Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, bringing an end to the game’s presence on Apple Arcade. The service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which the game’s servers will be shut down on September 3, rendering it unplayable for anyone who has not already downloaded it.
In a statement posted on its website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan: "Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the title has enjoyed continued support from a dedicated player base. Nevertheless, we have made the decision to discontinue the service in September." The company went on to thank its community, saying, "We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of our players for their enthusiastic support over the years. The entire development and operations team sincerely thanks you for being part of this journey." Grimoire of Souls originally launched in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play experience for iOS and Android devices, initially available only in Canada.
After a brief run, the mobile version was discontinued a year later. Konami later revived the game as an exclusive title for Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms. This re‑release came with a series of notable changes: the in‑game currency and micro‑transaction mechanics were removed, the user interface received a redesign, and the visual fidelity was upgraded to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities.
The decision to retire Grimoire of Souls follows a broader trend of online‑dependent games being phased out as their player numbers dwindle or as the cost of maintaining server infrastructure outweighs the benefits. In the coming months, several other titles are slated for similar fates.
Mario Kart Tour is set to shut down in September, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will follow in October, and Destruction AllStars is scheduled for termination in November. For players who have not yet downloaded Grimoire of Souls, the August 20 delisting means the game will no longer appear in the Apple Arcade storefront, and it will become impossible to install the app after that date. Existing owners can continue to play the game until the September 3 server shutdown, after which all online features—including multiplayer modes, leaderboards, and any cloud‑saved progress—will cease to function.
Offline single‑player content, if any, may remain accessible, but the core experience was built around online connectivity, so the game will effectively be unusable. Konami’s announcement underscores the challenges faced by live‑service games, especially those that rely on continuous server support and periodic content updates. While the original free‑to‑play version on Android and iOS offered micro‑transactions, the Apple Arcade iteration removed those monetisation elements, positioning the game as a premium, subscription‑based experience.
This shift eliminated a revenue stream that could have helped sustain the game’s backend costs, making the decision to shut it down more understandable from a business perspective. Fans of the Castlevania franchise have expressed mixed feelings about the news. Some appreciate the chance to revisit the game before it disappears, while others lament the loss of a unique entry that blended classic Castlevania lore with a card‑collecting, multiplayer focus. The title’s distinctive mechanics—allowing players to assemble decks of characters, weapons, and abilities from the broader Castlevania universe—offered a fresh take on the series that differed from the traditional side‑scrolling action games.
If you own the game and wish to preserve any memories or achievements, it is advisable to capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or take notes on your progress before the September deadline. Some community members have also suggested exporting any saved data, though the official channels do not guarantee that such data will be usable after the servers are decommissioned. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online services terminating on September 3. Konami thanks its players for their support and acknowledges the game’s role in the Apple Arcade lineup since its 2021 launch.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the retirement of Grimoire of Souls serves as a reminder of the finite lifespan of many online‑focused titles, and it encourages players to enjoy the experience while it remains available.