Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will cease operations next month. The game, which has been available exclusively through Apple Arcade, is slated to be removed from the subscription catalog on August 20. Following that removal, the service that powers the game will be terminated on September 3, after which players will no longer be able to launch or play the title. In a statement posted on the company's website, Konami reflected on the game's history and its decision to end support.
"Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, Grimoire of Souls has enjoyed a dedicated player base and ongoing updates," the announcement read. "Nevertheless, after careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue the service in September." The developer also took the opportunity to thank its community. "We are deeply grateful for the enthusiasm and loyalty shown by our players over the years," the message continued. "The entire development and operations team extends its sincere appreciation for having you along for this adventure." To understand why this shutdown matters, it helps to look back at the game's origins.
Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play experience for iOS and Android users in Canada. That initial version featured in‑game currency, micro‑transactions, and a monetization model common to many mobile titles at the time. However, after roughly a year, Konami withdrew the game from the mobile stores, citing strategic realignment.
In 2021, the company revived the title as part of Apple Arcade, a subscription‑based platform that promises an ad‑free, no‑micro‑transaction gaming environment. For the relaunch, Konami stripped away all purchasable currency and removed any remaining micro‑transaction options. The team also took the chance to overhaul the user interface, polish the visual presentation, and enhance overall performance across Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac.
These changes were well‑received by fans who appreciated a classic Castlevania‑style action‑RPG without the pressure of in‑app purchases. The game allowed players to collect and command a roster of iconic characters from the franchise, such as Simon Belmont, Alucard, and others, each with unique abilities and skill trees. Multiplayer co‑op modes let friends team up to tackle dungeons and boss encounters, while a single‑player campaign offered a narrative that wove together familiar lore and new story beats.
Despite the positive reception, maintaining a live service on a subscription platform presents ongoing costs, from server upkeep to regular content updates and customer support. As the title approached its third anniversary on Apple Arcade, Konami evaluated its portfolio and determined that continuing to allocate resources to Grimoire of Souls was no longer viable.
The decision aligns with a broader trend in the industry where several games are being retired as companies streamline their offerings. Grimoire of Souls joins a short list of titles slated for removal in the coming months.
Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour, another mobile racing game with a substantial fan base, is set to shut down in September. Following that, Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will be discontinued in October, and Sony Interactive’s Destruction AllStars is scheduled to go offline in November. These closures reflect shifting priorities among publishers, especially as they balance the costs of maintaining online infrastructures against the revenue generated by older or niche titles. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the impending shutdown means they should finish any ongoing progress before the September 3 deadline.
Once the servers are deactivated, all online features—including multiplayer matchmaking, leaderboards, and cloud‑saved data—will become inaccessible. Offline play, if any, will also be disabled, as the game relies on server authentication to verify ownership through Apple Arcade. In summary, Konami’s Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20 and fully taken offline on September 3. The company expressed gratitude to its community and highlighted the evolution of the game from a monetized mobile release to a premium, ad‑free experience on Apple’s subscription service.
While the closure marks the end of an era for fans of this particular Castlevania spin‑off, it also underscores the broader challenges of sustaining live‑service games in a competitive market. Players are encouraged to savor the remaining days of gameplay and cherish the memories created within the haunted halls of Grimoire of Souls.