Konami has officially confirmed that its Castlevania title, Grimoire of Souls, will be taken offline in the near future. The game, which has been available exclusively through Apple Arcade, is slated to be removed from the service’s library on August 20, and the servers that support the experience will be shut down entirely on September 3. After that date, players will no longer be able to launch or play the game. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifecycle.
"Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the announcement read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The publisher went on to thank its 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 title for iOS and Android devices, initially rolling out only in the Canadian market. That early version featured in‑game currency and a microtransaction model typical of many mobile games at the time.
After about a year, the original mobile version was discontinued. Konami later revived the project by bringing it to Apple’s broader ecosystem, releasing it on iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS as part of the Apple Arcade subscription service. The transition to Apple Arcade prompted a series of substantial changes.
The developers stripped out the in‑game currency and any microtransaction mechanics, aligning the experience with Apple Arcade’s ad‑free, no‑extra‑cost philosophy. They also overhauled the user interface, refined level layouts, and upgraded the visual fidelity, delivering sharper graphics and smoother animations that took advantage of the more powerful hardware found in modern Apple devices. While the game’s removal may disappoint its dedicated fan base, it is part of a broader trend of online‑dependent titles winding down as their player bases shrink or as strategic priorities shift. Konami noted that Grimoire of Souls joins a short list of games slated for decommissioning in the coming months.
Among them, 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. The shutdown process for online games typically follows a predictable pattern. First, the title is delisted from any storefronts or subscription libraries—in this case, Apple Arcade—preventing new players from downloading it. Existing players can usually continue to play until the final shutdown date, after which the game’s servers are turned off, rendering the title unplayable.
This approach ensures that current users have a brief window to finish any ongoing progress or to say goodbye to the community. For those who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the announcement serves as a reminder of the impermanent nature of many digital experiences, especially those that rely on continuous online support. While the game’s core mechanics—exploring gothic castles, battling classic Castlevania monsters, and collecting a variety of souls to enhance your character—remain fondly remembered, the technical infrastructure that kept those worlds alive will soon be gone. Looking ahead, fans of the Castlevania franchise can still enjoy a rich library of titles across consoles, PC, and mobile platforms.
The series, known for its atmospheric storytelling and challenging gameplay, continues to receive new entries and remasters, ensuring that the spirit of vampire hunting lives on even as individual projects like Grimoire of Souls reach their final chapter. In summary, Konami’s decision to retire Castlevania: Grimoir e of Souls reflects both the natural lifecycle of subscription‑based games and the company’s focus on reallocating resources to newer projects. The game will disappear from Apple Arcade on August 20, and its online services will be terminated on September 3, ending the experience for all remaining players.
The company’s heartfelt thank‑you note underscores the appreciation for the community that supported the title throughout its years of service.