Konami has officially confirmed that its Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the title’s presence on Apple Arcade. The game, which has been available exclusively through the subscription service since its arrival on the platform, will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20.
Following that removal, the servers that support the game will be shut down on September 3, after which the title will no longer be playable in any capacity. In a statement posted on Konami’s website, the company reflected on the game’s history and its decision to end support. "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 publisher 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 debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially rolling out only in the Canadian market. After a brief run, the mobile version was discontinued a year later. Konami then opted to give the game a second life by bringing it to Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
This relaunch was accompanied by a series of notable changes: the in‑game currency system and all microtransaction options were removed, the user interface received a redesign, and the graphics were upgraded to take advantage of the higher resolution capabilities of Apple’s hardware. The decision to pull Grimoire of Souls from service is part of a broader trend of online‑dependent titles reaching the end of their operational lifespans.
In recent months, several other games have announced similar shutdowns. For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is slated to go offline in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the challenges of maintaining live‑service games, especially when player bases dwindle or when the cost of server upkeep outweighs the revenue generated.
For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or saved data will become inaccessible after September 3. Players who wish to preserve their experiences are encouraged to capture screenshots or record gameplay before the final server shutdown, as there will be no official way to retrieve saved data thereafter. The removal of the title from Apple Arcade also has implications for the subscription service itself. Apple Arcade curates a rotating library of games, and the departure of a title often makes room for new additions.
While the loss of a well‑known franchise like Castlevania may disappoint some subscribers, it also opens the door for fresh experiences to be introduced, keeping the platform dynamic and appealing to a broad audience. From a business perspective, Konami’s move aligns with its broader strategy of focusing resources on projects that deliver sustainable returns.
The company has been shifting its portfolio toward titles with stronger ongoing engagement metrics, such as its flagship entries in the Metal Gear and Pro Evolution Soccer series, while gradually winding down less profitable or niche offerings. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, and its online services will be terminated on September 3, rendering the game unplayable.
Konami has expressed sincere thanks to the community for their support over the years and has highlighted the changes made during the game’s transition from a free‑to‑play mobile title to a premium Apple Arcade experience. This shutdown is part of a larger wave of service terminations affecting several online games, underscoring the evolving nature of the live‑service gaming market.