Konami has made public its plan to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls in the coming weeks. The title, which has been available exclusively through Apple Arcade, will be taken off the platform’s catalogue on August 20, and the servers that keep the game functional will be shut down on September 3.
After that date, players will no longer be able to launch or play the experience. In a statement posted on Konami’s official website, the company reflected on the game’s lifespan: "Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the title has enjoyed a steady stream of support from a dedicated player base. Nevertheless, we have made the decision to end the service in September." The message went on to thank the community, saying, "We are deeply grateful to all of our fans for their enthusiastic backing over the years. The entire development and operations team sincerely appreciates you for joining us on this adventure." To understand the context, it helps to look back at the game’s origins.
Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title released for iOS and Android users in Canada. That initial version relied on in‑game currency and microtransaction mechanics typical of many mobile games at the time. After about a year, Konami pulled the title from the stores, only to resurrect it later as a premium offering on Apple Arcade.
When the game returned in September 2021, the publisher stripped out the micro‑transaction system, reworked the user interface, and upgraded the visual presentation to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. The decision to retire the game aligns with a broader trend of online‑dependent titles being phased out as their player bases dwindle or as companies shift focus to newer projects. In the same announcement period, Konami listed several other titles that are slated for similar fates in the next few months.
Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem shutdown scheduled for October, and finally the closure of Destruction AllStars in November. These closures underscore the challenges of maintaining live‑service games, especially when ongoing server costs and content updates outweigh the revenue they generate. For fans of Castlevania: Grimoir e of Souls, the news may feel bittersweet.
The game offered a unique twist on the classic Castlevania formula, allowing players to collect and command a roster of legendary heroes from across the franchise’s history. Each character came with distinct abilities and upgrade paths, encouraging strategic team composition and replayability. The Apple Arcade version also introduced polished graphics, smoother animations, and a more cohesive progression system compared to its earlier mobile incarnation.
While the removal of micro‑transactions was welcomed by many, it also meant that the title relied entirely on its initial purchase price and ongoing player engagement to justify its continued operation. Looking ahead, Konami has not detailed any immediate replacements for Grimoire of Souls within the Apple Arcade lineup, but the publisher continues to invest in other franchises and new experiences.
The company’s broader portfolio includes both legacy series like Metal Gear and newer IPs, suggesting that resources may be redirected toward projects with higher growth potential. For players who wish to preserve their memories of the game, screenshots, video recordings, and personal notes remain the only way to retain a piece of the experience now that the online components will disappear. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20, with the final shutdown occurring on September 3, after which the game will no longer be accessible.
Konami’s statement expressed gratitude to its community and highlighted the game’s evolution from a micro‑transaction‑laden mobile release to a refined, ad‑free Apple Arcade title. This closure is part of a larger wave of service terminations affecting several live‑service games across different platforms, reflecting the shifting priorities and economic realities of the gaming industry.