Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will cease operations next month, marking the end of the game’s presence on Apple Arcade. The removal process will occur in two stages: first, the game will be taken off the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, and then, on September 3, the servers that keep the game functional will be shut down, rendering the title unplayable for anyone who still has it installed. In a statement posted on Konami’s website, the company reflected on the game’s lifespan and the community that supported it.
"Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the announcement read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The message went on to thank the player base, noting, "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." Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile experience for iOS and Android users in Canada. After a brief run, the initial version was discontinued a year later.
Konami then re‑imagined the game for Apple’s subscription service, launching it on iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS as part of Apple Arcade. This re‑release stripped away the original in‑game currency and micro‑transaction model, overhauled the user interface, and delivered a visual upgrade that aligned the title more closely with the classic Castlevania aesthetic. The decision to pull the game now is part of a broader trend of titles reaching the end of their service life on subscription platforms. Konami is not alone in this regard; several other games are slated for shutdown in the coming months.
For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to go offline in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and then Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November. These closures highlight the transient nature of online‑dependent games, especially those that rely on continuous server support and periodic updates. For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the impending shutdown means that any progress made in the game, along with any unlocked characters, weapons, or achievements, will become inaccessible after September 3.
Players who wish to experience the game one last time are encouraged to do so before the delisting date, as the title will no longer be available for download or purchase after August 20. Once the servers are turned off, the game will essentially become a static, unplayable file on any device.
The broader Castlevania franchise, a long‑standing pillar of Konami’s portfolio, continues to thrive through other releases and adaptations, including recent console titles and upcoming projects. While Grimoire of Souls served as a unique entry that brought the series to mobile and subscription audiences, its lifecycle reflects the challenges of maintaining a live service in a rapidly evolving gaming market. In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the final chapter for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade. The game will be removed from the storefront on August 20, and its online components will be disabled on September 3, after which it will no longer be playable.
The company expressed sincere thanks to its community, acknowledging the support that sustained the title for nearly two years on the platform. This shutdown joins a wave of similar closures across the industry, underscoring the impermanent nature of many modern, service‑based games.