A new nightmare is coming for Five Nights at Freddy’s fans—and it might be the most terrifying yet. Secret of the Mimic, the next entry in the long-running horror franchise, launches Friday, June 13, 2025—yes, Friday the 13th—on PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Steel Wool Studios, this installment promises to elevate the FNaF formula with psychological tension, shape-shifting horror, and deeper lore implications.
A Fresh Horror: Welcome to Murray’s Costume Manor
This time, the fear doesn’t stem from a pizzeria. Instead, players will explore the decaying remains of Murray’s Costume Manor, an abandoned costume factory once run by eccentric inventor Edwin Murray. The manor’s claustrophobic layout and eerie silence hide not only mechanical monstrosities, but secrets tied to the origins of the Mimic—a prototype endoskeleton designed to imitate any costume, and thus, any character.
Unlike traditional animatronics, the Mimic can shapeshift mid-gameplay. That means players won’t always know what—or who—they’re facing. This ability isn’t just cosmetic; it creates an ever-changing threat landscape, where patterns can’t be easily memorized, and enemies become increasingly unpredictable.
Gameplay & Mechanics
- Genre: First-person horror adventure
- Perspective: Exploratory and atmospheric, with puzzle elements and classic FNaF tension
- Core Mechanics: Light-based navigation, limited-use tools, puzzle-solving, audio cues
- Antagonist: The Mimic, a shapeshifting animatronic that mimics characters and behavior
- Setting: Murray’s Costume Manor—labyrinthine, multi-floor, and filled with lore
- Platforms: PS5, Steam, Epic Games Store
- Release Date: June 13, 2025
Though exact mechanics are still under wraps, players can expect to balance resource management and stealth, similar to Security Breach, but with more psychological pressure. There’s an emphasis on uncovering the backstory of Edwin Murray and the experimental technology that created the Mimic—adding weight to the storytelling.
What Happened to VR?
Early speculation hinted that Secret of the Mimic might support PlayStation VR2, following Steel Wool’s history with FNaF: Help Wanted—a massive VR success. However, as of early 2025, all official mentions of VR support have disappeared from storefront listings. Whether this is due to technical limitations or a shift in development priorities remains unclear. The door isn’t completely closed—but players shouldn’t count on a VR experience at launch.
Community Reactions & Theories
Since its reveal at Sony’s State of Play, Secret of the Mimic has sparked a wildfire of speculation among fans. Reddit threads, YouTube breakdowns, and Discord communities have dissected the trailer frame-by-frame. Some fans believe the Mimic ties directly into the Fazbear Entertainment cover-ups hinted at in previous games, while others suspect it could serve as a narrative bridge between Security Breach and the rumored FNaF: Into Madness project.
The biggest theory? That the Mimic is not a new creation, but rather a prequel entity—possibly explaining the origins of other animatronic behavior patterns or rogue AI. The lore possibilities are massive, and this entry could serve as a critical puzzle piece in the larger FNaF timeline.
Why This Entry Matters
Secret of the Mimic signals another evolution in the FNaF series. From static camera rooms to open-world horror and now shape-shifting enemies, the franchise continues to reinvent itself. Steel Wool Studios has shown they’re willing to take creative risks, and Secret of the Mimic looks like its boldest effort yet—blending environmental storytelling, unpredictable AI, and a chilling new villain that literally wears your fears.
With the release set for June, fans won’t have to wait long to face the Mimic—and discover just how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Key Takeaways
- Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic launches June 13, 2025, on PlayStation 5 and PC platforms.
- Steel Wool Studios strategically chose Friday the 13th as the release date to enhance the horror atmosphere.
- The game introduces a new “Mimic” concept that likely brings fresh gameplay mechanics to the popular franchise.
Overview of Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic is an upcoming horror game developed by Steel Wool Studios. The game is scheduled for release on June 13, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and PC through both Steam and Epic Games Store.
This title serves as a prequel to the main Five Nights at Freddy’s storyline. Set in 1979, it represents the earliest point in the FNAF timeline, making it canonically the oldest story in the series.
The game focuses on a mysterious entity known as The Mimic. Players will uncover the origins and secrets behind this character, expanding the rich lore of the FNAF universe.
Steel Wool Studios first announced Secret of the Mimic on August 6, 2024, during the celebrations for Five Nights at Freddy’s 10th Anniversary. The announcement generated significant buzz among longtime fans of the franchise.
PlayStation 5 owners can look forward to experiencing the latest chapter in this popular horror series. The game continues the tradition of suspenseful gameplay and storytelling that has made Five Nights at Freddy’s a cultural phenomenon.
While specific gameplay details remain limited, fans can expect the signature tension and jump scares that have defined the series since its inception.
Release Details and Platform Availability
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic has received an official release date and platform details. Fans will be able to experience this new entry in the popular horror franchise on specific systems when it launches.
Launch Date and Timing
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic is scheduled to release on June 13, 2025. This date was confirmed through multiple official channels, including the PlayStation Store listings and press announcements.
The game was first announced on August 6, 2024, giving developers nearly a year to complete and polish the game before its public release. Fazbear Entertainment, the fictional company within the FNAF universe, has been mentioned in promotional materials.
No specific release time has been announced yet, but most digital releases typically follow regional midnight launches or a unified global time. Pre-orders may include early access benefits, though this hasn’t been confirmed.
Platform Exclusivity and Cross-Platform Play
At launch, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic will be available on PlayStation 5 and PC. The PC version will be distributed through both Steam and Epic Games Store digital platforms.
The game appears to have some level of PlayStation console exclusivity, as no Xbox or Nintendo Switch versions have been announced. This makes PS5 the only console option for players interested in the game at launch.
There’s been no information regarding cross-platform play capabilities between PS5 and PC players. The PlayStation 5 version may take advantage of the console’s unique features like haptic feedback or adaptive triggers, though specific PS5 enhancements haven’t been detailed yet.
Future platform expansions beyond the initial release haven’t been discussed by the developers.
Gameplay Mechanics and Features
Secret of the Mimic introduces innovative gameplay elements that set it apart from previous Five Nights at Freddy’s titles. Players will navigate Costume Manor with new tools while facing the challenging adaptive AI of the Mimic.
Innovations in Gameplay
Secret of the Mimic shifts from traditional stationary camera gameplay to a more exploration-based approach. Players will actively navigate through Costume Manor, creating a more immersive horror experience.
The game introduces a prototype technology retrieval mission, requiring players to search for and secure Fazbear Entertainment’s valuable Mimic technology. This objective adds purpose to exploration beyond simple survival.
Players receive a “heavily redacted corporate briefing” at the start, providing limited information that unfolds through gameplay. This mystery element encourages environmental storytelling and discovery.
The titular Mimic presents a unique threat with adaptive AI that learns from player behavior. Unlike previous FNAF animatronics with predictable patterns, the Mimic evolves its hunting strategies based on player actions.
Survival Techniques
Players must rely on strategic thinking rather than brute force to survive. The game provides limited resources that require careful management throughout the experience.
Key survival tools include:
- Portable gadgets for detection and distraction
- Environmental hiding spots
- Sound manipulation techniques
- Limited defensive capabilities
Stealth becomes crucial as direct confrontation with the Mimic typically results in failure. Players must learn to move quietly, time their movements, and create diversions.
The game incorporates a tension system where prolonged exposure to threats increases stress levels. This affects performance and requires players to find moments of relative safety to recover.
Environmental awareness plays a significant role in survival. Players must learn to recognize danger signs and safe zones throughout Costume Manor.
Character Customization Options
Players can personalize their experience through various customization options. The game offers visual customization for the protagonist that doesn’t affect gameplay but enhances immersion.
Equipment loadout choices allow for different playstyles:
- Detection-focused gear for cautious players
- Distraction tools for those preferring misdirection
- Speed enhancements for mobile strategies
The skill progression system rewards different playstyles with specialized abilities. Players earn points by completing objectives that can be invested in preferred skill paths.
Costume pieces found throughout the manor can be collected and equipped, offering both cosmetic changes and minor gameplay benefits. This encourages exploration beyond the main objectives.
Difficulty settings provide accessibility while maintaining challenge. Options range from reduced Mimic aggression to limited resources for hardcore players seeking maximum tension.
Narrative and Storyline
The upcoming game “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic” takes players to 1979 with a mysterious storyline centered around Fazbear’s prototype technology and a shadowy threat.
Plot and Setting
“Secret of the Mimic” transports players back to 1979, a significant period in the FNAF timeline. The story revolves around the player’s mission to retrieve Fazbear Entertainment’s valuable prototype technology. This mission comes with limited resources – only a few gadgets and a heavily redacted corporate briefing to guide them.
The setting appears to be a Fazbear facility where experimental animatronic technology is being developed. Players will need to piece together cryptic clues while navigating through what appears to be an abandoned or restricted area.
A mysterious entity known as “the Mimic” serves as the primary antagonist. This shadowy figure seems determined to eliminate all unwanted visitors to the facility.
Character Profiles and Development
The Mimic stands out as the central antagonist, featured prominently in the game’s title and marketing materials. Unlike previous FNAF entries, this character appears to have unique mimicry abilities, suggesting it can copy or impersonate other animatronics or possibly even human characters.
The game introduces an all-new cast of animatronics, moving away from the familiar faces of previous entries. These new characters likely have their own behaviors, weaknesses, and lore connections that players must learn to survive.
The player character appears to be an agent or employee tasked with the technology retrieval mission. Their background and motivations remain unclear from current information, but they’ll likely be developed through gameplay and environmental storytelling.
Visuals and Sound Design
The visual presentation and audio elements of “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic” represent significant technical advancements for the horror franchise. The PlayStation 5 version showcases enhanced graphics capabilities while maintaining the series’ signature atmospheric sound design.
Graphic Enhancements
“Secret of the Mimic” utilizes the PlayStation 5’s hardware to deliver impressive visual improvements over previous FNAF titles. The game features highly detailed character models with realistic textures and fur rendering. This attention to detail makes animatronic characters like the new Mimic even more unsettling.
Lighting effects have been dramatically improved, with dynamic shadows that shift as players move through environments. The PS5’s capabilities allow for real-time reflections and environmental details that create a more immersive horror experience.
The game’s environments appear more expansive and intricate, with interactive elements that respond to player actions. Camera feed visuals maintain the grainy, low-fidelity aesthetic that fans expect, creating contrast with the otherwise polished graphics.
Music and Sound Effects
The audio design in “Secret of the Mimic” builds upon the franchise’s reputation for tension-building sound. The game includes a completely reworked soundscape that takes advantage of the PS5’s 3D audio capabilities.
Positional audio plays a crucial role in gameplay, with distinct mechanical sounds signaling enemy movements from specific directions. Players can pinpoint approaching threats through careful listening, adding a strategic layer to survival.
The musical score alternates between unsettling ambient tracks and heart-pounding chase themes. Sound effects for the Mimic character introduce new audio cues that players must learn to recognize.
Voice acting appears more prominent in this installment, with cryptic messages from a character named Edwin who claims to have created the Mimic. These audio logs provide story context while maintaining the series’ mysterious narrative style.
Marketing and Pre-Release Events
Steel Wool Studios has implemented several strategic marketing initiatives to build anticipation for “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic” ahead of its June 13, 2025 release. These efforts include gameplay reveals and appearances at major gaming industry events.
PlayStation State of Play Showcase
The most significant marketing moment for “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic” came during a PlayStation State of Play broadcast. Steel Wool Studios unveiled an extensive gameplay trailer that showcased the game’s setting, Costume Manor, giving fans their first substantial look at the new environment.
The presentation highlighted the distinct horror atmosphere and game mechanics that players can expect. PlayStation’s platform provided maximum visibility for the reveal, reaching millions of viewers worldwide.
The State of Play segment confirmed the June 13, 2025 release date for PlayStation 5 and PC via both Steam and Epic Games Store. This announcement generated significant social media buzz and pre-order interest among the FNAF community.
Relevant Gaming Conferences
Steel Wool Studios has strategically positioned “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic” at several gaming industry conferences to maintain excitement throughout the pre-release period. The developer has scheduled hands-on demo opportunities at major gaming events in spring 2025.
These conferences serve as crucial touchpoints for fans to experience the game before release. Industry insiders report that the demo sections showcase innovative gameplay elements while preserving the series’ signature jump-scare horror.
Media coverage from these events has consistently highlighted the game’s improved graphics on PlayStation 5 hardware. Steel Wool Studios has also used these venues to distribute exclusive merchandise and promotional materials to attendees, further building anticipation for the June launch.
Comparisons and Industry Impact
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic joins a packed 2025 gaming lineup, where it aims to evolve the horror genre while competing against other major releases.
Predecessors and Evolution
The Secret of the Mimic represents an interesting evolution in the FNAF franchise. Unlike previous titles that focused on stationary defense gameplay, this new installment appears to incorporate more dynamic elements. The June 13, 2025 release date gives developers time to refine these mechanics.
The game continues the animatronic horror saga but takes a different approach by jumping back in time. This prequel format allows new players to enter the franchise without needing to complete earlier games.
Based on fan reactions to the trailer, the visual quality has notably improved from earlier FNAF titles. The game retains the signature jump-scares and tense atmosphere that made the series popular, while updating graphics and gameplay mechanics.
Competitor Analysis
Secret of the Mimic will release in a competitive mid-2025 window alongside several major titles. Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater and Metal Eden both target similar release windows, though they appeal to different gaming audiences.
Horror game Dreams of Another, scheduled for April 2025, may be FNAF’s most direct competitor. Both titles target the psychological horror market, though FNAF has the advantage of an established fanbase.
The June release date is strategically positioned to avoid the holiday rush while still capturing summer gaming audiences. This timing gives FNAF: Secret of the Mimic room to breathe in the market before fall releases begin dominating gaming news.
The FNAF franchise continues to maintain relevance in the horror genre despite numerous sequels, showing remarkable staying power compared to similar long-running series.
Community and Fan Reception
The announcement of “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic” has generated significant buzz within the FNAF community. Fans have flocked to social media platforms to express their excitement about the June 13, 2025 release date.
Discussion threads and comment sections are filled with theories about the new antagonist, the Mimic, and how it might function in gameplay. Many fans are particularly intrigued by the 1979 setting, which places the game earlier in the FNAF timeline than previous entries.
The official announcement posts have garnered thousands of comments and shares. One popular post about the game received over 100 comments from eager fans debating what to expect.
Steel Wool Studios’ choice to release on PlayStation 5 and PC platforms simultaneously has been well-received by the community. However, some fans have expressed disappointment about the lack of Xbox or Nintendo Switch versions announced so far.
Content creators have already begun producing analysis videos and speculation about the game’s story elements. These videos examine the available trailers frame-by-frame, looking for hidden clues and connections to the broader FNAF lore.
Fan art featuring the Mimic has started appearing across platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and DeviantArt, showcasing the community’s creativity and enthusiasm despite limited official imagery being available.
Post-Launch Support and Content Updates
Steel Wool Studios has a solid track record of supporting their games after release. For Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic, players can expect regular updates following its June 13, 2025 launch.
The developer plans to address any technical issues through patches in the weeks after release. This approach helps ensure a smooth experience for players on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Epic Games Store platforms.
Free content updates are expected to expand on the game’s lore. These will likely include new endings and hidden secrets that fans can discover through exploration.
The FNAF community has always been dedicated to uncovering mysteries within the games. Steel Wool recognizes this and intends to reward players with easter eggs and references to earlier titles in the franchise.
Seasonal events may also be part of the post-launch strategy. Halloween could bring special in-game challenges or limited-time content given the horror nature of the series.
The developer hasn’t confirmed whether paid DLC will be available. However, based on previous FNAF releases, additional gameplay modes or character skins might become available in the months following launch.
Community feedback will play a crucial role in shaping future updates. Steel Wool Studios typically monitors player responses closely to guide their development priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans of the FNAF series have many questions about the upcoming “Secret of the Mimic” game. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about this highly anticipated horror title.
What gameplay mechanics can players expect in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic’?
While specific gameplay details remain limited, “Secret of the Mimic” is expected to maintain core FNAF elements like surveillance systems and animatronic antagonists. The title suggests mimicry will play a central role, potentially adding new stealth or deception mechanics.
The game may introduce new survival horror elements unique to this entry. More gameplay details will likely be revealed in developer updates closer to the release date.
When is the official release date for ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic’ on Steam?
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic will release on Friday, June 13, 2025. The choice of Friday the 13th as the release date adds to the horror theme of the game.
Steam users will be able to download the game on the same day as other platforms. The game will be available on both Steam and Epic Games Store for PC players.
Which gaming platforms will ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic’ be available on?
The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Steam, and Epic Games Store. This gives PC gamers two different platforms to choose from.
Currently, there are no announcements regarding Xbox or Nintendo Switch releases. Mobile versions have not been confirmed either.
Where can I find the official trailer for ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic’?
The official trailer can be found on the game developer’s YouTube channel and social media accounts. Major gaming websites and PlayStation’s official channels also host the trailer.
For the most accurate information, fans should visit the official Five Nights at Freddy’s website. Additional trailers and gameplay footage will likely be released as the launch date approaches.
How much will ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic’ cost at launch?
The official price for “Secret of the Mimic” has not been publicly announced yet. Previous FNAF game prices have typically ranged from $29.99 to $39.99 for main series titles.
Pre-order information and pricing details will likely be revealed closer to the June 2025 release date. Special editions with additional content may also be announced.
Is ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic’ a VR-exclusive title, or will it support traditional gameplay as well?
“Secret of the Mimic” will support traditional non-VR gameplay on PlayStation 5 and PC platforms. There’s no indication that this is a VR-exclusive title.
While some previous FNAF games have had VR versions, the announced platforms suggest this will primarily be a standard gaming experience. Any VR compatibility would likely be announced separately if planned.
