Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game's availability on the Apple Arcade platform. The service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which the game will cease to function entirely on September 3, meaning that players will no longer be able to launch or play the title once that date passes. In a statement posted on Konami's corporate website, the company reflected on the game's history and the decision to end support.
"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 wording underscores that, despite a dedicated fan base that kept the game alive for nearly two years on the subscription service, strategic considerations have led the publisher to pull the plug. Konami also took the opportunity to thank its community.
"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," the statement added.
This acknowledgment highlights the collaborative relationship between the developers and the audience, emphasizing that the decision was not taken lightly and that the team appreciates the time and effort players invested in the title. To understand the context, it's helpful to look back at the game's origins. Grimoire of Souls first debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. That early version featured in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a monetisation model typical of many mobile games at the time.
After about a year, Konami decided to discontinue the original mobile version, citing a strategic shift and the desire to re‑imagine the experience. In 2021, the game was resurrected as a premium, ad‑free offering on Apple Arcade, expanding its reach to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
This relaunch came with a series of significant changes: the removal of all in‑game purchases, a redesign of the user interface, and graphical enhancements that took advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities. By eliminating microtransactions, Konami aimed to provide a more seamless, uninterrupted adventure for fans of the Castlevania franchise, aligning the title with Apple Arcade’s subscription‑first philosophy.
The decision to shut down Grimoire of Souls follows a broader pattern within the industry, where several online‑dependent games are scheduled for decommissioning in the coming months. For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is slated to end service in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the challenges of maintaining live‑service games, especially when player numbers dwindle or when the cost of server upkeep outweighs revenue.
For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or saved data will become inaccessible after September 3. Konami has not announced any compensation or data export options, so fans are encouraged to enjoy the game while it remains online and to capture any final screenshots or memories before the servers go dark. The removal also has implications for the broader Castleviana franchise. While Grimoire of Souls offered a unique spin on the series—focusing on a collection of heroes from various timelines battling a shared threat—its departure may signal a shift in Konami’s priorities toward other projects, such as new entries in the mainline series or entirely different IPs.
Nevertheless, the game’s legacy as a bold experiment in free‑to‑play to premium conversion remains noteworthy. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will disappear from the Apple Arcade storefront on August 20, and the online services that power the game will be terminated on September 3.
Konami has expressed sincere thanks to its player base, acknowledging the community’s support over the years. As part of a wave of service shutdowns affecting multiple titles across platforms, this closure underscores the evolving nature of digital game distribution and the finite lifespan of online‑dependent experiences.