Delphi Interactive closes Refactor Games, 85 staff laid off

The studio behind the recently released FIFA World Cup Launch Edition video game has been shut down, resulting in the layoff of its entire staff. Refactor Games, a Los Angeles-based developer, was closed by its part-owner and publisher, Delphi Interactive, which pulled funding shortly after the game's exclusive launch on Netflix in June 2026.

According to multiple former employees who posted on LinkedIn, the entire team was let go. One former art director stated that Delphi pulled the plug on the studio right after shipping the FIFA game for Netflix, adding that the entire studio was let go. Another worker confirmed that after shipping the title, the studio's parent company pulled its funding, leading to the layoffs. Studio head Nathan Burba confirmed that 85 employees were affected.

The closure comes roughly two months after the high-profile launch of FIFA World Cup Launch Edition on June 11, 2026. The game was a significant release as the first FIFA-branded soccer video game since the global soccer organization ended its long-standing partnership with Electronic Arts. It debuted exclusively on Netflix's gaming platform.

The game's performance presented a stark contrast. Netflix...