Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, bringing an end to the game's availability on Apple Arcade. The removal process will occur in two stages: first, the game will be delisted from the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, meaning new users will no longer be able to download it.
Then, on September 3, the service will be completely shut down, rendering the game unplayable for everyone, even those who previously downloaded it. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the title’s lifespan and the decision to discontinue it. "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." Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile game for iOS and Android, initially available only in Canada. After a year of operation, the original version was discontinued, but Konami later revived the project as an exclusive title for Apple Arcade.
The relaunched version arrived on iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS, and it was stripped of its original in‑game currency and micro‑transaction model. In addition to removing the pay‑to‑win elements, the development team overhauled the user interface, refreshed the visual presentation, and improved overall performance to better suit the Apple ecosystem. The decision to retire Grimoire of Souls comes as part of a broader wave of closures affecting several mobile and console titles. Mario Kart Tour, another popular subscription‑based game, is slated to shut down in September.
Following that, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will be taken offline in October, and Destruction AllStars is scheduled for November. These coordinated shutdowns suggest a strategic shift by publishers toward consolidating resources and focusing on newer projects. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming deadline means they should finish any remaining activities before September 3, as progress will no longer be saved after that date. Because the game will no longer be reachable through Apple Arcade after August 20, new players will be unable to start fresh experiences, and existing players will lose access once the servers are turned off.
The original free‑to‑play launch of Grimoire of Souls was notable for its ambitious attempt to blend the classic Castlevania atmosphere with a collectible‑driven, card‑based combat system. Players could gather a roster of iconic characters from the series, each represented as a digital card, and then assemble squads to tackle a variety of challenges. While the initial version relied heavily on micro‑transactions to accelerate progress, the Apple Arcade iteration removed that monetisation layer, positioning the game as a fully unlocked experience for subscribers. Critics and fans praised the visual overhaul that accompanied the Apple Arcade release.
The graphics were refined to take advantage of Apple’s high‑resolution displays, and the game’s soundtrack was enhanced with richer, orchestral arrangements that echoed the gothic tone of the broader Castlevania franchise. The redesign also introduced smoother animations and more intuitive navigation, making it easier for newcomers to grasp the card‑battle mechanics. Despite these improvements, the game’s niche appeal and the competitive landscape of mobile gaming likely contributed to its eventual sunset. Maintaining online services, server infrastructure, and ongoing updates requires a steady revenue stream, and without the micro‑transaction model that originally funded its development, the title may have struggled to meet those financial expectations over the long term.
Konami’s announcement underscores a common trend in the industry: subscription‑based platforms such as Apple Arcade provide a valuable launchpad for games, but they also come with finite lifespans. When a title no longer aligns with a publisher’s strategic priorities or fails to attract a sustainable player base, the service may be discontinued, and the game removed from the catalog.
Players who wish to preserve memories of Grimoire of Souls can capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or keep any physical collectibles they may have acquired. However, once the servers are deactivated, all online features—including leaderboards, multiplayer matchmaking, and any cloud‑saved progress—will cease to function. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, 2024, and its online services will be terminated on September 3, 2024.
Konami expressed sincere thanks to the community for their support throughout the game’s lifecycle. This shutdown is part of a larger series of closures affecting several subscription‑based titles, reflecting the evolving priorities of game publishers in a rapidly changing market.