Konami has officially disclosed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game's availability on the Apple Arcade platform. The service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which the game will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning that players will no longer be able to launch or play the title once that date passes. In a statement posted on Konami's official website, the company reflected on the game's history and its 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 wording underscores that, despite a steady community of fans over the past two years, Konami has concluded that the best course of action is to discontinue the title. The statement also included a note of appreciation for 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 company added. This expression of thanks is a common practice when online services are retired, acknowledging the time and effort that players have invested in the game.
To understand the context of this shutdown, it helps to look back at the game's origins. Grimoire of Souls first debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, initially launching only in Canada. The original version featured in‑game currency and microtransactions, a typical monetisation model for mobile games at the time. After roughly a year of operation, the mobile version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the title in a different format.
In September 2021, the game was relaunched as an Apple Arcade exclusive, expanding its reach to a broader range of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac. This re‑release came with a series of significant changes: the in‑game currency system and microtransactions were removed entirely, aligning the game with Apple Arcade's subscription‑based, ad‑free philosophy. Additionally, Konami overhauled the user interface, refined level layouts, and upgraded the visual fidelity to take advantage of newer hardware capabilities. These improvements were intended to give both new and returning players a fresh experience while preserving the core Castlevania gameplay that fans enjoy.
Despite these efforts, the game now joins a growing list of titles that are being retired across various platforms. The broader trend reflects the challenges of maintaining online services for niche or legacy games, especially when the cost of server upkeep and ongoing support outweighs the active player base. In the same announcement cycle, Konami also revealed that other games will follow a similar fate in the coming months. Mario Kart Tour, another popular mobile title, is slated to shut down in September.
This will be followed by Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, which is scheduled for termination in October, and Destruction AllStars, which will cease operations in November. Each of these closures underscores a strategic shift toward consolidating resources around newer projects and platforms. For players who have invested time in Castlevania: 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 data migration options, which is typical for service‑based closures where the game cannot be transferred to a different platform.
Players are encouraged to finish any remaining activities before the final offline date if they wish to preserve their in‑game achievements. The removal of the game from Apple Arcade on August 20 also means that new users will no longer be able to discover or download the title from the storefront. Existing owners will retain the ability to launch the game until the final shutdown, but after September 3 the application will likely display an error message indicating that the service is no longer available.
In summary, Konami's decision to retire Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls reflects both the natural lifecycle of subscription‑based mobile titles and the company's broader strategy to streamline its portfolio. While fans of the series may be disappointed to see another Castlevania entry disappear, the company’s acknowledgment of player support and its transparent timeline provide a clear roadmap for those who wish to experience the game before it goes offline. The upcoming delisting and shutdown serve as a reminder of the transient nature of digital-only games and the importance of enjoying them while they remain accessible.