The future of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition appears uncertain after reports emerged that Refactor Games, the California-based studio behind the official Netflix-exclusive football title, has laid off nearly its entire workforce.
The game launched on June 11, 2026, allowing Netflix subscribers to stream matches directly to their TVs while using their smartphones as controllers. Despite the high-profile FIFA license, the title received poor critical reception, with many reviewers arguing that it felt unfinished and rushed to coincide with the start of the FIFA World Cup.
According to Game Developer, multiple current and former employees have shared messages on LinkedIn claiming that Refactor Games’ parent company, Delphi Interactive, cut funding shortly after the game’s release, resulting in widespread layoffs across the studio.
Developers Describe Sudden Studio Closure
Several employees publicly confirmed the reported layoffs through LinkedIn posts. Art Director Barclay Chantel wrote,
“Delphi just pulled the plug on Refactor Studios right after we shipped the FIFA World Cup game for Netflix. 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.”
His statement suggests the layoffs affected virtually every department within the studio.
UI Artist and Product Designer Victor Del Castillo echoed those claims, praising his former colleagues while explaining what happened after launch. He wrote,
“After shipping the FIFA World Cup Launch Edition for Netflix Games, the studio’s parent company unfortunately pulled funding, and the entire team, myself included, was laid off.”
The comments were first highlighted by Game Developer as reports of the studio’s closure began circulating.
Artist Joseph Civitate also described the situation, saying,
“Our entire studio just got laid off at Refactor Games after releasing FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition on Netflix… due to the funding on our next project being cancelled.”
While neither Netflix nor Delphi Interactive has publicly confirmed the layoffs, the number of employee posts has added credibility to the reports.
Before the game’s release, Netflix had indicated that FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition would continue receiving updates after launch. In an official press release published ahead of release, the company described the initial version as its “Kickoff” and said the title would “evolve over time.”
Those plans are now uncertain following the reported layoffs. If Refactor Games has indeed lost most or all of its development team, ongoing updates, new content, and long-term support could be significantly affected unless another studio takes over development.
The game’s launch was already met with criticism from reviewers, who cited limited features, technical issues, and a lack of polish. As of now, Netflix has not announced whether development will continue under a different team or whether its previously promised roadmap for the FIFA World Cup title remains in place.
