Konami has officially confirmed that its Apple Arcade‑only title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month. The company stated that the game will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, and that the servers supporting the title will be shut down on September 3, after which the game will no longer be playable in any form. In a brief statement posted on Konami’s website, the publisher reflected on the title’s history 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 notice read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The announcement also included a note of thanks to the 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.
Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, but only in the Canadian market. After a year of operation, Konami pulled the game from those platforms and later re‑introduced it as a premium, subscription‑based experience on Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac devices. The relaunch removed all in‑game currency and micro‑transaction mechanics, overhauled the user interface, and delivered a visual upgrade that brought the classic Castlevania aesthetic into a more polished, modern presentation. The decision to retire the game comes amid a broader trend of online‑dependent titles reaching the end of their lifecycle.
Konami is not alone in this wave; several other high‑profile games are slated for shutdown in the coming months. Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations 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 those that rely on continuous server support and regular content updates. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the timeline is clear.
After August 20, the title will no longer appear in the Apple Arcade library, meaning new users will be unable to download it. Between that date and September 3, existing owners can still launch the game, but once the server shutdown occurs, any online functionality—including multiplayer modes, leaderboards, and cloud‑saved progress—will become inaccessible.
Offline play, if any, will also be disabled, effectively rendering the application unusable. Konami’s statement did not provide specific reasons for the shutdown beyond a general reference to the service’s termination. Industry observers suggest that factors such as declining active user numbers, the cost of server maintenance, and strategic shifts toward newer projects often drive these decisions. The removal of micro‑transactions in the Apple Arcade version may have also limited the title’s revenue stream, making long‑term support less viable.
Fans of the Castlevania franchise have expressed mixed reactions. While some lament the loss of a unique entry that blended classic side‑scrolling combat with modern RPG elements, others appreciate the opportunity to revisit the game before it disappears entirely. Community forums have seen a flurry of nostalgia‑filled posts, tips for completing remaining challenges, and requests for Konami to preserve the experience in some archival form.
Looking ahead, Konami has not announced any direct replacements for Grimoire of Souls within the Apple Arcade lineup. However, the company continues to develop new titles across its portfolio, including upcoming entries in the Metal Gear and Silent Hill series, as well as fresh mobile projects that may adopt a different monetization model. Players who enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and vampire‑hunting action of Grimoire of Souls are encouraged to explore other Castlevania releases that remain available on consoles and PC, such as the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and the recent remake, Castlevania: Requiem. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online services fully terminated on September 3.
Konami thanked its community for the support shown over the years, and the closure aligns with a larger pattern of online‑dependent games ending their service windows in 2024. Players should make any final in‑game progress before the shutdown date, and consider revisiting other titles in the Castlevania series to continue enjoying the franchise’s signature blend of horror‑themed action and exploration.