99 Nights Story & Lore
Discover the complete narrative of 99 Nights in the Forest, from real-world inspiration to supernatural horror elements and deep game lore.
99 Nights in the Forest: Story Overview
99 Nights in the Forest is a survival horror game on the Roblox platform, developed by Grandma's Favourite Games and released on March 4, 2025. Set in a dark, mysterious forest, the game challenges players to survive 99 days while rescuing four missing children.
The narrative blends real-world inspiration with fictional horror elements, creating a chilling and immersive experience. The game's claim of being "based on a true story" adds a layer of intrigue, drawing players into its unsettling lore.
99 Nights True Story
The game draws heavily from a remarkable true story: the 2023 Colombian Amazon plane crash on May 1st, where a Cessna 206 carrying seven passengers crashed in Caquetá province. The three adults perished, but four children—13-year-old Lesly, 9-year-old Soleiny, 4-year-old Tien, and 11-month-old Cristin—survived for 40 days in the rainforest.
These children belonged to the Huitoto indigenous group. Led by 13-year-old Lesly, who used her indigenous knowledge to identify edible plants, build shelters, and navigate the jungle, they survived by eating cassava flour (fariña), wild fruits like avichure, and seeds while avoiding jaguars and venomous snakes.
On June 9th, 2023, they were found by a joint Colombian military and indigenous volunteer search team in what was dubbed "Operation Hope." The children were airlifted to a military hospital in Bogotá, where they received treatment for malnutrition, dehydration, and insect bites.
Real-Life Parallels
- Four children surviving in hostile environment
- Plane crash as the inciting incident
- Survival challenges: starvation, predators, shelter
- Indigenous knowledge aiding survival
- 40 days of real survival vs 99 nights in game
Timeline & Recovery
- May 1, 2023: Plane crash in Amazon
- June 9, 2023: Children rescued after 40 days
- July 14, 2023: Children discharged from hospital
- 2024: Netflix documentary "The Lost Children" released
Cultural Impact & Media
This incredible survival story has inspired numerous works, including:
- Netflix documentary "The Lost Children" (November 2024)
- Global media coverage of the "miracle" survival
- Inspiration for games like 99 Nights in the Forest
- Recognition of indigenous knowledge and resilience
99 Nights Game Story
The story revolves around a group of players who take on the role of rescuers in a dense, hostile forest. Their primary objective is to locate and save four children who have gone missing following a plane crash.
The forest is not only filled with natural dangers like wild animals but also harbors supernatural threats, including a monstrous, bipedal deer—often likened to a Wendigo—and a cult that worships it.
Daytime Activities
- Resource gathering and base-building
- Exploring the forest safely
- Preparing for night attacks
- Searching for missing children
Nighttime Dangers
- Attacks from the Deer and cultists
- Maintaining campfire light
- Using flashlights to stun the Deer
- Surviving supernatural threats
Story Elements & Lore
Fictional Horror Elements
While rooted in the 2023 survival story, 99 Nights in the Forest incorporates fictional horror elements inspired by the 2018 video game The Forest. The forest in the game was once a research facility where animal experiments took place.
A deer escaped, became violent, and caused mass casualties, leading survivors to form a cult worshipping it as a divine entity. This Deer, described as a Wendigo-like creature with a large head, bulging eyes, and the ability to stand on hind legs, is the game's primary antagonist.
The Deer's Origins
- Escaped from research facility
- Animal experiments gone wrong
- Mass casualties in the forest
- Cult formation around the creature
Physical Description
- Large head and bulging eyes
- Bipedal movement capability
- Wendigo-like appearance
- Nocturnal and vicious nature
The Wendigo Connection
The Deer is heavily inspired by Wendigo folklore, a mythical creature from Algonquian stories associated with greed, hunger, and the wilderness. In the game, the Deer is nocturnal, vicious, and repelled by light, aligning with Wendigo traits.
Some theories suggest the Deer may be the transformed mother of the missing children, possibly altered by the cult or the lab's experiments, as evidenced by a syringe found near a bear cage and the plane wreckage.
Wendigo Characteristics
- Associated with greed and hunger
- Wilderness and forest dwelling
- Nocturnal behavior
- Repelled by light sources
- Supernatural transformation themes
Gameplay and Story Integration
The narrative is woven into the gameplay through environmental storytelling and objectives. Players must find cave keys to access the children, who are hidden in different locations, often accompanied by crayon drawings depicting the Deer.
Rescue Mission
Find cave keys to access the children, discover crayon drawings, and uncover the Deer's connection to the missing kids.
Survival Mechanics
Gather resources to maintain campfire, survive nightly attacks, and manage hunger events that increase Deer aggression.
Cultists and Threats
Face cultists wearing deer antlers, perform ritual sacrifices, and battle bears, wolves, frogs, and aliens.
Clues and Lore
Discover Hunter Logs, Ranger Diaries, and lab hints that reveal the forest's dark history and the Deer's creation.
Endings and Story Resolution
Good Ending
Surviving all 99 nights and rescuing all four children triggers a cutscene where the Deer watches from afar before disappearing into an underground facility.
"More story and an ending will be revealed soon" - suggesting ongoing updates.
Bad Endings
- Starvation
- Lightning strikes
- Cultist sacrifices
- Deer attacks
Future Updates
Developers have promised new endings tied to different classes or playstyles, keeping the community engaged with evolving narrative content.
Community and Updates
The game has fostered a dedicated community, with fan-run wikis and Reddit discussions dissecting its lore. Updates have introduced new enemies, classes, and mechanics that expand the narrative.
Major Updates
- Frog Invasion (August 22, 2025)
- Alien Invasion (July 18, 2025)
- New classes: Poison Master, Alien, Cyborg
- Teleporters and poisonous frog armor
Community Resources
- Fan-run wiki - Complete game guide and resources
- Reddit community r/99nightsintheforest
- Active developer engagement
- Ongoing lore discussions
Conclusion
99 Nights in the Forest combines the harrowing real-life survival story of four children in the Amazon with fictional horror inspired by The Forest and Wendigo folklore. The game's narrative foundation in the 2023 Colombian Amazon plane crash story adds authenticity and emotional weight to the survival horror experience.
While the game fictionalizes the story with supernatural elements, it preserves the core themes of resilience, indigenous knowledge, and the human will to survive. The game's evolving lore and community engagement ensure its story continues to captivate players, with developers actively responding to feedback and hinting at deeper lore in future updates.
This unique blend of real-world inspiration and fictional horror creates a compelling narrative that honors the incredible true story while providing an immersive gaming experience that keeps players engaged and invested in the lore.