Konami has officially disclosed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of its availability on Apple Arcade. The game, which has been part of the Apple Arcade catalog since its debut on the platform in September 2021, will be removed from the service on August 20. After that date, players will no longer be able to download or access the title through the subscription. Moreover, the servers that support the game will be shut down on September 3, meaning that even those who have the game installed will lose the ability to play it once the shutdown occurs.
In a statement posted on Konami's official website, the company reflected on the game's history and expressed appreciation for its community. "Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the notice read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The company went on to thank its audience, 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." To understand why this shutdown matters, it's useful to look back at the game's origins. Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. That early version featured in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a monetisation model that was typical for mobile games at the time.
After roughly a year, the original mobile version was discontinued. Konami then re‑imagined the experience for Apple Arcade, launching a revamped edition across iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS. In this re‑release, the developers stripped out the microtransaction system, eliminated in‑game purchases, and focused on delivering a premium, ad‑free experience consistent with the Arcade subscription model.
They also took the opportunity to overhaul the user interface, refine level layouts, and enhance the visual fidelity with upgraded graphics and smoother animations. The decision to pull the game aligns with a broader trend of subscription‑based platforms pruning older titles as contracts expire or as strategic priorities shift.
Grimoire of Souls is not the only game slated for removal in the near future. Konami has indicated that several other titles will also be taken offline over the coming months.
For example, the popular racing game Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by the cartoon‑themed shooter Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and the vehicular combat title Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the finite lifespan that many live‑service games have, especially when they rely on continuous server support and periodic content updates.
For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown may feel abrupt, but Konami's statement underscores that the decision was made after careful consideration of the game's performance and the overall health of the service. The company highlighted the ongoing support the game received from its community since its Apple Arcade debut, indicating that the title maintained a dedicated fan base throughout its tenure.
Nonetheless, maintaining server infrastructure and providing updates for a niche title can become unsustainable, prompting publishers to reallocate resources toward newer projects or more profitable ventures. If you own a copy of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade, you should be aware of the timeline. After August 20, the game will no longer appear in the Arcade library, and you will not be able to reinstall it if you delete it. By September 3, any online features, such as leaderboards, multiplayer modes, or cloud saves, will cease to function.
Players who wish to preserve their progress may want to capture screenshots or record gameplay before the final shutdown, as there will be no official method to retrieve saved data after the servers go dark. The broader context of these shutdowns also raises questions about the longevity of digital-only games and the responsibilities of publishers toward their audiences.
While subscription services like Apple Arcade offer a convenient way to access a wide variety of games without upfront purchases, the impermanence of titles can be a downside for those who prefer to keep a game indefinitely. Some industry observers suggest that clearer communication about end‑of‑life dates and more robust archival options could help mitigate the disappointment felt by players when a beloved game disappears.
In summary, Konami's announcement signals the imminent removal of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls from Apple Arcade, with a delisting date of August 20 and a complete server shutdown on September 3. The company thanked its community for the support over the years and placed the decision within a larger pattern of service terminations affecting several other games in the upcoming months. Players are encouraged to savor their remaining time with the title and consider preserving any memories before the final shutdown, as the game will no longer be accessible after the specified dates.