Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline in the near future. The game, which has been available solely through Apple Arcade, is slated to be removed from the subscription platform on August 20. After that date, the service will continue to operate for a short period before the game is completely shut down on September 3, at which point it will no longer be playable by anyone.
In a statement posted on Konami’s official website, the company reflected on the game’s lifespan. "Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the title has enjoyed ongoing support from a dedicated player base," the announcement read. "Nevertheless, we have made the decision to discontinue the service as of September." The developer also took the opportunity to thank the community.
"We wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of our players for their enthusiastic support over the years," the message continued. "The entire development and operations team is deeply grateful for your involvement in this journey." To understand the context, it helps to look back at the game’s origins. Grimoire of Souls first arrived in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play offering for iOS and Android devices, initially launching only in Canada. After roughly a year on the mobile market, the original version was discontinued.
Konami later revived the title as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. When the game returned under the Apple Arcade banner, Konami made several significant changes. The in‑game currency system and associated microtransactions were removed, aligning the experience with the subscription‑based model of the service. Additionally, the developers refined the user interface, updated level layouts, and enhanced the visual fidelity to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities.
These updates were intended to provide a smoother, more polished experience for players who were already familiar with the franchise’s classic gothic aesthetic. Grimoire of Souls is not the only title facing an imminent shutdown.
The gaming industry regularly cycles through a number of online‑dependent games that eventually reach the end of their service life. In the coming months, several other popular titles are scheduled for similar fates. For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem service slated for termination in October. Later in the year, the multiplayer arena shooter Destruction AllStars will also be taken offline in November.
The decision to retire a game can stem from multiple factors, including declining player numbers, the cost of maintaining servers, and strategic shifts in a company’s portfolio. While fans often feel disappointment when a beloved title disappears, developers typically aim to allocate resources toward new projects or to enhance existing ones that show stronger engagement metrics. For players of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown means that any progress made within the game will become inaccessible after September 3.
Those who wish to preserve memories of their experience may consider recording gameplay footage, taking screenshots, or documenting their favorite moments before the final servers go dark. Some community members also create fan guides or retrospectives to keep the spirit of the game alive even after official support ends. In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the end of an era for Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade. The title will be delisted on August 20, and the service will fully terminate on September 3, after which the game will no longer be playable.
The company expressed sincere gratitude to its player base and highlighted the game’s evolution from a free‑to‑play mobile title to a polished Apple Arcade exclusive. As part of a broader trend, several other games are also slated for shutdown in the coming months, reflecting the natural lifecycle of online‑dependent titles in the modern gaming landscape.