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 be taken off the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, after which it will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning players will no longer be able to launch or play the experience. In an official statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan: "Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players. However, we have decided to terminate the service in September." The publisher went on to thank the community, saying, "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 released only in Canada. After a brief run, the mobile version was discontinued a year later. Konami then re‑imagined the game for Apple’s subscription platform, bringing it to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac devices as part of Apple Arcade.
In this second incarnation, the company stripped away the original in‑game currency and micro‑transaction mechanics, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual fidelity to better match the expectations of console‑style gaming. The decision to pull the title aligns with a broader trend of online‑dependent games reaching the end of their service life.
Several other titles are slated for similar shutdowns in the coming months. For instance, the popular racing game Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to go offline in September, followed by Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and the vehicular combat game Destruction AllStars in November. When a game’s online infrastructure is turned off, any features that rely on server connectivity—such as leaderboards, multiplayer matchmaking, and cloud‑saved progress—become unavailable, effectively rendering the game unplayable. For fans of the Castlevania franchise, Grimoire of Souls offered a unique spin on the series’ classic gothic horror themes.
Set in a sprawling, procedurally generated castle, the game invited players to explore a labyrinthine environment filled with familiar monsters, hidden secrets, and a variety of playable characters drawn from the series’ extensive roster. The title emphasized replayability through its rogue‑like elements, encouraging players to experiment with different character builds and strategies as they delved deeper into the ever‑changing dungeon. While the original mobile version relied on a freemium model, the Apple Arcade version removed all monetisation barriers, providing a pure, subscription‑based experience. This shift was welcomed by many players who preferred a game without intrusive ads or pay‑to‑win mechanics.
Additionally, the updated graphics and refined controls were designed to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities, delivering smoother animations and more detailed textures than the earlier mobile release. The shutdown process will follow a standard procedure for Apple Arcade titles. After the delisting date of August 20, the game will no longer appear in search results or be downloadable for new users. Existing owners will retain access for a short grace period, after which the servers that host multiplayer sessions, cloud saves, and other online services will be permanently shut down on September 3.
At that point, even those who have the app installed on their devices will be unable to start the game, as it will attempt to connect to now‑defunct backend services. Konami’s announcement underscores the challenges that developers face when maintaining online‑only games, especially those that rely on continuous server support and periodic updates. Operating costs, shifting player bases, and the strategic reallocation of resources often drive companies to retire older titles in favor of new projects. For players, the loss of a beloved game can be disappointing, but it also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of digital entertainment that depends on external services.
If you own Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls and wish to preserve any memories of the experience, you may consider recording gameplay footage, capturing screenshots, or writing down your favorite strategies before the final shutdown date. While the game itself will no longer be functional, personal archives can help keep the adventure alive in a nostalgic sense. In summary, Konami’s Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will cease all online functionality on September 3, after which it will be completely unplayable. The decision is part of a larger wave of service terminations affecting several other titles across the platform.
Fans are encouraged to enjoy the remaining weeks of access and to thank the development team for their work over the years.