King of Fighters ALLSTAR's Unexpected Closure: A Mobile Gaming Trend
Netmarble has announced the impending closure of its popular mobile beat 'em up ARPG, King of Fighters ALLSTAR, on October 30th, 2024. In-app purchases have already been disabled.
This news comes as a surprise, given the game's six-year run and numerous successful collaborations with other prominent fighting game franchises. The game, based on SNK's King of Fighters series, had maintained a strong player base.
According to a developer statement, a contributing factor to the closure may be the depletion of characters from the King of Fighters roster suitable for adaptation into the game. While likely not the sole reason, this offers some insight into the decision-making process.
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What's Next?
The shutdown of King of Fighters ALLSTAR unfortunately reflects a growing trend in the mobile gaming industry: the closure of long-running live-service titles. This highlights the inherent challenges and risks associated with maintaining these games, even within the highly popular mobile gaming market. The financial sustainability of these projects remains a significant hurdle.
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