Don't Fret: The Audition - The Story Explained

[@heamac]

The Conductor wants Fret to bring him talent canisters, eh? Makes me wonder if he's going to turn out to be a secret sinister character... an allegory for the father wanting to exploit his son's talent, starting off supportive and flattering, pretending to help and protect him, only to turn dark and demanding later on.

[@thex5899]

Definitely plus hopefully Stupendium and the rest the KZbinr singers does well... sing.

[@mistermann4163]

I can see that but I also see it as him being another teacher in the school that was helping try to get kids out of the place while playing along to his rhythm(hence why he wears a mask with a broken part of his humanity is shown). With it unfortunately not being successful with prior kids due to the Conductors very limited time to help.

[@rustythomas6982]

its possible that mask could be a repstaion of his fathers facade.

[@kellyntaylor8184]

He also must be head of the conductortech, since his son’s talent must be greater than all the other kids.

[@WizzyMcWizzyton]

Plus… They Cast Stupendium. I think that that is a bit of a clue!

[@crimson_koteto]

Concept artist for the game here, thank you so much for putting your eyes on this project. We’re a small team and a lot of us have been a huge fan of yours. This is a surreal experience for us, and we can’t wait for everyone to sink their teeth into the full game! ❤❤❤

[@Annabears89]

I love your work this game was giving me bioshock vibes

[@HelluvaMari0Fan]

Why does this remind me of hello puppets with better graphics.

[@Cartoonshipper]

Hey you did great can't wait until the full release

[@szc8512]

Congrats on making it through this project and thank you for your hard work! I’m interested in what you guys will do in the future.

[@bella_daze3092]

Y’all did such a great job❤❤❤❤❤

[@Jesterofswords]

fun fact: im pretty sure that most if not all the VAs of don't fret are nerdcore music artists. the dad is voiced by longestsoloever and the conductor is voiced by the stupendium. longestsoloever also has a song for the game out right now that seems to be from the father's perspective titled Talk

[@Arancia_observes]

WHAT!!!

[@Jesterofswords]

@@Arancia_observes yeah

[@themoocow7718]

really? love both their music.

[@saucefreakystyle]

HOLY SHIT STUPES MENTION

[@ArchieSepia]

LONGESTSOLOEVER MENTIONED ‼OMG

[@officialkathychan]

Thank you so much for playing Don’t Fret!! I was the voice actress who provided the voice of Ms. Stone from the Foundation. I’ve been such a big fan of you so it’s a honor to be in your video! 💚📞

[@sbujdaszmovies6715]

I saw you in Sleep Well with CG5

[@Cavetown_isawesome]

U have such a beautiful voice!! :D

[@nep._tune3170]

I think this goes deeper. With all the missing posters Fret also has one up, and if you think about the situation and body bags it paints a more sinister picture. Fret while in his mother’s custody was kidnapped. His father was coming to take his son either away or to music school which is why he was “late” and why Fret imagine a music school of all places. However, before the father could take him the known kidnapped in the are “the organization” or wtv who’ve been tracking Fret for a while came and kidnapped him. Typing up his parents in the process, explaining the still alive body bags. The body bags could also be teachers and that’s the process of becoming one, but due to the brainwashing teachers don’t last long (the teacher making her head against the desk) so they need readily available candidates.

[@jordantoatley1086]

I don't think Fret's father wanted to protect Fret from being kidnapped, as he talks about "being late" for something. I think Fret's parents had some kind of custody agreement that his mom was trying to break for whatever reason. Fret was probably taken while they were too busy arguing with each other.

[@jhosk92]

Given the tone of the character, the POV and lyrics to "Talk" ("Don't wanna hurt you, don't wanna make you scream / Say the word, you can still get away clean," "Gonna throw away your life, is it really worth the fight?," "You can leave here in peace or in pieces," "I would have preferred it with you at my side / But you let him hide"), and VA LongestSoloEver calling him an "Absolutely Terrible Person," I think it's safe to assume Fret's father is incredibly abusive and his mother has recently or is actively trying to leave the relationship for herself and Fret's sake. (Hanse, why he comes to the house and finds out she's changed the locks.)

[@hodgegiffy9338]

maybe fret's "late" for an audition/recital, seeing how his father's dressed up so nicely.

[@animal_gal_adventures9885]

​​@@hodgegiffy9338that's what i was thinking, perhaps his father was going to send him off to the double annually "audition" X was talking about to extract his talent

[@syrusangi8743]

I don't know if I'll agree with Fret's father trying to save him.If he was trying to save him, he wouldn't have reacted the way he did breaking into the house instead of trying to find reason with his wife/ex-wife. The fact that she even changed the locks proves he's been an ongoing threat to her n Fret n her refusal to llet him take her son. If anything, the dad is probably an accomplice with whatever is going on with the missing kids n was likely trying to give Fret away for whatever benefits he was offered.

[@petthequeenofmaddness8592]

I mean cults aren't known to be rationale if he was "different" him mom might have sent him away

[@KOkami03]

Anyone else want to bet that by the end of the game that entire opening scene will turn out to have a completely different meaning with context?

[@kristinaespe385]

Not sure

[@Oscar-u6n]

Yo what if fret's dad is J and fret has funny powers which are a threat

[@Puro_Fan-do4sh]

Honestly this game looks so good so far I’m so excited for the full game release. Nice video as always

[@yourregionalprotogen]

Who’s the artist from your pfp?

[@Puro_Fan-do4sh]

@@yourregionalprotogen the artist’s watermark says it’s @CloudRiderr

[@jesse4176]

Idk how many people have asked but will you ever do a Zoochosis endings explained video? I heard there’s like 23 endings total and I can never find all 23 endings in video format. Thanks for all that you do, Mike. Your videos make me smile and laugh a lot. Keep up the good work.

[@Jynxxx5]

That game sucks it never made sense in the first place

[@cadendicky1855]

I'm not sure why that game has so many endings but it's ridiculous.

[@arstotzkanplaguedoctor]

A whole lot of those numbers are just simple variations. Which in theory is nice, and it kinda is, but it's overblown when it's advertised as completely different endings, a better way to describe it is 'dynamic' so to say, because in terms of an *actual* different endings there's only the bad/good ending where you either die or kill the scientist instead The rest are the combinations for the end dialogue depending on if you called to warn Lily, if you didn't, or if you straight up ignored her, then combined with all the other stuff such as Saving the journalist, that's the majority of said '23' endings it's what all the combinations add up to

[@doll9340]

No he hasn't done a story explained

[@dwag0n935]

Your explanation videos are one of my favorites from your channel

[@masonmancoffey1722]

Same

[@theJellyBeanies]

His explanation videos are the ones that keep me updated on new lore and games because i don't have the guts to play them 😅❤

[@KennyKar]

How dare KZbin hide this video from me for 3 minutes

[@jeffersonfriend786]

Bro same

[@A-x7b3n]

Try sixteen minutes

[@TDIdialgagirl]

KZbin hid this from for FIVE minutes!

[@Chezburgerturtle]

Try 35

[@gabrielboudjema4076]

WHAT

[@hodgegiffy9338]

i wonder if fret has some kind of condition like face blindness, since all the characters we've seen so far in the story have had their faces blurred(fret's parents, the advertising guy for the light, the people in the forget-me-knots ad) or covered in some way (rachel's poster, j since he's turned around, ms whole, the girl in the bathroom cubicle, the missing, tape head, the conductor, the wrapped up people, fret kinda but not really since all he has are eyes).

[@juju8285]

As someone with face blindness, I REALLY like this theory, and not only can understand it in both real life and story context, but hope that this idea is correct

[@Arancia_observes]

It gonna be canon, PLEASE! 😭

[@RockitMusicYT]

AYYY! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@jorgecasillas5215]

AYYY ROCKIT your Here Game on 🤘

[@JaceyChristian]

I am HOOKED with this game! Looking forward to your full playthrough of it.

[@graythepokemonartist6427]

Aw man I was hoping to actually understand the story of this game I’m glad you made this

[@doll9340]

Maybe when the full game releases next year it would make more sense

[@dragonvideos5667]

It does take on some form of psychological horror as the game was said to be. It feels somewhere between state of Fret's mind and reality. The school could be a metaphor for something darker.

[@rikurose247]

I have an alternate idea for Ms. Whole: The puzzle involves "Mother's Song", and after it is solved, she violently bashes her head into the desk. What if that isn't a teacher, but Fret's mother instead? Maybe he saw his father do that to his mother or found her afterward? The kidnapping story with the white van could also be a lie the father tells the police to cover-up kidnapping Fret himself.

[@MildredCady]

The Conductor's mask is actually a Greek tragedy mask. Also, the way it's cracked is kind of the reverse of the Phantom of the Opera mask.

[@doll9340]

That's what caught my attention lol

[@clc619]

I’m predicting it now, the conductor is going to betray us and escape on his own

[@Void-Stomach]

Anyone else notice how throughout the game the lady from the opening cutscene is referred to in the subtitles as Mara but at 7:07 the man is referred to as Father⁉️🤨

[@Rowan-g5n]

I really really hope the whole thing isnt "just a dream" or "in his imagination" Things like that really annoy me and it would be a shame for this to be one of those kinda things

[@bella_daze3092]

AGREED

[@bella_daze3092]

It may be a Little Nightmares situation to where it is real but a parallel world

[@bluegold1026]

@@bella_daze3092That's what it's looking like to me. A parallel world as a stand-in as to what's going on the real world.

[@Leader7353]

considering what the canonical song Talk is about, I think this is more of both parents agreeing to a deal to let this happen to Fret but the mother deciding differently

[@julianowyujie]

The puppets remind me of a game called showdown bandit for those who know

[@dandereninja4750]

Yeah showdown bandit only has one chapter and it seems development for the game has been discontinued or abandoned.

[@HelluvaMari0Fan]

Finally! I've been trying to remember that name of it.

[@bella_daze3092]

AGREED

[@deadlydingus1138]

* sigh *

[@crimsonmoonrise9785]

At the very least,the creators could make a comic or cartoon to explain and wrap up Showdown Bandit. So many unanswered questions.😓😓😓😓😓

[@Roselovesdrawing]

To be honest, if instruments can become a horror game, i won't be surprised if fashion or art becomes a horror game too 😅

[@SuperDarkria]

Don't know about fashion, but there's a horror game named IB which takes place in an art gallery. It's pretty messed up.

[@lotusbloom6800]

Bendy made animation horror lol XD

[@laraprisma6381]

It's interesting that the humans don't have facial features, tho this could just be an artist choice maybe it's an implication that Fret has facial blindness. a condition in which a person cannot distinguish faces or facial expressions. Again, this could just be an artist's choice, but it could also be something related to the character. and from what I've read facial blindness can be caused by brain damage, and the game implies that he is abused by his father. who knows? Maybe he hurt Fret and it resulted in brain damage that caused him facial blindness, or he was born with it. Again, this is just a theory I created based on this decision to blur the faces of the human characters. both those in memories and those that appear on TV. So you can say this is... just a theory? :D

[@doll9340]

A game theory! Thanks for watching

[@OrphanedShrimp-lo3qk]

This is such a unique game. I’m really excited to see the full release! I’ve always wanted to see a game like this tbh.

[@MmasterChief47]

1:51 waking up to find out that you turn into a guitar is insane 🤯

[@johnlawful2272]

Than get picked up by diamond Dallas page

[@MmasterChief47]

@@johnlawful2272 that's hilarious 🤣

[@johnlawful2272]

@@MmasterChief47 or that horse

[@abbyroach4869]

This game is getting exciting from my perspective. I wonder what will happen when the full game drops. What other monsters are lurking within these cursed hallways? Is it possible the Conductor is an ally or a secret foe? Well, these and other questions will have to be revealed when it drops

[@daxterthefox]

11:19 I feel like that's a different, unrelated story. The father was acting wayy too sus and the mother acted a little more scared and defensive, that sounded a little too far-fetched. It's maybe like... background supportive lore for the ideas and theories.

[@Regions-3]

I love his glitchy fingers😆 2:52

[@LinkIncGames]

i just played the demo and came to this video. I think this one has a lot of potential! It feels like a indie horror renaissance is coming upon us with Don't Fret, Indigo Park and others!

[@sunnybunnystorm]

i think it's worth mentioning: the girl is in the third stall of the girl's bathroom, on the toilet. possible hanako-kun reference? i think so but i dont know ehe ^^''

[@skellington8090]

This game has so much potential, I can’t wait to see it complete!

[@XboxKing317]

Can't wait to see you play the full version!

[@ItsJavaJawa]

0:11 IS THAT MINOS PRIME?!

[@Pupperpats]

No, it's one of those Umbral creatures in Lords of the Fallen.

[@pikachuspartan1868]

"Ah~, free at lassssst!!"

[@triggeredlord6310]

@@PupperpatsNah that’s the spot man, somebody go get this man a bagel.

[@Pupperpats]

@@triggeredlord6310 No, it's literally an Umbral creature in a fancy costume.

[@Kiyoshi_otsu]

@@Pupperpatsthats legit minos without the see through body

[@couguard]

Your "the story explained" videos are by far my favorites.

[@PlayBatty]

1:50 that feel when I'm acoustic

[@wicusnel6632]

Please continue with your story explained videos, there are a lot of games that you haven't made videos for in a while. Please.

[@BeSoDocter]

Theory: Harmonic Heights was a boarding school for gifted children in music, and Fret and his sister (indicated in one of his journal pages) were enrolled into the academy, possibly because their parents where busy in their occupation (Both are probably travelling musicians). However, as the demo progresses, Harmonic Heights was secretly conducting experiments (possibly medication) and encoded an abusive education system to mold the students to reach their full potential, and they kidnapped the children (labelled missing) who knew too much of the school’s secrets. Fret’s sister was one of these missing children, and his mother decided to make him quit Harmonic heights after the incident. However, the father was oblivious about any of these incidents, and in the intro, he wanted Fret to return to the school for participating a recital, leading to the events of the game. Fret’s guitar form may either be how he sees himself in the school, probably influenced by the medicine or trauma (how it influence his perspective on others). Buts that’s a thought. Sorry that I might be over exaggerating.

[@BurningFlamesofDivineDragon]

So the dad's a saver or a drunk creep that's what I'm getting out of this. I wonder if the mother is related to the missing children?

[@LeoWolfish]

To be honest based on the wording, he seems more pissed at her and desperate to find Fret so it might very well be that he isn't actually the Villain in this. I could be wrong but it would be a nice plot twist for a change if the dad was actually not the bad guy.

[@BurningFlamesofDivineDragon]

@@LeoWolfish You got that right. I'd love for the dad to not be the bad guy.

[@bellenoar8482]

Please play mouthwash, I really can't play horror games, but I LOVE to watch you play them. And I often don't get the deeper meaning, so your story explains are gold for me.

[@CharlotteXMoon]

I think it would be cool and scary if Tap Head had real human eyes in the holes in the tape! Just an idea!

[@L.E.F.T.E]

This game looks so amazing! I loved Tapeheads design!

[@BurningFlamesofDivineDragon]

Man, I really hope that the dad isn't the bad guy. I'd love it to be some sort of twist like it's the mom instead that would be an interesting change of events.

[@Chinazom-dp7th]

Your monsters explained are soo goood and the soundtrack on your old vids Eg. Dark deception give me so much nolstagia to this day

[@Wdwalesmain]

Hi I’m a big fan love your videos

[@HamziHakim-x9r]

Yayy! Dad finally made a story video!!! I love his vids a lot you know! 🥰

[@connorgraham6063]

I dont feel like frets dad wanted to save him he screams "were gonna be late" seemingly talking about something for his whole family...maybe a addition for fret in a school show or something maybe his dad is too angry and forcing his son into things like being a musician

[@pikapower9223]

Hey great video Mike maybe you should do the full story explained again after the full game release next year.

[@terra1241]

I watched you play this, and now watching this o stoll feel the same... I think its a red herring. I think dads a good guy, and mom is the only threatening fret. Moms are notorious for trying to capitalize off their kids talents, and we hear the conductor, "they want your talent". Also, the teacher we see is probably depressed, and she's clearly violent. Maybe mom is the threat, but shes telling fret its his father who is the threat. I think once the full game releases we'll see a twist.

[@bella_daze3092]

Perhaps

[@HamziHakim-x9r]

Dad! I do think I have a hunch that the conductor could be Fret's father! He gives me that twisting feeling. Just to let you know for future interpretations.

[@Radechanicalarsonist]

I get intense hello puppets vibes from this

[@Jango-v1f]

This story is very interesting. 🤔 I can't wait to see what the full game has to offer! 😃🎸 Great video, Mike! 😉👍

[@jeroenvanbunderen8487]

I always vibe on the amazing background music of your story explained videos, I loooove it so much!❤️❤️❤️

[@alexthunder9926]

I noticed that when Fret talks too himself in the mirror, his voice sounds much older. Could it be that the guitar Fret is an adult version of the child Fret?

[@Deathy75]

4:48 why is the governor so worried about fret being in the school, unless fret is the threat?

[@BurningFlamesofDivineDragon]

That's a good question.

[@msmissygirl12]

“Don’t , Fret !” Probably telling him noooo don’t do that fret 😭

[@mrgoatman6202]

I’d wager it’s more what Fret brings than Fret himself, eg: his father will come looking for him. This is a complete guess though, i haven’t even finished the video yet

[@DessaBoyvers]

I love the ❤graphics❤.I can't wait for the full game

[@MightyContent6]

Me too! It isn't just for the trailer, the gameplay is lit too! The story pretty neat, it getting hard to "put the strings together" XD

[@mathiasvaa2076]

Hey man, I've been whatching your vids since the bendy and the ink machine days a few years ago and me and my brother have been big fan's ever since. hope your doing well, keep up the great quality videos.

[@EclecticBear]

I woke up like half an hour ago and when I opened my phone this was the first thing I looked for.

[@unfortunatewitnessX]

Whoa! You did the character design?!? Brilliant! Job well done! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@flashstudiosguy]

Twist Theory:Fret's Dad ISN'T the Bad Guy, instead his Mum IS! Dad discovers that his Wife works for the Medical Research Company and, appalled by the realisation of what fate possibly awaits his Son, races home in an attempt to save him but finds himself temporarily thwarted by the changed lock (No doubt put in place by a dubious Restraining Order obtained from the Courts by Mum who, thanks to the Legal Team at the Company, spins a tale of how Dad is "abusive" and "dangerous"

[@owlspiritpal7559]

I’m hoping the twist with the story is that the father is actually an ally and the mom’s the evil one. She could be a stand in for tape head

[@cutestcreeper569]

Unless this is gonna be like Bendy where Tape Head will be revealed to "own" the place, I don't see her representing the mom. If the mom does get represented by something, it'll probably be an enemy we haven't met yet.

[@balanceboy3089]

So it's Dark Deception, with talking instruments

[@somebodythatiusetoknow2027]

Cannot wait for the full game ❤

[@Monkeyseebooty]

This sounds like the amazing digital circus

[@eclipsedmoon87]

I currently only have one question: who names their kid Fret???? It's a synonym of worry or concern, who names their child that????

[@Xx_ZazaRose_xX]

Love the graphics! ❤

[@nightsentinel4622]

to be honest i feel like its something near poppy playtime with experiments involving kids but instead of us playing the role as a adult who worked for the company or used to be and is trying to redeem themselves, we take the role as one of the experimented children and experience what they face letting us know how they felt when everything and everyone seemed to be against them

[@Chinazom-dp7th]

Yo dude finding Frankie is finally coming out 😅

[@NP_sathailao]

Well not yet but eventually

[@Yuh-uc2lw]

Going to have to wait until next year to solve the mystery of this game

[@Trishata96]

Going by the music theme and other comments. Maybe Fret is a musical prodigy, something his dad takes advantage of and pushes Fret to do all the time for money or bragging rights. Which makes the boy burnt out. As such the mum is trying to stop the Dad taking him to another recital/performance to give the kid a break. Or going by the locks being changed has kicked him out for pushing their son so hard

[@Owe-g9b123]

Hey super hero bro please answer this question when it actually comes out will you make an explain story video or no because you are ready did also I love you channel!

[@michaelflores9384]

Me during the argument section: It's a couple's fight. Goin' into the night. I think it started at 6:30 this morning!

[@jossettehernanddez3697]

Love when you do these

[@Cloverfromyellow]

Mike seems like the type of guy that has infinite free time

[@centurosproductions8827]

...is that a Talent Canister wrapping up the student in the bathroom?

[@apurrfectnobody7309]

The conductor gave me Alastor vibes from Hazbin Hotel.. maybe its the radio overlay on the voice- but all i hear is Alastor XD

[@EliasOrdaz-r8r]

I believe the conductor is the puppet master having you bring the music talent to him.

[@fairplayer916]

You skipped over the incinerator in the basement. The one with the "broke guitar" on it. That you can send into the fire. That proceeds to scream like a dying clild.

[@jazzyl145]

This is looks amazing

[@bella_daze3092]

Don’t! Fret is such a wonderful game so far❤❤❤❤ I can’t wait to see more in the game 😭😭😭😭

[@LaneyBourgeois]

WHY DOES THIS GIVE ME SO MANY TADC VIBESSSSS?!?!?

[@superbendy7303]

Scene Selection 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Part 1: Trouble at home 1:29 - Part 2: A waking nightmare 4:01 - Part 3: Harmonic Heights 7:30 - Part 4: The Missing 11:43 - Part 5: Tape Head 15:38 - Outro

[@dorkykid89]

Hey Mike, love your vids!! Can you do a gameplay on “ A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead”?

[@M00N-2H1N3]

I did wonder when I first saw the trailer if this would be like a binding of Issac scenario, where this is within the kids mind. Though with BoI, Issac was suffocating and some of the playable characters was him in stages of decay

[@Rottcorvit]

Fret is likely a guitarist in the school since he's a guitar.

[@josephcyronder7021]

Parent abuse Childhood trauma Wonderland-like escapist world Shady corporations Child abduction Missing childhood friend I feel like I got a generic horror game bingo.

[@That1lowRanger]

I love the bioshock style

[@StaresAtYouInContempt]

No it seems like Tape might be directly related or responsible for the missing children, the fact she is going after adults and has a connection to the school is incredibly suspicious. Fret's dad is very related to whatever is happening, and J being told about "HER" could very VERY strongly be suggesting that Tape and Fret seem to manifest in tandem with each other or could be strongly related to each other in some way.

[@EthanJanczewski]

I love your old videos

[@matthewsimmons9277]

Basically a horror twist on pajama Sam.

[@doll9340]

That poor detective or cop or whoever it was. The way he talked about the situation. He sounds maybe defeated?

[@Ishaan-f2p]

First bad parenting now this Soon there will be an entire genre of games based on childhood trauma

[@deepanshudasanddrishtidas5988]

love the video❤

[@rustythomas6982]

i cant help seeing conection between Conductech and the Conducter.

[@cjabbott6588]

Hey Mike, I just wanted to inform you about something that you probably already know so recently, the people who are making Amanda the venture to just announced a release date of October 22 and the trailer has a lot of new footage and puzzles in it. If you have a time, make a review watching the trailer and analyze it and have fun search for teams releases in a couple days. Again, this is just an idea that you could do for a video I’m not forcing you.

[@touhoutrash2436]

I think that this game will have people scared of instruments now.

[@starface2178]

I am expecting this game series to have DIVERSE soundtrack, especially with various music genres! It only makes sense for a game based on music to have diverse soundtrack, NOT such generic horror ambience. There should be featured music genres of Rock, Country, EDM, etc.

[@urosmilankovic4963]

bruh yesterday was the 60 year anniversary of my music school this timing is kinda specific coincidance maybe

[@Blockified_]

Yooo let’s goo! This game is so cool.