Konami has confirmed that its Apple Arcade exclusive, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, will be taken offline in the near future. According to the company’s official statement, the game will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, and the servers that keep the title operational will be shut down on September 3. After that date, players will no longer be able to launch or play the game.
The publisher reflected on the title’s history, noting that it first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile experience available on iOS and Android in Canada. That initial version was short‑lived; it was discontinued roughly a year later. However, Konami revived the project in September 2021 by bringing it to Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS. In the transition to the subscription service, the developer eliminated all in‑game currency and microtransaction mechanics, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual fidelity to better match contemporary standards.
Since its launch on Apple Arcade, Grimoire of Souls has cultivated a dedicated community of players who have continued to support the game through regular play sessions and online interaction. Konami’s website quoted the company as saying, "Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players. However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The statement went on to thank the fan base, expressing sincere appreciation for the enthusiasm and loyalty shown over the years. "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 announcement read. The decision to cease operations is part of a broader trend within the industry, where several titles are scheduled to be retired in the coming months. Notably, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is slated for shutdown in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect shifting priorities among developers and publishers, as well as the challenges of maintaining online services for games that may no longer generate sufficient revenue or player engagement.
For those unfamiliar with Grimoire of Souls, the game offered a unique spin on the classic Castlevania franchise. It combined the series’ signature gothic aesthetic and monster‑hunting gameplay with a collectible card system that allowed players to assemble a roster of characters from various entries in the Castlevania universe.
Players could build decks, summon allies, and engage in real‑time battles against AI opponents or other players online. The Apple Arcade version emphasized a smoother, ad‑free experience, removing the monetization elements that characterized the original free‑to‑play model. The removal from Apple Arcade means that new users will no longer be able to download the title, and existing owners will lose access once the servers are decommissioned.
While offline features such as local save data may remain on a device, the core multiplayer components, leaderboards, and any cloud‑based progression will cease to function. This is a common outcome for subscription‑based or online‑dependent games when their backend infrastructure is shut down. Players who wish to preserve their progress or memories of the game are encouraged to capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or document their favorite decks before the final shutdown date. Some community forums may also host discussions and guides on how to recreate similar experiences using other Castlevania titles or fan‑made projects.
In summary, Konami’s Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely unplayable after September 3 when the service is terminated. The company has expressed heartfelt thanks to its player base for their support over the years.
This closure joins a series of upcoming game retirements across the industry, underscoring the evolving landscape of digital game distribution and the finite lifespan of online‑centric titles.