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 remove the game from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, and a few weeks later, on September 3, the servers that support the title will be shut down entirely, rendering the game unplayable for anyone who has not already downloaded it. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan and the decision to end support. "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 company 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." To understand why this shutdown matters, it helps 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 devices, initially released only in Canada. That early version featured typical mobile‑game mechanics, including in‑game currency and microtransactions, which allowed players to purchase upgrades and cosmetic items. After about a year, the original mobile version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the property in a different format.
In September 2021, the game was relaunched exclusively on Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac users. This re‑release came with a substantial overhaul: the developers stripped out the microtransaction system, removing any form of purchasable in‑game currency, and they introduced a more polished visual style with refined graphics and updated user interfaces. The goal was to provide a premium, ad‑free experience that aligned with Apple Arcade’s subscription model, which promises no extra purchases or ads.
The decision to finally retire the title aligns with a broader trend in the industry where older online‑dependent games are phased out as their player bases dwindle and the cost of maintaining server infrastructure outweighs the benefits. Grimoire of Souls is not alone in this wave.
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 shut down in September, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will follow in October, and Destruction AllStars is set to go offline in November. For players who have yet to experience Grimoire of Souls, the window is now limited. Those who wish to keep a copy must download the game before the August 20 delisting; after that date, new users will be unable to add it to their Apple Arcade library.
Even those who have already downloaded the game will lose access once the September 3 server shutdown occurs, as the title relies on online connectivity for core gameplay functions, including multiplayer battles and progression tracking. The shutdown also raises questions about preservation and the future of legacy games that depend on online services.
While some developers choose to release offline patches or open-source versions of their code, Konami has not announced any such plans for Grimoire of Souls. As a result, the title will likely become inaccessible to future players, joining a growing list of digital games that exist only in memory and archived footage. In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the end of an eight‑year journey for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, from its modest beginnings as a region‑locked mobile free‑to‑play title to its evolution into a polished, subscription‑based experience on Apple Arcade.
The company’s gratitude toward its community underscores the emotional connection many players felt with the game, even as the practical realities of server costs and shifting market priorities dictate its removal. Fans are encouraged to download the game before the August 20 deadline and to savor the remaining days of gameplay before the final shutdown on September 3.