King of Fighters ALLSTAR's Unexpected Closure: October 30th, 2024
Netmarble's popular mobile beat 'em up ARPG, King of Fighters ALLSTAR, will be shutting down on October 30th, 2024. This announcement, made via the official Netmarble forums, confirms the cessation of in-game purchases, which have already been halted.
The closure comes as a surprise, given the game's six-year run and numerous successful collaborations with other prominent fighting game franchises. King of Fighters ALLSTAR, based on SNK's King of Fighters series, has enjoyed considerable success.
According to the developer's announcement, a contributing factor to the closure is the depletion of characters from the King of Fighters franchise suitable for adaptation into the game. While this likely isn't the sole reason, it offers some insight into the decision-making process.
What's Next?
The shutdown of King of Fighters ALLSTAR unfortunately reflects a growing trend in the mobile gaming industry, with many long-running live-service titles being discontinued. This highlights the inherent challenges and risks associated with maintaining these games, even within the highly popular mobile gaming market.
If you're looking for a new mobile game to fill the void, check out our list of the best mobile games of 2024 (so far)! Alternatively, explore our weekly feature highlighting the top five new mobile games. Both lists offer diverse selections across various genres to suit any preference.