Konami has officially confirmed that its Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls experience 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 relaunch, will be removed from the catalog on August 20.
After that date, the game will remain listed but will no longer be downloadable. The final shutdown is scheduled for September 3, at which point the servers will be turned off and the game will become completely unplayable for anyone who still has it installed. In a statement posted on Konami’s website, the company 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 statement 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, but only in the Canadian market. That initial version featured in‑game currency, micro‑transactions, and a layout that catered to mobile play. After roughly a year, Konami discontinued the mobile version, opting to rework the experience for Apple’s ecosystem.
In September 2021, the game was relaunched on iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS as part of Apple Arcade, a subscription‑based platform that removes the need for in‑app purchases. The re‑release eliminated the original micro‑transaction model, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual fidelity to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities. The decision to pull the title now comes as part of a broader trend of games being retired from online services.
Konami’s announcement noted that Grimoire of Souls joins a short list of other popular titles slated for removal in the coming months. For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem shutdown in October, and the closure of Destruction AllStars in November.
These closures reflect the challenges of maintaining live‑service games, especially when subscription platforms evolve and player bases shift. For fans of the Castlevania franchise, Grimoire of Souls offered a unique spin on the series’ classic gothic horror roots.
The game allowed players to collect and command a roster of iconic characters from the broader Konami universe, each equipped with distinct abilities and weaponry. The title’s emphasis on strategic team building, combined with real‑time combat, set it apart from more traditional side‑scrolling Castlevania entries. While the game’s removal means that new players will no longer be able to experience this particular iteration, existing owners can still enjoy the content they have already downloaded until the final server shutdown.
Players who wish to preserve their progress should be aware that once the servers go offline on September 3, all online features—including leaderboards, multiplayer matchmaking, and any cloud‑saved data—will be permanently lost. Konami has not announced any offline mode or single‑player alternative that would allow the game to continue functioning without a connection to its servers.
As a result, anyone who wishes to keep a record of their achievements may want to capture screenshots or record gameplay before the deadline. The broader context of these shutdowns highlights a shifting landscape in the gaming industry.
Subscription services like Apple Arcade, Google Play Pass, and Xbox Game Pass have become key distribution channels, but they also introduce a lifecycle where titles may be added and removed based on contractual agreements, performance metrics, and strategic priorities. For developers, this model can provide a steady revenue stream while reducing reliance on ad‑based monetization, yet it also means that games can disappear from the market without the same level of fanfare that accompanies traditional retail or digital storefront removals.
In summary, Konami’s Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20 and fully shut down on September 3. The company expressed appreciation for the community’s support over the years and acknowledged the game’s evolution from a micro‑transaction‑laden mobile release to a polished, ad‑free experience on Apple’s subscription platform.
As part of a wave of upcoming service terminations, Grimoire of Souls joins other well‑known titles that will soon become inaccessible. Players are encouraged to enjoy the game while it remains available and to archive any personal milestones before the final shutdown date.