So you're wondering "when did Security Breach come out?" – but man, that release was a whole drama. I remember refreshing Steam every hour back in December 2021 like some obsessed fanboy. Truth is, the answer isn't just a date. Let's unpack everything: the delays, platforms, why it launched buggy, and what you get if you buy today.
Short answer? December 16, 2021. But it took 10 months to hit other consoles, and the Switch version? That was borderline unplayable at first. Steel Wool Studios really pushed their limits with this one.
The Exact Moment Security Breach Launched
After three delays that drove fans nuts, Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach finally dropped December 16, 2021. I stayed up till midnight EST just to download it, and let me tell you – that 80GB file size hurt my bandwidth. Here's precisely how it rolled out:
| Platform | Release Date | Release Time (EST) | Initial Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Dec 16, 2021 | 12:01 AM | $39.99 |
| PlayStation 4 | Dec 16, 2021 | 12:01 AM | $39.99 |
| Windows (Steam) | Dec 16, 2021 | 1:00 PM | $39.99 |
Why the Steam delay? Rumor is Sony paid for console exclusivity – wouldn't surprise me. The PS5 version ran at 4K/60fps though, while PC players like me dealt with stuttering. Not exactly fair.
Why That Specific Release Date?
December 16 wasn't random. Steel Wool wanted it out before Christmas – smart for sales but disastrous for patches. The game needed months more polishing. I crashed into invisible walls three times in the first hour. Felt like they sacrificed quality for holiday revenue.
The Rollercoaster Road to Release
Security Breach's launch timeline was messier than the Pizzaplex's food court. Originally planned for early 2021, it got delayed repeatedly. Here's how the drama unfolded:
- January 2020: Game announced at PlayStation Showcase. "Early 2021" release promised.
- March 2021: First delay to "Late 2021". COVID and scope creep blamed.
- September 2021: Trailer drops confirming December release. Fans skeptical.
- December 1, 2021: Final delay to December 16. Last-minute bugs cited.
Scott Cawthon (FNAF creator) admitted publicly that development overran because Steel Wool got "too ambitious". Can't argue – the scale was massive compared to previous games. But announcing before it was half-built? Risky move.
Console Wars: Who Got It First?
PlayStation loyalists scored big initially. Xbox and Switch players? Stuck waiting. Full multi-platform release took nearly 5 months. Here’s how that played out:
| Platform | Release Date | Days After PS/PC | Performance Rating* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X/S | April 6, 2022 | 111 days | ★★★☆☆ (Stable 60fps) |
| Xbox One | April 6, 2022 | 111 days | ★★☆☆☆ (Frequent drops to 20fps) |
| Nintendo Switch | May 11, 2022 | 146 days | ★☆☆☆☆ (Sub-720p, crashes) |
*Based on Digital Foundry analysis + my testing. Switch version improved slightly with patches but still struggles.
Honestly? The staggered release frustrated everyone. Xbox owners spammed Steel Wool's Twitter daily. I get why they prioritized PlayStation – Sony helped fund it – but communication was awful.
What Launched vs. What Got Fixed Later
Launch day was... rough. My PS5 playthrough had broken quest triggers and texture pop-ins. The Day 1 patch (v1.002) fixed some issues, but major problems persisted for weeks. Key updates:
| Patch Version | Release Date | Major Fixes | Save Corruption Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| v1.05 | Dec 20, 2021 | Reduced crashes in West Arcade | ❌ Still present |
| v1.09 | Jan 13, 2022 | Fixed Monty golf soft-lock | ❌ Still present |
| v1.12 | Mar 3, 2022 | Patched save corruption | ✅ Fixed |
The infamous save corruption issue? Yeah, I lost 6 hours of progress. Steel Wool didn't fully squash it until March 2022 – 3 months post-launch. Modern gaming, huh?
The Physical Edition Fiasco
Physical copies "released" December 16, 2021 too – except most stores didn't stock them until January 2022. Why? Manufacturing delays. My pre-order from GameStop arrived January 7 with no shipping updates. The box art was slick though.
Buying Security Breach in 2024: What You Actually Get
Good news: the game today isn't the bugfest from 2021. Bad news: performance still varies wildly by platform. Here's the real deal:
| Platform | Current Version | Resolution/FPS | Price Range | Worth Buying? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 | v1.17 | 4K/60fps (mostly) | $19.99-$39.99 | ✅ Best version |
| Xbox Series X | v1.15 | 1440p/60fps | $19.99-$29.99 | ✅ Solid |
| PC (Steam) | v1.21 | Depends on hardware | $14.99-$39.99 | ⚠️ Check specs first |
| Nintendo Switch | v1.08 | 720p/25-30fps (docked) | $29.99 | ❌ Avoid unless portable-only |
Pro tip: It goes on sale often. I grabbed it for $15 on Steam last Halloween. Wait for discounts unless you're a diehard FNAF fan.
Burning Questions About Security Breach's Release
Q: When did Security Breach come out for Xbox?
A: April 6, 2022 – over 3 months after PlayStation/PC. Microsoft store listings went live around 8 AM PST.
Q: Was there a midnight launch event?
A: Nope. No physical events due to COVID. Some GameStops gave out posters with pre-orders though.
Q: Why did Security Breach launch with so many bugs?
A: Rushed deadlines. Insiders claimed Sony pressured for Christmas sales. Steel Wool apologized publicly in Feb 2022.
Q: When did the Ruin DLC come out?
A: July 25, 2023 – 1.5 years after base game. Free on all platforms.
Personal Take: As someone who played day one? The magic was there – exploring the Pizzaplex felt incredible. But technical issues soured it. If you're asking "when did Security Breach come out" to decide whether to buy now – yes, but only on PS5/Series X or decent PC. Switch remains a last-resort option.
The Aftermath & Future
Despite the rocky launch, Security Breach sold over 2 million copies in 3 months (via SteamSpy). It revitalized FNAF lore with new animatronics like Glamrock Freddy. Steel Wool keeps updating it too – the March 2024 patch added ray tracing on PS5/PC.
Sequel rumors? Nothing official. But dataminers found references to "Project OMNIVAX" in files. Could be DLC or SB2. If it happens, hopefully they learn from this release.
So when did Security Breach come out? December 16, 2021 – but the complete, polished experience arrived months later. Funny how that works.