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 Konami’s corporate website, the company reflected on the game’s lifespan since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021.
"Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the notice read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The developer also extended a heartfelt thank‑you to 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 continued. To understand why this shutdown matters, it helps to look back at the game’s origins.
Grimoire of Souls originally arrived in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, initially released only in Canada. That early version featured in‑game currency, micro‑transactions, and a monetisation model typical of mobile games at the time. After roughly a year, the original mobile version was discontinued, prompting Konami to rethink its approach.
In 2021, the studio revived the title as an Apple Arcade exclusive, expanding its availability to a broader range of Apple hardware, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac computers. This relaunch came with a substantial overhaul: the in‑game currency and micro‑transaction mechanics were stripped out, the user interface received a redesign, and the graphics were upgraded to take advantage of Apple’s latest hardware capabilities.
By removing the pay‑to‑win elements, Konami aimed to provide a more pure, arcade‑style experience that aligned with Apple Arcade’s subscription‑based, ad‑free philosophy. The decision to retire the game now follows a pattern of several titles slated for discontinuation across various platforms.
For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to shut down in September, while Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will follow in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars is scheduled for November. These closures illustrate a broader industry trend where publishers are consolidating resources, ending support for games with dwindling player bases, or shifting focus toward newer projects. For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming removal means that any progress, unlocked characters, or saved data will be lost after September 3.
Players who wish to preserve memories of the game are encouraged to capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or take note of their favorite strategies before the deadline. While the game will no longer be playable, its legacy lives on through the community discussions, fan art, and the impact it had on the mobile and console crossover market. The shutdown also raises questions about the longevity of subscription‑based game services.
Apple Arcade, like other platforms such as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Now, curates a rotating library of titles that can appear and disappear based on licensing agreements, developer decisions, and market performance. Users who subscribe to these services must stay informed about the availability windows of their favorite games, especially those that are exclusive to the platform and do not have a standalone purchase option. In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the final chapter for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade.
The game will be delisted from the storefront on August 20, and will become completely offline on September 3, after which it will no longer be accessible. The company thanked its community for years of support, and the broader context of multiple upcoming game closures underscores the evolving nature of digital game distribution. Players are advised to enjoy the remaining weeks of gameplay, capture any final moments they wish to keep, and look forward to whatever new experiences Konami and other developers will bring to the gaming landscape in the future.