Konami has made public its plan to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls in the near future. The title, which has been available solely through Apple Arcade, will be taken off the platform’s catalogue on August 20, and the servers that keep the game functional will be shut down on September 3. After that date, players will no longer be able to launch or play the game.
In a statement posted on Konami’s official website, the company reflected on the game’s lifecycle. "Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the title has enjoyed continued support from a dedicated player base," the announcement read. "Nevertheless, we have made the decision to end the service in September." The developer also used the opportunity to thank the community.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of our players for their enthusiastic support over the years," the message continued. "The entire development and operations team deeply appreciates you for being part of this journey." For context, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls originally launched in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile experience for iOS and Android users in Canada. The initial version featured in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a design tailored to touch‑screen devices.
After roughly a year, Konami withdrew the game from the mobile stores, citing a strategic shift. In 2021 the title resurfaced, this time as an Apple Arcade exclusive, and was made available across a broader range of Apple hardware, including iPhone, iPad, iPadOS, tvOS, and Mac. The relaunch was more than a simple port; Konami stripped away all forms of in‑game purchases, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual fidelity to better suit the higher‑resolution displays of modern Apple devices. The move aligned the game with Apple Arcade’s subscription‑based, ad‑free philosophy.
Grimoire of Souls is not the only Konami title facing an imminent shutdown. The gaming industry has seen a wave of service terminations as subscription models evolve and player numbers shift. Within the next few months, several other games are slated to go offline. For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November.
The decision to retire a live‑service game is rarely taken lightly. Maintaining servers, delivering updates, and providing customer support all incur ongoing costs. When a game’s active user base declines or when the strategic focus of a publisher changes, shutting down the service can become the most viable option. In the case of Grimoire of Souls, the removal of microtransactions in the Apple Arcade version meant that revenue from the title was limited to the subscription pool, making its long‑term sustainability more challenging.
Players who have invested time in building their character collections, mastering the game’s combat system, and exploring the gothic world of Castlevania will understandably feel a sense of loss. Konami’s public thank‑you note attempts to acknowledge that emotional attachment, emphasizing the collaborative effort between developers and fans throughout the game’s lifespan. For those who wish to preserve a memory of the experience, screenshots, video recordings, and personal notes can serve as a digital keepsake.
However, once the servers are decommissioned, any online‑only features—such as leaderboards, multiplayer matchmaking, and cloud‑saved progress—will become inaccessible. Looking ahead, Konami has hinted at continued investment in the broader Castlevania franchise, with new titles and updates announced for other platforms.
While Grimoire of Souls will soon disappear from Apple Arcade, the company’s commitment to the series suggests that fans can anticipate fresh experiences in the future, perhaps with a different business model that better aligns with evolving market expectations. In summary, the timeline for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls is clear: removal from the Apple Arcade storefront on August 20, followed by a complete server shutdown on September 3. After that point, the game will no longer be playable.
Konami’s statement thanks the community for its support and explains the rationale behind the termination. This shutdown is part of a broader trend of service‑based games concluding their runs, as seen with upcoming closures of Mario Kart Tour, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, and Destruction AllStars. Players are encouraged to cherish their memories of Grimoire of Souls and stay tuned for future Castlevania projects that may emerge on other platforms.