Kim Kardashian: Hollywood mobile game to shut down

Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, the star’s successful mobile game is shutting down almost a decade after its release.

Since 2014 players have lived out their A-list dreams by boosting their fame and climbing the social ladder.

The game also included appearances from the 43-year-old and family members Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner.

But in a statement to BBC Newsbeat, Kim confirmed the closure, saying she would “forever be inspired” by the game’s community.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star partnered with mobile gaming developer Glu to release Hollywood.

It was a free-to-play title but players could purchase in-game currency K-stars to make a mark through events, modelling and dating.

“I’m so grateful from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has loved and played Kim Kardashian: Hollywood in the past 10 years,” Kim said.

She said making the game had “meant so much” to her but it was “time to focus that energy into other passions”.

The game has been removed from Apple and Android app stores, but existing players can still use its features until 8 April.

Recent screenshots of the game show the addition of a timer counting down to its shutdown.

Hollywood overcame initial scepticism following its debut and reportedly earned more than $160m.

It was also named one of the 100 best games of the decade by gaming site Polygon, which described it as a model for “mobile games unapologetically tailored toward young women”.

BBC Newsbeat has contacted Electronic Arts (EA), which bought Glu Mobile, for further comment.