Konami has officially confirmed that its Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game’s presence on Apple Arcade. The title, which has been available exclusively through Apple’s subscription service since its debut on the platform, will be removed from the storefront on August 20. After that date, the game will no longer be purchasable or downloadable, and on September 3 the servers that power the experience will be permanently shut down, rendering the game unplayable for anyone who still has it installed.
In a statement posted on Konami’s corporate website, the company reflected on the game’s lifecycle and thanked its community. "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 went on to express sincere appreciation for the fan base, 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." Grimoire of Souls originally arrived on the market in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. That early version featured a traditional free‑to‑play monetisation model that included in‑game currency and microtransactions.
After about a year, the original mobile version was discontinued, and Konami opted to give the game a second life by bringing it to Apple Arcade in 2021. The transition to the subscription platform prompted a series of significant changes: the in‑game currency system and all microtransactions were stripped out, the user interface received a redesign, and the graphics were upgraded to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.
The decision to retire the title aligns with a broader trend of older digital‑only games being phased out as subscription services evolve and contracts expire. Konami is not alone in this process; several other games that have been part of Apple Arcade or other online platforms are slated for similar fates in the coming months. For example, the popular racing title Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to shut down in September, followed by Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and the vehicular combat game Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the finite lifespan of online‑dependent games, especially those that rely on continuous server support and periodic content updates.
For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or saved data will become inaccessible after September 3. While the game will still be playable offline for a short window after the delisting, the removal of server connectivity will eventually prevent any further interaction with the title. Konami has not announced any compensation or migration path for existing players, so fans are encouraged to enjoy the remaining weeks while the service remains active. The removal of Grimoire of Souls also highlights the shifting business model of the Castlevania franchise.
Historically known for its console and handheld releases, the series has experimented with mobile and streaming formats in recent years. The Grimoire of Souls experiment demonstrated that the classic gothic action‑RPG could be adapted for a subscription‑based, microtransaction‑free environment, but the limited lifespan suggests that the market response may not have met Konami’s expectations for long‑term viability.
Looking ahead, Konami has not disclosed any immediate plans to replace Grimoire of Souls with a new Castlevania title on Apple Arcade or other platforms. However, the company continues to develop and support other entries in the series across consoles and PC, including recent releases that have been well‑received by both critics and fans.
The closure of Grimoire of Souls may free up resources for these other projects, allowing Konami to focus on delivering fresh experiences that align more closely with current player preferences. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will disappear from Apple Arcade on August 20, and its online services will cease on September 3, ending the game’s availability after nearly two years on the subscription platform. Konami has expressed heartfelt thanks to its community, acknowledging the support that kept the game alive for as long as it did. As part of a wave of upcoming shutdowns affecting several popular titles, the removal underscores the impermanent nature of many digital‑only games and serves as a reminder for players to savor their favorite experiences while they remain accessible.