Netmarble Launches The King of Fighters AFK Halloween Update

The latest seasonal refresh adds new fighters and festive in-game events to the mobile title.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in eSports

Dark fantasy illustration of a glowing jack-o'-lantern and hovering fox-orb relics, created in a stylized poster art aesthetic.
Netmarble has released a new Halloween-themed update for The King of Fighters AFK, introducing new playable characters and festive limited-time event rewards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Netmarble has released a new Halloween-themed update for The King of Fighters AFK. The seasonal content introduces new playable characters alongside limited-time festivities and rewards for players.

Why it matters

Seasonal updates help maintain player engagement by providing fresh challenges and limited-time collectible content. This update specifically aligns with the Halloween season to boost in-game activity through thematic events.

Players can build diverse team combinations using up to 25 different fighters within the mobile game. This release follows the legacy of a franchise that has spanned 15 distinct titles since the 1990s.

The players

Netmarble

Netmarble is a major South Korean mobile game developer and publisher known for its extensive portfolio of interactive entertainment.

The details

The update introduces Halloween Angel and KOF 2001 Heidern as playable additions, while players can earn Halloween Mature and Iori Yagami through event rewards. Additional content includes the Pumpkin Festival, Pumpkin Tower, and the Halloween Parade, alongside Mature's Keepsake Fox Orb.

Timeline

  1. The update and Pick-Up Event launched on October 22, 2026.

  2. The Pumpkin Festival event is scheduled to conclude on November 4, 2026.

  3. The Lucky Elpy event will run from November 2 to November 6, 2026.

  4. The Pick-Up Event and Arrival Events are set to conclude on November 11, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The update builds on the decades-long legacy of The King of Fighters game series, which pioneered the competitive fighting genre in the 1990s. This seasonal release extends the franchise's strategy of refreshing its mobile roster to keep pace with modern live-service gaming trends.

Players can acquire Halloween Angel through the currently active Pick-Up Event. Additionally, obtaining KOF 2001 Heidern requires the use of Token of Growth items at the Ranking Event Exchange Shop.

The takeaway

Players looking to optimize their rosters should participate in the active events before the November deadlines. Leveraging these limited-time opportunities is essential for acquiring event-exclusive fighters like Mature and Iori Yagami.

What happens next

The Pumpkin Festival event concludes on November 4, 2026. The Lucky Elpy event runs from November 2 to November 6, 2026. Finally, the Pick-Up Event and associated Arrival Events will conclude on November 11, 2026.

Further reading

For more on the competitive gaming landscape, visit our eSports section.

More information

For more details on the company's latest projects, view the Netmarble corporate information website.

Live Poll

Do you enjoy participating in seasonal events within mobile games?