Konami has made public its plan to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls next month, ending the game's availability on Apple Arcade. The title, which has been a part of the Apple Arcade catalog since its debut on the platform in September 2021, will be taken down from the service on August 20.
After that date, the game will remain accessible for a short grace period, but on September 3 it will be completely shut down, meaning that players will no longer be able to launch or play the experience. In an official statement posted on Konami's website, the company reflected on the game's history and the decision to end the service.
"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 announcement went on to thank the 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." The original incarnation of Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. That version featured in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a monetization model typical of many mobile games at the time.
After a year of operation, the mobile version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the title in a different form. In 2021, the game was relaunched across the Apple ecosystem—iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS—through the subscription‑based Apple Arcade service. This transition came with a substantial overhaul: the developers stripped out all forms of in‑game purchases, redesigned the user interface, and upgraded the visual fidelity to better match the expectations of console‑quality experiences that Apple Arcade promises.
The reworked version of Grimoire of Souls offered players a more polished, ad‑free adventure set within the iconic Castlevania universe. It allowed fans to collect and command a roster of classic characters from the series, such as Dracula, Alucard, and a host of other legendary monsters and heroes. Gameplay centered around tactical turn‑based battles, deck‑building mechanics, and strategic positioning, providing a fresh take on the franchise's traditional action‑oriented roots.
Over its two‑year run on Apple Arcade, the title garnered a dedicated niche audience who appreciated its blend of familiar lore and innovative mechanics. Despite the positive reception from a segment of the player base, the decision to retire the service reflects broader trends in the mobile and subscription gaming markets. Maintaining online servers, providing regular updates, and supporting cross‑platform compatibility require ongoing financial and technical resources. When a title no longer meets the company's strategic objectives or cost‑benefit thresholds, it is common for publishers to phase it out, especially when the game is tied to a subscription platform where the publisher does not control the distribution channel directly.
Konami is not alone in this wave of closures. The industry has seen several high‑profile games scheduled for shutdown in the coming months. For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is slated to go offline in September, followed by the departure of Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and the termination of Destruction AllStars in November.
These announcements signal a shifting landscape where publishers are consolidating resources around titles that deliver sustained engagement and revenue, while less profitable or niche experiences are being retired. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown may feel abrupt.
Konami has not indicated any compensation or migration path for existing accounts, which is typical for games that operate under a subscription model where the cost of access is bundled with the broader service. Users are encouraged to finish any pending activities before the September 3 deadline, as all progress, unlocked characters, and in‑game achievements will be lost once the servers are decommissioned.
In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will cease all online functionality on September 3, ending the game's lifespan on the platform. Konami expressed heartfelt thanks to its community and highlighted the game's evolution from a free‑to‑play mobile release to a refined, ad‑free title on Apple Arcade. While the closure marks the end of an era for this particular Castlevania spin‑off, it also reflects a broader industry pattern of pruning less viable titles to focus on core franchises and new projects. Players who enjoyed the game are encouraged to cherish the memories and look forward to future releases from Konami that may continue to explore the rich lore of the Castlevania universe.