Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will cease operations next month. The game, which has been available solely through Apple Arcade, will be taken off the subscription platform on August 20, and the servers that keep it running will be shut down on September 3, after which the title will no longer be playable by anyone. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami explained the decision.
"Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the notice read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The publisher 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 message added. To understand the context, it helps to look back at the game’s origins.
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 early version relied on in‑game currency and microtransactions, a common model for mobile games at the time.
After roughly a year, the original version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the project in a different format. In September 2021, the game was relaunched as an Apple Arcade exclusive, expanding its availability to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac devices. With the transition to Apple’s subscription service, Konami removed all forms of micro‑transactions and in‑game purchases, opting instead for a pure, ad‑free experience. The re‑release also featured a visual overhaul, with updated character models, refined level layouts, and enhanced graphics that took advantage of the more powerful hardware found in modern Apple devices.
The decision to pull the title from Apple Arcade follows a broader trend of games reaching the end of their service life. Maintaining online infrastructure—servers, matchmaking, regular updates—requires ongoing investment, and when a game’s active player base dwindles, publishers often opt to allocate resources elsewhere. Grimoire of Souls is not alone in this wave; other titles are slated for similar shutdowns in the coming months.
For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to go offline in September, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will follow in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars is set to be discontinued in November. Fans who have enjoyed Grimoire of Souls can still cherish the memories of its unique blend of classic Castlevania aesthetics with a collectible‑card‑style progression system. The game allowed players to assemble a roster of iconic vampires, werewolves, and other gothic creatures, each represented by a card that could be upgraded and customized. Battles took place on a grid‑based board where strategic placement and timing were crucial, offering a fresh take on the franchise’s traditional side‑scrolling action.
While the shutdown means that the multiplayer components and any online features will cease to function, players who have saved their progress locally may still be able to view their collections and replay solo content, depending on how the final patch is implemented. Konami has not yet detailed whether any offline mode will remain accessible after the server closure. The company’s communication emphasizes appreciation for the community, suggesting that the decision was not taken lightly. In the broader industry, such closures are often met with mixed reactions: some users understand the business realities, while others feel a sense of loss, especially when a beloved title becomes unplayable.
Konami’s approach—providing clear dates, a public statement, and a thank‑you note—helps to mitigate frustration and gives players a definitive timeline to wrap up any ongoing activities. For those interested in preserving the legacy of Grimoire of Souls, screenshots, gameplay videos, and personal anecdotes can serve as a digital archive of the experience.
Community forums and fan sites may also compile guides, strategies, and art that capture the spirit of the game long after its servers have been turned off. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online services ending on September 3.
The move marks the conclusion of a four‑year journey that began as a region‑locked mobile title, evolved into a polished Apple Arcade exclusive, and ultimately reached the end of its operational lifespan. Konami thanks its supporters and joins a list of developers winding down older online games as the industry continues to shift toward new projects and platforms.