Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month. The game, which has been available exclusively through Apple Arcade, is slated to be removed from the subscription platform on August 20, and the servers that power the experience will be shut down entirely on September 3. After that date, players will no longer be able to launch or play the game. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan.
"Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the announcement read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The developer also took the opportunity to thank the community.
"We would like to express our gratitude to all of our players for their enthusiastic support throughout the years. The entire development and operations team sincerely thanks you for being part of this journey," the notice added.
Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. After a brief run, the mobile version was discontinued a year later. Konami then re‑imagined the game for Apple’s ecosystem, bringing it to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS as part of the Apple Arcade catalog. This second launch stripped the title of its original in‑game currency and micro‑transaction model, overhauled the user interface, and delivered a visual upgrade that aligned the game with modern standards.
The decision to pull the game now is part of a broader trend of online‑dependent titles winding down their services. In the coming months, several other games are also scheduled for shutdown.
Mario Kart Tour, another popular mobile title, will cease operations in September. Following that, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem is set to be discontinued in October, and Destruction AllStars will be taken offline in November. The removal of Grimoire of Souls from Apple Arcade means that subscribers will no longer see the game listed in the store after August 20.
Existing owners will lose access to any saved progress once the September 3 server shutdown occurs. Players who have not yet experienced the game are encouraged to download and play it before the delisting date, as it will be unavailable thereafter. For those unfamiliar with the title, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls offered a unique twist on the classic Castlevania franchise.
Instead of the traditional side‑scrolling or 3D action‑adventure format, Grimoire of Souls presented a card‑based battle system where players collected and deployed characters from across the series. The game featured a roster of iconic heroes and villains, each represented by a card with distinct abilities, stats, and upgrade paths.
Players could assemble decks, engage in strategic combat, and explore a variety of stages that paid homage to the series' rich history. When Konami transitioned the game to Apple Arcade, the removal of micro‑transactions was a notable shift. The original free‑to‑play version relied on purchasable in‑game currency to speed up progression and unlock premium cards. The Arcade version, however, offered a fully premium experience, granting all content to subscribers without additional purchases.
This change was well‑received by many fans who appreciated the ability to enjoy the full roster without extra spending. Graphically, the Arcade iteration benefited from higher‑resolution assets and smoother animations, taking advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.
The user interface was also streamlined, making deck building and navigation more intuitive for both longtime Castlevania enthusiasts and newcomers. Despite these improvements, the game’s online‑only nature meant that its longevity was tied to server support.
As with many live‑service titles, maintaining servers, handling updates, and providing ongoing support requires a sustained investment. Konami’s decision to end the service reflects a strategic reallocation of resources toward other projects within the company’s portfolio.
Players who have invested time in building their decks and completing challenges are advised to capture any screenshots or record their achievements before the shutdown, as there will be no way to retrieve this data afterward. The company has not announced any compensation or alternative means to preserve progress, which is typical for service terminations of this kind. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will disappear from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely unplayable after September 3 when the servers are turned off. Konami expressed heartfelt thanks to its community, and the game joins a list of other titles that are also slated for closure in the near future.
Fans of the Castlevania series who have not yet tried Grimoire of Souls should consider giving it a try before the deadline, as it will no longer be accessible once the removal date passes.