Konami has officially confirmed that its Castlevania‑themed title, Grimoire of Souls, will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game’s presence on Apple Arcade. The company stated that the title will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, and the servers that support the game will be shut down on September 3, meaning that after that date the game will no longer be accessible to anyone who tries to launch it.
In a brief statement posted on Konami’s website, the publisher reflected on the game’s lifespan and its community. “Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players,” the notice read.
“However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September].” The statement went on to thank the fan 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 title for iOS and Android, initially available only in Canada. That early version relied on in‑game currency and microtransactions, a common model for mobile games at the time.
After roughly a year, the original mobile version was discontinued. Konami then re‑imagined the experience for Apple’s subscription‑based platform, Apple Arcade, and relaunched it in September 2021 across a range of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPadOS, tvOS, and Mac. The Apple Arcade iteration was stripped of its original monetisation mechanics. Konami removed all in‑game currency and microtransaction options, opting instead for a pure, subscription‑based experience that aligned with Apple Arcade’s promise of no‑ads and no‑extra‑purchases.
In addition to the business model overhaul, the developers took the opportunity to refine the game’s visual presentation, updating the user interface, polishing the graphics, and making a number of quality‑of‑life improvements to the overall layout and performance. Despite these enhancements and a dedicated community of players who continued to explore the game’s gothic world, Konami has now decided to pull the plug. The decision appears to be part of a broader trend within the industry, where several titles are scheduled for sunset in the coming months.
For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is slated to cease operations in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and then Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the shifting priorities of publishers as they reallocate resources toward newer projects or different platforms. The shutdown process will unfold in two stages.
First, on August 20, the title will be delisted from the Apple Arcade storefront, meaning new users will no longer be able to discover or download the game. Existing owners will still be able to launch the game, but only until the final shutdown date. On September 3, Konami will deactivate the online services that power the game’s core functionality, effectively rendering it unplayable for everyone, even those who previously purchased or downloaded it.
For players who have invested time in building their in‑game collections, mastering the combat system, or simply enjoying the atmospheric reinterpretation of the Castlevania franchise, this news may come as a disappointment. However, Konami’s public statement emphasizes gratitude and acknowledges the community’s enthusiasm over the years.
The company has not indicated any plans to preserve the game in an offline mode or to release a standalone version that could be played without server support. The broader context of these shutdowns highlights the challenges faced by subscription‑based gaming services.
While Apple Arcade offers a curated library of games without ads or in‑app purchases, each title still requires ongoing maintenance, server costs, and periodic updates to stay compatible with evolving operating systems. When a game’s player base diminishes or strategic priorities shift, publishers may opt to discontinue support rather than continue investing in a title that no longer aligns with their business goals. Fans of the Castlevania series who enjoyed Grimoire of Souls may look forward to other upcoming releases from Konami or from third‑party developers that explore similar gothic themes and action‑RPG mechanics.
In the meantime, the company’s acknowledgment of its community suggests that it values the feedback and loyalty of its audience, potentially informing future projects. In summary, Konami’s Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online services terminating on September 3, after which the game will no longer be playable. The decision is part of a wave of upcoming game closures across multiple platforms, reflecting broader industry trends and the evolving focus of publishers on new content and platforms.