Konami has officially disclosed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline in the near future. The game, which has been available exclusively through Apple Arcade, is slated to be removed from the platform’s catalogue on August 20. Following that removal, the service that powers the game will be fully terminated on September 3, after which players will no longer be able to launch or play the title. In a statement posted on Konami’s official website, the company reflected on the game’s lifespan and the decision to end its service.
"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 wording underscores both the steady community that has engaged with the game over the past years and the company’s choice to conclude its availability. The announcement also included a note of appreciation directed at the player base. "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. This expression of thanks highlights the collaborative nature of modern gaming, where developers often rely on ongoing feedback and financial support from a dedicated audience.
To understand why Grimoire of Souls is being retired now, it helps to look back at its origins. The title first debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play game for iOS and Android devices, initially launching only in the Canadian market. That early version featured a traditional mobile monetisation model that included in‑game currency and microtransactions. After roughly a year, Konami decided to discontinue the original mobile version, likely due to shifting strategic priorities and the challenges of sustaining a free‑to‑play service.
In 2021, Konami revived the game under a new model, bringing it to Apple Arcade as a premium, subscription‑free experience. This re‑launch expanded the game’s reach to a broader range of Apple hardware, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac computers. In the process, the developers stripped out all in‑game purchases, removed the virtual currency system, and overhauled the user interface to better suit the Apple ecosystem. Visual enhancements were also made, with higher‑resolution textures and refined lighting effects that took advantage of the more powerful hardware found in newer Apple devices.
The decision to pull the game from Apple Arcade aligns with a larger trend in the industry: the gradual sunset of older titles as subscription services evolve and new games take priority. Konami is not alone in this approach. Several other games have been announced for retirement in the coming months. For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour, another mobile title that has enjoyed a multi‑year run, is slated to shut down in September.
Following that, the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem service will be discontinued in October, and the Sony‑backed Destruction AllStars will cease operations in November. These closures reflect the finite lifespan of online‑dependent games, especially those that rely on continuous server support and regular content updates.
For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown may feel abrupt. However, the company’s communication suggests that they have provided ample notice, allowing users to finish any ongoing progress, capture screenshots, or otherwise preserve their memories before the servers go dark. It is also worth noting that, because the game was part of Apple Arcade, there were no ongoing subscription fees tied directly to Grimoire of Souls itself; the cost of access was bundled into the broader Arcade subscription.
This model differs from traditional free‑to‑play titles where players might lose purchased virtual goods when a service ends. Looking forward, the removal of Grimoire of Souls may free up development resources for Konami to focus on newer projects or to enhance existing franchises. The Castlevania brand remains one of the company’s most iconic, with recent entries such as Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls helping to keep the series visible on modern platforms. While this particular iteration is ending, the legacy of the franchise continues through other titles, upcoming releases, and potential future collaborations.
In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online functionality shutting down completely on September 3. Konami has thanked its community for their support and highlighted the game’s evolution from a free‑to‑play mobile title to a polished, ad‑free experience on Apple’s subscription service. The closure is part of a broader wave of game retirements across the mobile and subscription gaming landscape, reflecting the ever‑changing nature of digital entertainment.
Players are encouraged to enjoy the remaining days of the game, capture any final moments, and look forward to whatever new experiences Konami and its partners will deliver next.