Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls 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 game will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning players will no longer be able to launch or play it.
In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan and the decision to end its service. "Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the title has enjoyed a steady stream of support from a dedicated player base," the announcement read. "Nevertheless, after careful consideration, we have chosen to discontinue the service in September." The developer also took the opportunity to thank the community.
"We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to every player who has shown enthusiasm and loyalty over the years," the message continued. "The entire development and operations team is deeply grateful for your involvement in this journey." For context, Grimoire of Souls originally launched in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile game for iOS and Android, initially available only in Canada. That early version featured in‑game currency and microtransactions, typical of many mobile titles at the time.
After a year of operation, the original version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the experience through Apple Arcade. In September 2021, the game was re‑released across Apple’s ecosystem—including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac—under the subscription‑based Arcade service. The Apple Arcade iteration brought several notable changes.
Konami eliminated all forms of in‑game purchases, removing the virtual currency and microtransaction model that had characterized the initial launch. The user interface received a redesign, and the visual fidelity was upgraded to take advantage of the higher‑resolution displays available on Apple’s hardware. These adjustments were intended to align the game with the premium, ad‑free experience that Apple Arcade promises its subscribers.
Grimoire of Souls joins a growing list of titles slated for shutdown in the near future. Among them, the popular racing game Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and the vehicular combat title Destruction AllStars in November.
The wave of closures reflects a broader industry trend where publishers periodically retire older or less profitable services, often to reallocate resources toward newer projects or to streamline their portfolio. The decision to end Grimoire of Souls’ service may be disappointing for fans who have invested time in exploring its gothic world and mastering its combat mechanics. The game offered a unique blend of classic Castlevania aesthetics with a modern, multiplayer‑focused design, allowing players to assemble teams of iconic characters from the franchise and battle against each other in real‑time. Its removal underscores the challenges of maintaining live‑service games, especially on subscription platforms where the cost of ongoing server upkeep must be justified by active user engagement.
Players who wish to preserve their memories of the game are encouraged to capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or keep any personal notes about their favorite strategies and character builds before the shutdown date. While the servers will be decommissioned, any content saved locally on a device will remain, though the online features—such as matchmaking, leaderboards, and seasonal events—will no longer function.
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 gratitude to its community and highlighted the evolution of the game from its original free‑to‑play mobile incarnation to a refined, ad‑free experience on Apple’s subscription service. This shutdown is part of a broader series of game retirements slated for the coming months, reflecting the dynamic nature of the gaming market and the ongoing need for publishers to adapt their offerings.