Konami has made public its plans to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls next month, ending the game's availability on Apple Arcade. The title, which has been part of the Apple Arcade catalog since its debut on the platform in September 2021, will be pulled from the storefront on August 20.
After that date, players will no longer be able to download or purchase the game. Moreover, the online services that support the game will be fully terminated on September 3, rendering the title completely unplayable for anyone who still has it installed. In an official statement posted on its website, Konami explained the reasoning behind the decision.
"Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the company wrote. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The publisher went on to thank the community for its enthusiasm over the years, noting, "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." To understand the significance of this shutdown, it helps to look back at the game's origins. Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada.
That early version relied on a typical free‑to‑play model, featuring in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a design that catered to short, on‑the‑go play sessions. After roughly a year, the original mobile version was discontinued, and Konami shifted its focus toward a more premium experience.
The game resurfaced in September 2021 as part of Apple Arcade, Apple's subscription‑based gaming service that promises an ad‑free, microtransaction‑free environment. For the re‑launch, Konami stripped away the in‑game currency system and any purchasable items, redesigning the user interface and upgrading the visual fidelity to take advantage of the higher‑end hardware found in modern iOS devices, Apple TV, iPadOS, and macOS. The result was a more polished, cohesive Castlevania experience that emphasized exploration, combat, and the series' signature gothic atmosphere. Grimoire of Souls is not the only title facing an imminent shutdown.
The gaming industry has seen a wave of service‑based games reaching the end of their lifecycle as developers and publishers reassess the cost of maintaining servers and providing ongoing support. In the coming months, several other popular titles will also be taken offline.
Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo's mobile racing game, is slated to cease operations in September. Following that, Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will be shut down in October, and Sony's Destruction AllStars will end its service in November. The decision to pull a game from a subscription platform like Apple Arcade can be influenced by a variety of factors, including player engagement metrics, the financial viability of keeping servers running, and strategic shifts in a company's portfolio.
While fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls may be disappointed, the move reflects a broader trend where companies prioritize newer projects or titles with larger active user bases. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or achievements will become inaccessible after September 3. Those who wish to preserve their memories of the game are encouraged to capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or document their favorite moments before the service ends.
Unfortunately, because the game relied on online connectivity for many of its features, there is no official way to export saved data for offline play. Looking ahead, Konami has not announced any direct replacements for Grimoire of Souls within the Apple Arcade lineup, but the publisher continues to develop new entries across its various franchises, including the long‑running Castlevania series. Fans can anticipate future releases that may revisit the classic vampire‑hunting formula, potentially with fresh mechanics, updated graphics, and new storytelling approaches that align with modern gaming expectations. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20, and its online services will be fully terminated on September 3, ending the ability for players to access or play the game.
Konami expressed sincere appreciation for its community, acknowledging the support that kept the title alive for over two years on the platform. The shutdown is part of a larger pattern of service‑based games concluding their lifespans, with several other titles also scheduled for decommissioning in the near future. Players are advised to savor their remaining time with the game and consider preserving any personal highlights before the final shutdown date.