Konami has formally disclosed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game’s lifecycle on Apple Arcade. The service will first disappear from the Apple Arcade storefront on August 20, after which the game will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning that no player will be able to launch or play it beyond that date.
In a statement posted on the company’s official website, Konami reflected on the game’s history and the decision to end the service. "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 developer also took the opportunity to thank the 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 continued. To understand the context of this shutdown, it helps to look back at the game’s origins.
Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title available on iOS and Android devices in Canada. The initial release featured a traditional mobile monetisation model that included in‑game currency and micro‑transactions.
After roughly a year, the original version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the experience in a different form. In September 2021, the title was relaunched as an Apple Arcade exclusive, expanding its availability to a broader range of Apple platforms, including iPhone, iPad, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS.
This second incarnation stripped away the original free‑to‑play mechanics, removing any form of in‑game purchases and micro‑transactions. In addition to the business model shift, Konami took the chance to overhaul the visual presentation, refining the user interface, polishing the graphics, and rebalancing gameplay elements to better suit a subscription‑based audience. The decision to retire Grimoire of Souls comes as part of a larger trend of games being phased out from online services.
Konami has indicated that several other titles are slated for similar fates in the upcoming months. For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September, followed by the Warner Bros.‑affiliated Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, which will be taken offline in October. The list continues with the shutdown of Destruction AllStars in November. These closures reflect the challenges of maintaining live‑service games, especially when player bases dwindle or when strategic priorities shift.
For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the impending shutdown may feel disappointing, but the game’s legacy includes several noteworthy contributions to the franchise’s mobile and console crossover efforts. By moving from a conventional free‑to‑play model to a premium subscription offering, Konami demonstrated a willingness to experiment with different distribution strategies.
The enhanced graphics and refined UI introduced in the Apple Arcade version also set a higher visual standard for future handheld adaptations of the Castlevania series. Players who wish to preserve their memories of the game are encouraged to capture screenshots, record gameplay footage, or document any in‑game achievements before the September 3 deadline.
Once the servers are shut down, any progress, unlocked characters, or saved data will be permanently lost, as the game relies on online connectivity for its core functions. In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the final chapter for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade. The removal from the storefront on August 20 will be the first step, followed by a complete offline shutdown on September 3. The company has expressed sincere appreciation for its community, acknowledging the support that sustained the title for several years.
As part of a broader wave of service terminations affecting multiple mobile and console titles, this shutdown underscores the evolving landscape of live‑service gaming and the need for developers to continually reassess the viability of maintaining online experiences.