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 service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which the servers that support the game will be shut down on September 3, rendering the title unplayable for anyone who has not already downloaded it.
In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s history and the decision to end support. "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 publisher also took the opportunity to thank its 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 notice added. Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, but its initial run was short‑lived; the game was pulled from those platforms just a year later.
Konami later revived the project as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS. In the transition to a subscription‑based model, the company stripped away the original in‑game currency and micro‑transaction mechanics, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual presentation to better match the expectations of Apple’s premium gaming audience. The upcoming shutdown of Grimoire of Souls is not an isolated event.
Several other titles are slated for decommissioning in the near future. Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to go offline in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and then Destruction AllStars in November.
These closures illustrate a broader trend of mobile and subscription‑based games reaching the end of their service lifespans as developers shift focus to newer projects or consolidate resources. For players who have been enjoying Grimoire of Souls, the timeline is clear: after August 20, the game will no longer appear in the Apple Arcade storefront, meaning new users will be unable to download it. Existing owners will retain access for a short window, but once the September 3 shutdown occurs, the online components that power multiplayer matches, leaderboards, and any cloud‑saved progress will cease to function.
Those who wish to preserve any offline content should consider capturing screenshots or recording gameplay before the final date. The decision to end support for a game that has been available for several years can be disappointing, but it is often driven by practical considerations.
Maintaining server infrastructure, providing ongoing updates, and handling customer support all incur costs. When a title’s active player base declines or when the strategic direction of a company changes, it becomes financially sensible to allocate resources elsewhere. Konami’s statement emphasizes appreciation for the community, suggesting that the company values the feedback and enthusiasm that players have shown over the years.
While the shutdown marks the conclusion of Grimoire of Souls’ lifecycle on Apple Arcade, the legacy of the game lives on in the memories of its fans and in the evolution of the Castlevania franchise, which continues to explore new platforms and gameplay styles. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, 2024, and its online services will be terminated on September 3, 2024. After that date, the game will no longer be accessible.
Konami has expressed sincere thanks to its players and has placed the closure within a broader context of several other titles also facing imminent shutdowns. Players are encouraged to enjoy the remaining days of the game while they can, and to keep an eye on future announcements from Konami regarding new releases or updates to existing franchises.