It happened in a split second. A pixelated golden bear leans forward, its jaw unhinges, and the screen cuts to black. Then, the scream that echoed across the entire internet: "Was that the bite of 87?!"
Markiplier’s reaction wasn't just a funny YouTube moment. It became the defining meme of a generation. Honestly, it’s probably the most recognizable soundbite in horror gaming history. But if you actually dig into the Five Nights at Freddy’s timeline, that one frantic question reveals a massive tangle of lore, developer tricks, and a very confused fanbase. Most people think they know what happened. They don't.
The Meme That Swallowed the Internet
To understand why everyone keeps asking was that the bite of 87, you have to go back to 2015. Scott Cawthon, the creator of FNaF, was releasing games at a breakneck pace. Five Nights at Freddy’s 4 had just dropped. Everyone was looking for the "Bite of '87," an event mentioned way back in the first game by Phone Guy. He told us an animatronic bit someone's frontal lobe off. Gruesome, right?
When Markiplier reached the Night 5 minigame in FNaF 4, he saw Fredbear crush a child's head. He screamed the line. The internet exploded.
It was perfect timing. The jump-cut editing, the genuine shock in Mark's voice, and the sheer absurdity of a gaming lore theory being shouted at a webcam created a viral monster. It’s been remixed into songs, animated by thousands, and referenced in shows that have nothing to do with gaming. But here is the kicker: Markiplier was technically wrong. Or was he? The community spent years arguing over whether that scene was actually the Bite of '87 or a completely different event called the Bite of '83.
Sorting Through the Bloody History of 1987
Let’s get the facts straight because the timeline is a mess. In the original Five Nights at Freddy's, Phone Guy casually mentions that the animatronics used to be allowed to walk around during the day. Until the Bite of '87. He says, "It's amazing that the human body can live without the frontal lobe, you know?"
This implies the victim survived.
Now, look at the FNaF 4 minigame. The "Crying Child" gets his entire head crushed by Fredbear. Not just a nibble. Not just the frontal lobe. His whole skull. Later in the game, we hear a flatline. The kid died.
So, was that the bite of 87? Probably not. Scott Cawthon later confirmed through subtle clues—like a TV screen in the background displaying "1983"—that the FNaF 4 incident was a separate tragedy. The "Bite of '87" actually likely happened during the events of Five Nights at Freddy's 2.
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Who actually did it?
If the Fredbear incident was '83, who was responsible for the '87 event? Most theorists, including MatPat from Game Theory, point their fingers at Mangle. Think about it. Mangle’s jumpscare involves swinging down from the ceiling and biting directly at the player's forehead. The frontal lobe. It fits perfectly. Others suggest Toy Chica because her beak comes off, or maybe even Withered Freddy.
The mystery is part of the fun. Scott Cawthon is a master of "vague-posting" through his game design. He knows that by leaving these gaps, the community will fill them with endless speculation. This keeps the games alive long after people stop playing them.
Why Markiplier’s Reaction Still Hits
We love a good freakout. Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) has a specific brand of high-energy commentary that feels authentic even when it’s over the top. When he yelled about the bite, he was channeling the collective frustration of a million theorists trying to piece together a story that didn't want to be solved.
It wasn't just a meme. It was a cultural pivot point.
Before that video, FNaF was a popular indie horror game. After that video, it was a franchise. It proved that "Let's Players" weren't just playing games; they were co-authoring the experience. Mark’s reaction became part of the game’s identity. You can't think of Fredbear without hearing Mark’s voice in the back of your head.
The Science of the Frontal Lobe
Okay, let's get nerdy for a second. Phone Guy says the victim lived without a frontal lobe. Is that even possible?
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Actually, yeah. Sorta.
Ever heard of Phineas Gage? In 1848, a large iron rod was driven completely through his head, destroying much of his left frontal lobe. He survived. He lived for twelve more years. However, his personality changed completely. He went from being a capable foreman to being fitful, irreverent, and wildly impatient.
When fans ask was that the bite of 87, they are inadvertently referencing one of the most famous case studies in neuroscience. If an animatronic bit off a child's frontal lobe in the FNaF universe, that child wouldn't just be "fine." They would be a completely different person. This led to a massive theory that the victim of the '87 bite was actually Jeremy Fitzgerald, the security guard from the second game.
Impact on the Horror Genre
The success of the "Bite" mystery changed how horror games are made. Now, every indie dev wants their own "Bite of '87." They hide secrets in source code. They put dates on TV screens that you can only see if you brighten the image by 400%.
- Environmental Storytelling: Games like Bendy and the Ink Machine or Poppy Playtime owe their entire marketing strategy to the "hidden lore" style FNaF pioneered.
- Meme Marketing: Developers now actively create moments designed to be clipped and screamed over.
But nothing quite captures the lightning-in-a-bottle feel of that 2015 clip. It was raw. It was goofy. It was exactly what the internet needed at that moment.
Deciphering the Remnant and the Retcon
Some fans argue that Scott Cawthon retconned the story. They believe FNaF 4 was originally intended to be the Bite of '87, but Scott changed it to '83 after realizing the timeline didn't add up. Scott has denied making many retcons, claiming he only made one major one that most people didn't even notice.
Whether it was a mistake or a planned twist, it doesn't really matter anymore. The "Bite of '83" vs "Bite of '87" debate is the bedrock of the FNaF fandom. It taught a whole generation of kids how to analyze media, look for evidence, and build arguments. Even if the evidence was just a few stray pixels on a 16-bit sprite.
How to Talk About the Bite Like a Pro
If you're jumping into a FNaF thread today, you need to know your stuff. Don't just post the meme.
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First, acknowledge that the FNaF 4 bite is the "Bite of '83." If you call it the '87 bite, the hardcore lore-hunters will descend upon you. Mention the "Box." Mention the "Crying Child." Reference the fact that the FNaF 2 location closed down specifically because of a "malfunction" involving an animatronic attacking a human. That's your '87 evidence.
Honestly, the whole thing is a bit ridiculous when you step back. We are talking about haunted robot bears and missing children's souls. But that’s the magic of it. It’s a modern myth. It’s our version of "Who shot J.R.?" or "Who is the protagonist's father?"
Actionable Steps for FNaF Enthusiasts
If you want to dive deeper into the mystery or even create content around it, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch the Original Clip: Go back to Markiplier's "WARNING: SCARIEST GAME IN THE SERIES | Five Nights at Freddy's 4 - Part 1" (and the subsequent parts). Pay attention to the buildup. The atmosphere is what made the reaction land.
- Read the "Logbook": The Survival Logbook is a real-world book released by Scott Cawthon that contains actual canon clues. It’s one of the few places where "the Crying Child" and "Michael Afton" theories get some actual weight.
- Check the Source Code: Scott used to hide messages in the meta-data of his website images. While he doesn't do it as much now, archives of https://www.google.com/search?q=scottgames.com show how the '83 vs '87 debate was fueled by hidden numbers in the site's code.
- Differentiate the Bites: Keep a mental note. 1983 = Fredbear's Family Diner (The death of the Crying Child). 1987 = Freddy Fazbear's Pizza (The incident where a guard/visitor lost a frontal lobe but survived).
The phrase was that the bite of 87 is more than just a question. It's a reminder of a time when the internet felt smaller, when a single jump-scare could unite millions of people in a shared mystery. Whether you're a lore expert or just someone who likes the memes, the legacy of that moment is undeniable. It turned a simple indie game into a cinematic universe, complete with a blockbuster movie and a shelf full of plushies at every retail store in the country.
Next time you see a yellow robot bear, just remember: watch your head.