I still think the franchise died when the Marionette stopped being relevant. Ignoring the classic and withered animatronics, the Puppet is the most FNaF character from them all.
>His own music box mechanic parallels Freddy's toreador march when the power is out
>Amazing character design that stands out the most to every other character, including modern ones, as he doesn't appear to be a robot
>His expressionless face can subtly show emotion depending of the camera angle
>Biggest connection with many spirits and his character role combines with everyone. Ringmaster of the missing children, Springtrap's nemesis, Elizabeth's broken reflection, and even the Mimic is related to Nightmarionne
>Even more paranormal than Golden Freddy, as he behaves demonic and at some point, organic. The Marionette can stretch, expand and regenerate limbs like a tentacle venom snake in the books. This behavior doesn't make any sense with any established remnant and spirit rule in the franchise, while everyone is a haunting robot or some paranormal event, this makes the Puppet appear like a fucking organic creature
Even if his concept was poorly executed, Lefty and the Rockstars were single-handedly making FNaF 6 a FNaF game. Springtrap evolved into a slasher and got his own fandom, just like Sans got his own AU fandom separated from Undertale. And the funtimes and the mimic are from a completely different genre.
The franchise burned when the Puppet burned.