Konami has officially confirmed 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 decision means that the game will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, and the servers that support its online functionality will be shut down on September 3.
From that point forward, players will no longer be able to launch or play the title. In a brief statement posted on its corporate website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan and the reasons behind the shutdown.
"Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the company wrote. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The wording underscores that while the title enjoyed a dedicated community for nearly two years on the subscription platform, the decision to end support was ultimately a strategic one. The statement also included a note of appreciation aimed at the player base.
"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 announcement read.
This sentiment highlights Konami’s acknowledgment of the fans who invested time and enthusiasm into the game, especially given its unique place as a free-to-play, action‑RPG‑style entry in the long‑running Castlevania franchise. To understand the context of this shutdown, it helps to trace the game’s origins. Grimoire of Souls first debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title available on iOS and Android devices, but only in the Canadian market. The initial launch was experimental, allowing Konami to test the concept of a mobile‑focused Castlevania experience that combined classic monster‑hunting mechanics with a collectible card system.
After roughly a year, the original mobile version was discontinued, a move that surprised many early adopters. In 2021, Konami revived the project by bringing it to Apple Arcade, a subscription‑based service that offers a curated library of games across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. This re‑release was more than a simple port; the development team stripped away the in‑game currency and microtransaction elements that had defined the earlier free‑to‑play model.
By removing these monetization features, Konova aimed to align the title with Apple Arcade’s philosophy of providing premium, ad‑free experiences without additional purchases. Alongside the removal of microtransactions, the game received a visual overhaul, with updated character models, refined UI layouts, and enhanced graphics that took advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities.
The re‑launch was generally well‑received, with players praising the smoother performance and the more straightforward progression system. However, the game’s niche appeal—combining the lore‑heavy Castlevania universe with a collectible‑card twist—meant that its audience remained relatively small compared to blockbuster titles on the platform. Grimoire of Souls is not the only title slated for termination in the near future. Konami’s announcement noted that several other games are also approaching the end of their service lives.
Mario Kart Tour, a mobile adaptation of Nintendo’s iconic racing franchise, is scheduled to shut down in September. Following that, the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will cease operations in October, and Destruction AllStars, a multiplayer battle arena from Sony Interactive Entertainment, will be taken offline in November. These upcoming closures reflect a broader trend in the mobile and subscription‑based gaming market, where publishers periodically retire titles that no longer meet financial or strategic goals. For players who still have progress saved in Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown means that all data will become inaccessible after September 3.
Konami has not announced any compensation or data migration options, so fans are encouraged to finish any remaining in‑game activities before the deadline. The removal from Apple Arcade on August 20 will also mean that new users will no longer be able to download the game, effectively sealing the title’s fate as a closed‑chapter in the Castlevania saga.
In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will disappear from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online services terminating on September 3. The game’s journey—from a limited‑region mobile release in 2019, through a microtransaction‑free revival on Apple Arcade in 2021, to its eventual closure—illustrates both the opportunities and challenges of maintaining niche titles in a rapidly evolving digital distribution landscape.
Konami’s farewell message underscores their appreciation for the community that supported the game, even as they move on to focus resources on new projects and existing franchises.