Konami has formally disclosed that its Apple Arcade‑only title, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, will cease to be available next month. The game will first disappear from the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, after which it will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning that no player will be able to launch or play the title beyond that date. In an official statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the title’s lifespan. "Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has enjoyed steady support from a dedicated community of players," the statement read.
"Nevertheless, we have made the decision to end the service in September." The company also took the opportunity to thank its audience. "We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to every player who has shown such enthusiastic support over the years," the message continued. "The entire development and operations team is deeply grateful for your involvement in this adventure." To understand the context, it helps to trace the game’s history.
Grimoire of Souls originally launched in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile experience for iOS and Android, initially rolling out only in Canada. After a year of operation, the original version was discontinued. Konami later revived the title as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms.
When the game returned under the Apple Arcade banner, Konami made several notable changes. The in‑game currency and micro‑transaction model that had been part of the free‑to‑play version were removed, shifting the experience to a fully premium, ad‑free format.
The user interface received a redesign, and visual assets were upgraded to take advantage of the higher resolution and performance capabilities of Apple’s hardware ecosystem. These adjustments were intended to provide a smoother, more immersive experience that aligned with the expectations of Apple Arcade subscribers. Grimoire of Souls is not the only title slated for termination in the near future. The gaming industry regularly cycles through titles as subscription services evolve and as developers reallocate resources.
For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to close its doors in September, followed by the Warner Bros.‑affiliated Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, which will end service in October. Additionally, the vehicular combat game Destruction AllStars is scheduled to go offline in November. These shutdowns illustrate a broader trend of publishers consolidating their portfolios and focusing on newer projects or different business models.
The decision to retire a game can stem from multiple factors. Declining active user numbers, rising maintenance costs, or strategic shifts toward new IPs are common reasons. In the case of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the removal of micro‑transactions and the shift to a subscription‑only model may have limited its revenue potential compared to other titles in Konami’s lineup.
Moreover, the competitive landscape of mobile and console gaming continues to intensify, prompting companies to prioritize titles that promise higher engagement or better alignment with their long‑term vision. For players who have invested time and effort into Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown may be disappointing.
However, Konami’s statement emphasizes gratitude and acknowledges the community’s role in the game’s journey. While the game will no longer be playable after September 3, fans can still look back on the experience through recorded gameplay, community forums, and any personal progress saved locally, if applicable. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely unplayable on September 3, as confirmed by Konami.
The title’s evolution—from a free‑to‑play mobile release in 2019 to a refined Apple Arcade exclusive—highlights both the opportunities and challenges of sustaining a game in today’s fast‑moving digital marketplace. As the industry continues to evolve, players can expect further changes to the availability of games across subscription platforms, with several other titles already announced for upcoming discontinuation.