The beloved beat 'em up ARPG, *King of Fighters ALLSTAR*, will be ending its service in October 2024, a decision that came as a surprise to many fans. Netmarble, the game's developer, made the announcement on their official blog, revealing that the game will shut down on October 30th. In preparation for the closure, in-game purchases have already been discontinued.
This announcement marks a significant moment for the game, which has thrived for over six years and featured numerous collaborations with other renowned fighting game franchises. *King of Fighters ALLSTAR* draws its roots from SNK's historically significant but slightly niche *King of Fighters* series.
According to the developer's detailed handbook, one of the reasons cited for the closure is the exhaustion of new fighters to adapt into the game, despite the expansive roster available from the KoF series. While this may not be the sole reason, it sheds some light on the factors leading to this decision.
The closure of *King of Fighters ALLSTAR* adds to the growing trend in 2024 of long-running mobile live-service games being discontinued. This trend underscores the challenges faced by mobile game developers in sustaining their titles, despite the platform's immense popularity. It also highlights the precarious nature of game preservation in the mobile space.
For fans looking for a new game to fill the void left by *King of Fighters ALLSTAR*, why not explore our list of the best mobile games of 2024? Updated regularly, this list offers top picks across various genres to suit every taste. Alternatively, dive into our weekly feature highlighting the top five new mobile games you need to try. Both resources are sure to help you find your next gaming obsession.