Konami has made public its plan to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls next month, ending the game’s presence on Apple Arcade and removing any chance for players to access it. The title, which has been available only through Apple’s subscription service since its re‑launch, will be taken off the platform on August 20. After that date the game will remain listed but will become unplayable, and the final shutdown will occur on September 3, at which point the servers will be turned off and the experience will cease to function entirely.
In an official statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan 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 publisher 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 history of Grimoire of Souls stretches back to September 2019, when it first appeared as a free‑to‑play title on iOS and Android devices in Canada.
That initial version relied on a traditional mobile monetisation model, featuring in‑game currency and microtransactions. After roughly a year, the original iteration was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the game in a new form. In September 2021 the title was re‑launched exclusively on Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac computers. For the Apple Arcade version, Konami removed the microtransaction system entirely, opting for a subscription‑based model that aligned with Apple’s ad‑free, all‑access philosophy.
The developers also took the chance to overhaul the user interface, streamline the layout, and enhance the visual fidelity of the game. These updates gave the title a fresh look and feel, making it more appealing to both longtime fans of the Castlevania franchise and newcomers who were discovering the series through Apple’s curated gaming library. Despite these improvements, the game’s lifespan on the platform is now coming to an end. Grimoire of Souls joins a growing list of titles that are slated for shutdown in the coming months.
Notably, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November. The trend reflects a broader industry pattern where subscription‑based or live‑service games are retired once the player base declines or the cost of maintaining servers outweighs the benefits. 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. Konami has not announced any compensation or migration path for existing users, which is typical for many service‑termination notices.
The company’s focus appears to be on thanking its community and closing the chapter cleanly rather than offering refunds or alternative access. The removal of the game from Apple Arcade on August 20 will also affect the subscription catalogue.
Subscribers who were counting on Grimoire of Souls as part of their monthly rotation will see the title disappear from the library, potentially prompting them to explore other offerings within the service. Apple Arcade continues to add new games regularly, but the loss of a well‑known franchise like Castlevania may be felt by fans of classic action‑adventure titles. In summary, Konami’s decision to end Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls marks the conclusion of a six‑year journey that began as a free‑to‑play mobile experiment, transitioned into a premium, ad‑free experience on Apple’s platform, and ultimately reached its planned sunset. The company’s statement underscores appreciation for its player base while acknowledging the practical realities of maintaining an online service.
As the gaming landscape evolves, titles like Grimoire of Souls serve as reminders of how quickly digital experiences can appear and disappear, leaving behind memories and a legacy within the broader Castlevania universe.