video game developer, computer scientist, and animator best known as the creator of the *Five Nights at Freddy's* franchise. Throughout his career, he has held multiple roles in the entertainment industry, including game designer, screenwriter, director, and writer. His work spans the fields of video game development, computer animation, and literature. ## Biography - **Born:** June 4, 1978 (Bell County, Texas, United States) - **Nationality:** United States - **Education:** The Art Institute of Houston - **Known for:** Creating the *Five Nights at Freddy's* media franchise - **Employer(s):** Independent developer (formerly) - **Field(s):** Video game industry, computer animation, literary activity ## Contributions Scott Cawthon's primary contribution to the entertainment industry is the creation of the *Five Nights at Freddy's* (*FNaF*) series, which initiated a significant subculture within the horror video game genre. Active in professional development since 1994, Cawthon utilized his background in computer science and animation to develop games independently. Beyond designing gameplay and programming, Cawthon is credited for his multifaceted role in production, serving as a screenwriter, director, and animator for various projects associated with his intellectual properties. His creative output extends beyond software into literary activity; he is recognized as an author within the *Five Nights at Freddy's* universe, contributing to the franchise's expansion into literature. Cawthon also maintained a direct line of communication with his fanbase through social media and his personal website, scottgames.com. His YouTube channel, which he started in 2006, accumulated over 3 million subscribers, serving as a hub for trailers and community updates. His work in computer animation predates his breakout success in gaming, showcasing a career rooted in diverse digital media skills. ## FAQs ### Q: Is Scott Cawthon still making video games? A: According to his biographical metadata, he is listed as a "former" independent video game developer. He announced his retirement from public game development in 2021 to focus on his family. ### Q: What is Scott Cawthon's most famous work? A: He is best known as the creator of *Five Nights at Freddy's*, a survival horror video game series that expanded into books and merchandise. ### Q: How many children does Scott Cawthon have? A: Scott Cawthon has six children. ### Q: Where does Scott Cawthon live? A: Records indicate his residence is in Salado, Texas. ## Why They Matter Scott Cawthon matters significantly in the modern video game landscape for demonstrating the viability of independent development in creating global multimedia franchises. By leveraging platforms like YouTube and Reddit, he utilized community engagement to propel *Five Nights at Freddy's* from a simple indie game into a lasting cultural phenomenon that spans games, books, and potential film adaptations. His departure from the industry in 2021 highlighted the tension between a creator's personal beliefs and their public reception. His openness about his political donations and religious views (Christianity and the anti-abortion movement) sparked widespread discussion within the gaming community regarding the separation of art and artist. Despite his retirement from active development, his influence persists through the continued popularity of his franchises and the avid fanbase they maintain. ## Notable For - **Creator of *Five Nights at Freddy's*:** Developed a massive horror franchise originating from independent development. - **Multi-disciplinary Creator:** Recognized for roles ranging from computer scientist and game designer to screenwriter, animator, and producer. - **YouTube Presence:** Operates a verified channel with over 3 million subscribers, active since 2006. - **Independent Success:** Successfully managed his brand as an independent developer before his retirement. - **Literary Expansion:** Expanded his video game properties into literature, recognized as an author by library authorities. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Scott Braden Cawthon was born on June 4, 1978, in Bell County, Texas (some sources also list Houston). He pursued higher education at The Art Institute of Houston. He currently resides in Salado, Texas, and holds citizenship in the United States. ### Career and Roles Cawthon's professional work period began in 1994. While often described primarily as a game designer, his career encompasses a wide array of titles: * **Computer Scientist:** Classified generally within the industrial and service sectors. * **Game Designer:** Responsible for designing gameplay and structuring game rules. * **Animator and Director:** Worked extensively in computer animation. * **Writer and Producer:** Credited as a screenwriter, television producer, and author of literary works. He is most famously associated with the *Five Nights at Freddy's* series, which serves as his "notable work." ### Online Presence and Influence Cawthon established a significant digital footprint. He manages the website `scottgames.com` and maintains a strong social media following. * **YouTube:** His channel (ID: UC2Xp5JeeO9sP6bhc-9yD1xA) has over 3 million subscribers. * **Reddit:** Known by the username `animdude`, where he interacted directly with fans. * **Social Media:** His follower counts have reached into the hundreds of thousands on Twitter and millions on YouTube. ### Personal Life and Views Cawthon is married and has six children. He is a Christian and has publicly identified with the anti-abortion movement. In 2021, following discussions regarding his political contributions, he announced his retirement from professional game development, referring to himself as a "former" developer in subsequent descriptions. ## References 1. Czech National Authority Database 2. [My response, and maybe last post.. 2021](https://www.reddit.com/r/fivenightsatfreddys/comments/nybyo1/my_response_and_maybe_last_post/) 3. IMDb 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. MusicBrainz 6. Google Knowledge Graph 7. Quora 8. YouTube API 9. [Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno](https://ipac.svkkl.cz/arl-kl/cs/detail-kl_us_auth-0407231-Cawthon-Scott-1971)