Smiley Model Iterations

Smiley, currently designated as ARC-608, has undergone significant changes throughout its development. Earlier models differ greatly from its current version, reflecting shifts in design priorities and inspirations. These iterations reveal Smiley’s evolution from simpler, more abstract forms to the detailed entity it is today.
=== First Model: The Smiler ===
The first iteration of Smiley was referred to as "The Smiler" and drew its inspiration from The Backrooms’ Smiler, which itself was inspired by SCP-087-B. Unlike the modern Smiley, this version featured two round, white eyes and a mouth filled with triangular, spiky white teeth. Its eyes used to be red, but they were mysteriously later changed to white. The upper jaw had 20 teeth, and the lower jaw had 22, both closely spaced.
This design was significantly less humanoid and more minimalist than its successor. When it was first introducted into the game, it consisted of its floating face surrounded by a large, tombstone-shaped black fog that matched the size of its body later introduced. The body was extremely tall, even reaching the ceiling, unlike the current model, which is roughly player-sized.
The Smiler also had distinct mechanics. It turned lights orange rather than blue and emitted sounds similar to croacking or ticking, instead of the groaning noises of the modern version. The kill animation showed the Smiler lowering its face to the player’s view while opening its mouth widely.
In The Classrooms, school whiteboards can feature randomly generated drawings, one of which depicts a wide creepy smile with tally marks above it. This drawing closely resembles the Smiler, suggesting it may have been created during the Smiler's inclusion in the game. This implies that the developers may have either forgotten to replace it with Smiley’s design when the transition occurred, or it could simply represent a generic "creepy" face unrelated to either entity.
A part of the community initially disagreed to the Smiler's replacement, but the developers moved forward anyway, which did not really disappoint much in the end.
File:The Smiler.png
File:Smiler with red eyes and open mouth.png
File:Smiler open mouth.png
=== The Unreleased Model ===
The second iteration was never officially released but was used during the transition from The Smiler to Smiley. This model had a shift toward a more humanoid appearance, very close in appearance to its inspiration, The Jungler.
Its face was visibly white and did not possess the typical blue hue of the modern Smiley.
The jumpscare was identical to The Smiler's.
This iteration is the one depicted in Smiley’s current ARC document image, which remained unchanged due to its resemblance to the final model.
File:Smiley's ARC document image.png
=== Release and Early Adjustments ===
The third iteration coincided with Smiley's official introduction into the game. This version featured slightly more light on its face and drained flashlights at a faster rate. It took approximately 15.5 seconds to deplete a fully charged flashlight, whereas later updates increased this time to 17 seconds, likely due to adjustments in the flashlight's battery life.
=== Development Iterations ===
Throughout its development, Smiley underwent numerous refinements, primarily to the lighting around its face. Early versions displayed a more illuminated facial model, but this was gradually reduced to differentiate it from its inspiration, The Jungler, and to enhance the entity's integration with its dark environment.
Smiley's final model underwent experimentation by the developers, who at one point removed his eyes to evaluate whether this change could enhance its appearance or increase its unsettling nature. However, this alteration resulted in a design perceived as less iconic and lacking Smiley's iconic character, ultimately leading to the developers retaining them.