Konami has 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 will be removed from the subscription service on August 20, and the servers that keep it playable will be shut down completely on September 3, after which the experience will no longer be accessible to anyone.
In an official statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan and the community that supported it. "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 also took the opportunity to thank its fan base. "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 notice added.
Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, initially rolling out only in Canada. After a brief run, the original version was discontinued a year later.
Konami then re‑introduced the game as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms. The relaunch removed the in‑game currency system and microtransactions that had characterized the first version, and it featured a refreshed user interface, updated level layouts, and enhanced graphical fidelity to better align with Apple’s hardware capabilities. The decision to pull the title aligns with a broader trend of older online‑dependent games being retired as their player bases shrink and maintenance costs rise. Konami is not alone in this regard.
Several other titles are slated for similar fates 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.
These closures reflect the shifting priorities of publishers as they allocate resources toward newer projects and platforms. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or achievements stored on Konami’s servers will be lost after September 3. Since the game relied on online connectivity for core functions—such as matchmaking, leaderboards, and content updates—there is no offline mode that would allow continued play after the servers are turned off. While the end of service can be disappointing, it also offers a moment to reflect on the game’s contributions to the Castlevania franchise.
Grimoire of Souls brought a unique blend of classic side‑scrolling action and role‑playing elements, allowing players to collect and upgrade a roster of iconic characters from the series. The title’s emphasis on cooperative multiplayer and its integration into Apple Arcade’s ad‑free, subscription‑based model made it a distinctive offering in the crowded mobile gaming market. Looking ahead, fans of the Castlevania universe can anticipate future releases from Konami that may revisit the series’ gothic roots with modern technology. The company has hinted at ongoing development work on new entries, though specific details remain under wraps.
In the meantime, the community can preserve memories of Grimoire of Souls through gameplay videos, fan art, and discussion forums that continue to celebrate the game’s legacy. If you own a device that still has the app installed, you will be able to launch it up until the September 3 deadline, but any attempt to start a new session after that date will result in an error message indicating that the service is no longer available. Players are encouraged to download any personal screenshots or recordings they wish to keep before the shutdown, as the game’s data will be purged from Konami’s servers.
In summary, Konami’s decision to retire Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls follows a pattern of service terminations for online‑only titles that have run their course. The removal from Apple Arcade on August 20 and the final server shutdown on September 3 will close the chapter on a game that, for a time, offered a fresh take on a beloved franchise within a subscription ecosystem. The company’s public thank‑you underscores the appreciation for the community that kept the title alive for nearly two years on the platform, and it serves as a reminder that digital experiences, while fleeting, can leave lasting impressions on the players who enjoyed them.