By Kotaku | Created at 2026-08-03 17:54:32 | Updated at 2026-08-03 21:07:16
3 hours ago
On June 11, Netflix released FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition exclusively through its streaming games platform for subscribers. Critics didn’t like it much, but according to Netflix, it was one of the company’s most successful cloud game launches. Now, about two months later, the studio behind FIFA World Cup is reportedly shutting down, and everyone is out of a job.
As reported by Game Developer, over the weekend, a number of employees at Refractor Studios announced on LinkedIn that they had been laid off from the studio shortly after shipping FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition. Some claim that the entire studio has been shut down after its part-owner, Delphi Interactive, cut the studio’s funding. We don’t yet know how many people were affected by the layoffs and possible studio shutdown.
Kotaku has contacted Delphi for more information and clarification.
It’s game time! FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition is now on Netflix Games.
Choose a team, storm the pitch, and play on your TV or computer with up to four friends: https://t.co/OuTDSNdc0k pic.twitter.com/YNz0XJ3IGh
— Netflix (@netflix) June 11, 2026
Refractor launched FIFA World Cup for Netflix in June. In July, despite negative reviews over the game’s visuals and gameplay, Netflix said FIFA World Cup was a “top-tier” performer and one of the streamer’s most successful game launches. Delphi, a company founded in 2020 that licenses other IP and helps develop games with assistance from partners, was a co-owner of the LA-based Refractor. According to posts on LinkedIn from numerous employees, Delphi pulled funding, and that led to the studio closing.
“Delphi just pulled the plug on Refactor Studios right after we shipped the FIFA World Cup game for Netflix,” posted art director Barclay Chantel on LinkedIn. “The entire studio was let go today, so if anyone is looking for talent, I can put you in contact with some pretty awesome folks.”
“After we shipped FIFA World Cup Launch Edition, the studio’s parent company pulled its funding,” claimed full stack developer Nathan Potter. “The entire development team has been laid off, myself included. I’m now looking for my next role in game development or full stack engineering – If you’re hiring or know someone who is, I’d love to connect.”
Delphi Interactive’s website claims it is “redefining how AAA games are made.” But firing employees a few weeks after they ship a game, despite the publisher claiming it was successful, seems to be the opposite of that claim. Delphi Interactive instead is seemingly following the playbook of every other publisher and game company out there.
