Konami has officially confirmed that its Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls experience will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game’s presence on Apple Arcade. The service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which the title will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning players will no longer be able to launch or play the game in any capacity. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifecycle 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 title available on iOS and Android in Canada.
That early version featured in‑game currency, micro‑transactions, and a design tailored for short, on‑the‑go sessions. After a year of operation, the mobile version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to re‑imagine the game for a different audience.
In September 2021, the title resurfaced as an exclusive offering on Apple Arcade, a subscription‑based platform that promises ad‑free, no‑micro‑transaction experiences. For the Apple Arcade launch, Konami stripped away the original game’s virtual currency system and any form of in‑app purchases, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual presentation to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
The re‑release was well‑received by fans of the Castlevania franchise, who appreciated the chance to explore a sprawling, action‑RPG style adventure set within the series’ gothic universe. Players could collect and upgrade a roster of classic characters such as Simon Belmont, Alucard, and Maria Renard, each equipped with unique abilities and skill trees.
The game’s progression system encouraged experimentation, while the inclusion of cooperative multiplayer allowed friends to team up and tackle challenging dungeons together. Over the course of its two‑year run on Apple Arcade, Grimoire of Souls amassed a dedicated player base that regularly engaged with seasonal events, limited‑time challenges, and community‑driven leaderboards. Despite this loyal following, Konami has indicated that maintaining the online infrastructure required to keep the game operational is no longer viable.
The decision aligns with a broader trend of older subscription‑based titles being retired as companies streamline their service offerings. In fact, Grimoire of Souls joins a short list of games slated for removal in the coming months. Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem shutdown in October, and the closure of Destruction AllStars in November. Each of these closures reflects a strategic shift toward newer projects and the reallocation of server resources.
For players who have not yet had a chance to finish their progress, Konami advises that all saved data will become inaccessible after the September 3 shutdown. There is no announced plan to provide a standalone offline version or a downloadable archive of the game. As a result, fans who wish to preserve their memories may consider recording gameplay footage or capturing screenshots before the final date. The removal of Grimoire of Souls also highlights the evolving nature of the Apple Arcade ecosystem.
While the platform launched with a promise of high‑quality, curated experiences free from the monetization models common on mobile, the lifecycle of each title remains subject to the publisher’s business decisions. Some titles have enjoyed multi‑year runs, while others, like Grimoire of Souls, have had shorter tenures despite positive reception. In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the end of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade.
The game will be delisted on August 20, and all online services will be terminated on September 3, after which it will no longer be playable. The publisher expressed sincere thanks to its community for their support over the years, acknowledging the role players had in shaping the experience.
As the industry continues to shift toward newer titles and platforms, the departure of Grimoire of Souls serves as a reminder of the impermanent nature of digital games, especially those that rely on ongoing server maintenance and subscription models.