Konami has officially confirmed that the mobile title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, ending its availability on Apple Arcade. The game, which has been a part of the Apple Arcade catalog since its debut on the platform in September 2021, will be removed from the service on August 20. Following the delisting, the servers that host the game will be shut down on September 3, after which the title will no longer be accessible to players.
In a statement posted on Konami’s official website, the company reflected on the game’s journey and the decision to discontinue it. "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 developer went on to thank its community, saying, "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." To understand the context behind this shutdown, it helps to look back at the title’s origins. Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play experience for iOS and Android devices, initially released only in the Canadian market. That early version relied on a traditional mobile monetisation model, featuring in‑game currency and microtransactions that allowed players to acquire new characters, weapons, and upgrades. After roughly a year, the original mobile version was discontinued, and Konami pivoted the project toward a subscription‑based platform.
In September 2021, the game resurfaced as an Apple Arcade exclusive, making its way onto iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac computers. This re‑launch came with a substantial overhaul: the developers stripped out all forms of in‑app purchases, removed the in‑game currency system, and focused on delivering a pure, ad‑free experience that aligned with Apple Arcade’s promise of no extra costs beyond the subscription fee. Alongside these changes, the visual presentation received a refresh, with higher‑resolution textures, refined character models, and a more polished user interface that took advantage of the larger screens on iPad and Apple TV. Grimoire of Souls is a spin‑off within the long‑running Castlevania franchise, offering a battle‑royale‑style arena where players can collect and command a roster of iconic characters from the series.
The gameplay blends classic side‑scrolling combat with a strategic element, allowing players to summon allies, equip them with a variety of weapons, and engage in fast‑paced matches against other players or AI opponents. The title was praised for its nostalgic nods to the broader Castlevania universe, as well as for delivering a multiplayer experience that felt fresh on mobile devices.
The decision to retire the game is part of a broader trend of online‑dependent titles being phased out as their player bases dwindle or as companies shift resources toward newer projects. Konami has indicated that Grimoire of Souls is one of several games slated for shutdown in the coming months. Notably, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem title in October, and finally the vehicular combat game Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the challenges of maintaining live services, especially when the revenue generated no longer justifies the ongoing server costs and development overhead.
For fans of Grimoire of Souls, the impending shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or achievements will become inaccessible after September 3. Players who wish to preserve memories of the game may consider capturing screenshots, recording gameplay footage, or documenting their favorite strategies before the servers go dark.
While there is no announced plan for a standalone offline version or a re‑release on another platform, the legacy of the game lives on in the broader Castlevania series, which continues to receive new entries and remasters across consoles and PC. In summary, Konami’s announcement marks the end of an eight‑month run on Apple Arcade for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, a title that transitioned from a free‑to‑play mobile experiment to a subscription‑based, ad‑free experience.
The removal from the Apple Arcade storefront on August 20, followed by the complete server shutdown on September 3, will render the game unplayable. The company expressed sincere thanks to its community and placed the closure within a larger pattern of online games being retired as part of strategic shifts in the industry.
Players are encouraged to savor their remaining time with the game and to keep an eye on future Castlevania releases that may capture similar excitement in new forms.