Konami has officially confirmed 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 first be removed from the service’s storefront on August 20.
After that date, players will no longer be able to download or reinstall the title. The final shutdown will occur on September 3, at which point the game’s servers will be turned off and the experience will become completely unplayable for anyone who still has it installed. In a statement posted on Konami’s official website, the company reflected on the title’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 developer 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 entered the market in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile game for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada.
That early version featured in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a monetisation model that was later deemed unsuitable for the broader Apple Arcade audience. After a year of operation, the mobile version was discontinued. Konami then re‑imagined the title for Apple Arcade, launching it across iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS. In this revamped edition, the developers stripped out all forms of micro‑transactions and in‑game purchases, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual presentation to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities.
The result was a more polished, ad‑free experience that aligned with the subscription‑based ethos of Apple Arcade. The decision to retire Grimoire of Souls comes amid a broader trend of games reaching the end of their service life on subscription platforms.
Konami is not alone in this regard; several other titles are slated for removal in the coming months. For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September, followed by the Warner Bros. game Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and the Epic Games title Destruction AllStars in November.
These shutdowns reflect the challenges of maintaining online services for games that rely on continuous server support, regular updates, and active player bases. For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or in‑game achievements will become inaccessible after September 3. Players who wish to preserve their memories of the game are encouraged to capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or document their favorite moments before the service ends. While the game will no longer be playable, its legacy lives on as part of Konami’s broader Castlevania franchise, which has spanned decades and includes numerous critically acclaimed entries across consoles, handhelds, and mobile devices.
The removal of the title from Apple Arcade also highlights the evolving nature of subscription‑based gaming ecosystems. Apple Arcade, launched in 2019, promises a curated library of games without ads or in‑app purchases, but the platform must regularly rotate its catalog to make room for new experiences and to manage licensing agreements.
When a game’s performance metrics, player engagement, or contractual terms no longer justify its continued presence, it may be delisted and eventually shut down, as seen with Grimoire of Souls. In summary, Konami’s Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely offline on September 3, ending its availability to players worldwide. The company expressed heartfelt thanks to its community for their support over the years and acknowledged the game’s journey from a region‑locked mobile release to a refined Apple Arcade exclusive. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the retirement of titles like Grimoire of Souls serves as a reminder of the impermanent nature of online services and the importance of preserving gaming experiences while they are still accessible.