Konami has officially disclosed that its Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls title will be taken offline next month, marking the end of its availability on Apple Arcade. The game, which has been a part of the Apple Arcade catalog since its debut on the platform in September 2021, will be removed from the service on August 20. After that date, players will no longer be able to download or purchase the title. Moreover, the online servers that support the game's multiplayer and cloud‑save features will be shut down completely on September 3, rendering the game unplayable in any form.
In a statement posted on Konami’s official website, the company 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 announcement read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The developers 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." To understand why this shutdown matters, it helps to look back at the game’s origins. Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, initially released only in Canada. That early version featured in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a monetisation model typical of mobile games at the time. After a year of operation, the original mobile version was discontinued.
Konami then re‑imagined the title for Apple Arcade, launching it across iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS in September 2021. The re‑release eliminated the microtransaction system entirely, removed the in‑game currency, and introduced a more polished visual style along with refined user interfaces.
These changes aligned the game with Apple Arcade’s subscription‑based, ad‑free philosophy, offering players a complete experience without additional purchases. Grimoire of Souls is a spin‑off of the long‑standing Castlevian franchise, allowing players to collect and command a roster of classic characters from the series in strategic, turn‑based battles.
The game’s appeal lay in its blend of familiar Castlevania lore with a collectible‑card‑style mechanic, inviting both veterans of the series and newcomers to explore its gothic universe. Over its two‑year run on Apple Arcade, the title amassed a dedicated fan base that appreciated its deep combat system, extensive character variety, and the convenience of playing across multiple Apple devices. The decision to retire the game comes as part of a broader trend of titles being phased out from subscription services as contracts expire or strategic priorities shift. Konami has indicated that Grimoire of Souls is just one of several games slated for removal in the coming months.
For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to shut down in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the evolving nature of live‑service games, where ongoing server costs, licensing agreements, and player engagement metrics influence a publisher’s decision to continue supporting a title. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means they should finish any ongoing progress before the September 3 deadline.
After that point, the game’s online components—including leaderboards, multiplayer matches, and cloud‑saved data—will cease to function. Offline play will also be impossible because the title relies on server authentication to launch. Konami has not announced any compensation or alternative options for existing players, so the community is encouraged to savor the remaining days of the service. From a broader industry perspective, the lifecycle of Grimoire of Souls illustrates the challenges faced by developers operating within subscription ecosystems.
While Apple Arcade offers a platform free from the pressures of in‑app purchases, it also imposes a finite window of visibility and revenue. Titles must maintain a steady stream of active users to justify continued hosting costs, and when those numbers dip, publishers may opt to allocate resources elsewhere. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its servers permanently shut down on September 3.
Konami’s statement thanks the player community for their support and acknowledges the game’s two‑year run on the service. The removal is part of a larger wave of game closures across major subscription platforms, underscoring the dynamic nature of modern gaming distribution models. Players are advised to enjoy the remaining content while they can, as the title will no longer be accessible after the specified dates.