Konami has officially confirmed that its Apple Arcade title, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, will cease to be available next month. The game will be taken off the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, and the online services that keep it functional will be terminated on September 3, after which players will no longer be able to launch or play the title. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s history 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 developer also took the opportunity to thank its 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," the notice added. To understand the context, it helps to look back at the origins of Grimoire of Souls.
The title first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile experience for iOS and Android users in Canada. That initial version relied on in‑game currency and micro‑transactions, a common monetisation model for mobile games at the time. After roughly a year, Konami pulled the original release from the stores, citing a desire to re‑evaluate the game's direction.
In September 2021, the game was resurrected as an exclusive for Apple Arcade, a subscription‑based platform that promises ad‑free, no‑micro‑transaction experiences. With the relaunch, Konami stripped out the virtual currency system entirely, removed all forms of in‑app purchases, and overhauled the user interface.
Visual upgrades were also implemented, delivering sharper graphics and smoother animations that better matched the expectations of console‑quality titles now available on Apple devices. Grimoire of Souls lets players assume the role of a newly created vampire hunter, tasked with rescuing iconic Castlevania heroes who have been trapped in a mysterious realm known as the Grimoire.
The game blends elements of action‑RPG combat with a collectible card system, allowing users to summon classic characters such as Simon Belmont, Alucard, and even lesser‑known figures from the franchise. Each character comes with unique abilities and can be upgraded through experience points earned in battles across a series of procedurally generated dungeons.
The decision to shut down the service aligns with a broader trend in the industry where older online‑dependent titles are retired as player bases dwindle and maintenance costs rise. Konami is not alone in this process; several other games on Apple Arcade and other platforms have announced similar timelines. For example, the popular racing title Mario Kart Tour is slated to end its service in September, followed by Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Destruction AllStars in November.
These closures reflect the natural lifecycle of subscription‑based games that rely on continuous server support and regular content updates. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that all progress, unlocked characters, and any achievements earned will become inaccessible after September 3. Since the game no longer supports offline play—its core mechanics depend on server‑side validation and matchmaking—there is no way to preserve a local copy for future enjoyment. Konami has not announced any compensation or migration plan for affected users, which is typical for titles that are removed from subscription services.
Looking ahead, the removal of Grimoire of Souls may free up development resources for Konami to focus on newer projects within the Castlevania franchise or other IPs. The company has hinted at upcoming releases that will leverage modern hardware capabilities, potentially bringing fresh experiences to both console and mobile audiences. While the end of Grimoire of Souls marks the conclusion of a specific chapter, the legacy of the Castlevania series continues to evolve, with fans eagerly awaiting future announcements. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, and its online services will be fully terminated on September 3, rendering the game unplayable.
Konami expressed appreciation for its community, recalled the game's evolution from a micro‑transaction‑laden mobile title to a polished Apple Arcade exclusive, and placed the shutdown within the context of a wider wave of service terminations affecting several other games in the coming months. Players should take note of the dates and understand that after the September deadline, the title will no longer be accessible in any form.