Konami has officially disclosed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game’s presence on Apple Arcade. The service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which the game will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning that players will no longer be able to launch or play the title once that date passes. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifecycle and the decision to end its service.
The announcement read, “Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players. However, we have decided to terminate the service in September.” The wording underscores that while the game enjoyed a solid player base for nearly two years on the platform, the company has opted to discontinue it for reasons that were not detailed beyond the operational decision. The statement also included a note of appreciation directed at the community: “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.” This sentiment highlights the typical practice of game publishers acknowledging the dedication of their fan base when a title is retired. To understand the context of this shutdown, it helps to look back at the game’s origins.
Castlevian: Grimoire of Souls first debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title available on iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. The original version featured in‑game currency and microtransaction mechanics that were common for mobile games at the time.
After roughly a year on the market, the initial iteration was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the experience in a different format. In September 2021, the title was relaunched as an exclusive for Apple Arcade, a subscription‑based gaming service that promises ad‑free, no‑microtransaction experiences. With the transition to Apple Arcade, Konami removed the in‑game currency system and any form of microtransactions, effectively converting the game into a pure, premium experience for subscribers. Alongside the removal of the monetisation elements, the development team also took the chance to overhaul the user interface, refine level layouts, and enhance the visual fidelity of the game.
The graphics received a noticeable upgrade, making better use of the capabilities of Apple’s hardware across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac devices. The decision to shut down Grimoire of Souls comes as part of a broader trend of games leaving online services as part of their lifecycle. Konami has indicated that several other titles are slated for similar fates in the coming months.
For example, the popular racing game Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September. Following that, the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem title will be retired in October, and Destruction AllStars is set to go offline in November. This pattern suggests a strategic winding down of certain live‑service games, possibly to reallocate resources toward newer projects or to streamline the company’s portfolio.
For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or achievements stored on the game’s servers will become inaccessible after September 3. Since the game relied on online connectivity for saving data, there is no offline mode or local save that can preserve the experience. Players are encouraged to finish any pending activities before the cutoff date if they wish to retain a sense of completion. The broader implications for the Apple Arcade ecosystem are also worth noting.
Apple Arcade positions itself as a library of high‑quality, curated games that do not rely on ads or in‑app purchases. However, the service also faces the challenge of maintaining a rotating catalog where some titles inevitably come and go.
When a game is delisted, it disappears from the subscription’s library, meaning new subscribers will never have the chance to try it, and existing subscribers lose access after the shutdown. This dynamic can affect subscriber perception, especially for titles that have cultivated dedicated communities. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely unplayable on September 3, as confirmed by Konami.
The company expressed thanks to its player base and highlighted the game’s evolution from a free‑to‑play mobile title to a premium, ad‑free experience on Apple Arcade. The shutdown is part of a series of upcoming service terminations that include Mario Kart Tour, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, and Destruction AllStars. Players are advised to wrap up any ongoing gameplay before the final shutdown date, as all online data will be lost thereafter.