Konami has made public its plan to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls next month, ending the game's availability on Apple Arcade and ultimately removing the ability to play it altogether. The title, which has been a part of the Apple Arcade catalog since its debut on the platform, will be taken off the service on August 20. After that date, the game will remain accessible only to those who have already downloaded it, but on September 3 the servers will be shut down, rendering the experience unplayable for everyone. In an official 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 statement read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The developer went on to thank the community, saying, "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." Grimoire of Souls originally arrived in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. After a brief run, the original version was discontinued a year later. Konami later revived the game as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its reach to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The Apple Arcade incarnation was stripped of its original in‑game currency and micro‑transaction model, received a refreshed user interface, and benefited from upgraded graphics and performance improvements.
These changes were intended to align the game with the subscription‑based, ad‑free philosophy of Apple Arcade. The decision to pull the game now is part of a broader trend of titles winding down their online services. Konami noted that Grimoire of Souls joins a short list of games slated for closure in the coming months. For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November.
The wave of shutdowns reflects the challenges of maintaining live‑service games, especially those that rely on continuous server support and regular content updates. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or customizations stored on Konami’s servers will become inaccessible after September 3.
While offline play may still be possible for a short window, the core multiplayer and progression systems are tied to the online infrastructure, which will be permanently disabled. Industry observers point out that the lifecycle of mobile and subscription‑based games often includes a finite operational period. Developers must weigh the costs of server maintenance, updates, and community management against the revenue generated by the game.
When a title no longer meets financial or strategic goals, companies may opt to sunset it, providing a final notice to the player base and, in some cases, offering compensation or in‑game bonuses before the closure. Fans of the Castlevania franchise have expressed mixed reactions to the news.
Some appreciate the nostalgia and unique gameplay that Grimoire of Souls offered—particularly its blend of classic side‑scrolling combat with modern, high‑definition visuals—while others lament the loss of a title that allowed them to experience the iconic vampire‑hunting series on a portable, subscription‑based platform. The game’s removal also serves as a reminder of the impermanent nature of digital-only releases, where access can be revoked as quickly as it is granted. Looking ahead, Konami has not announced any immediate replacements or successors to Grimoire of Souls within the Apple Arcade lineup.
However, the company continues to develop new entries across its portfolio, including upcoming projects in the Metal Gear, Silent Hill, and other long‑standing series. Players interested in future Castlevania experiences may need to watch for announcements regarding new titles on consoles, PC, or other streaming services. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online components fully shut down on September 3.
Konami thanked its community for years of support, and the game’s removal aligns with a broader pattern of service‑based titles concluding their operational periods. Those who have enjoyed the game are encouraged to finish any remaining activities before the cutoff date, as the opportunity to play will disappear once the servers are offline.