Developer that made Netflix’s FIFA World Cup game hit by devastating layoffs
Refactor studio experienced a severe workforce reduction following the withdrawal of financial support by investor Delphi Interactive. Approximately 80 workers—constituting roughly 85 percent of the company—lost their positions on July 31, just weeks after the June release of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition for Netflix. The abrupt funding cut left departing staff without severance compensation, catching employees by surprise.
Despite generating modest critical attention, the Netflix football game reportedly performed well relative to other cloud gaming titles on the platform. The studio's future remains uncertain, though management has expressed hopes of bringing back some former employees for ongoing projects. Refactor's existing portfolio includes Football Simulator, a Madden-style competitor that has remained in early access on Steam since 2022.
In short
- Refactor studio laid off 85% of its workforce after partial owner Delphi Interactive withdrew funding
- Layoffs occurred on July 31, merely seven weeks after FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition's Netflix release
- Affected employees received no severance compensation despite the immediate nature of the decision
Explained simply
Refactor is a video game studio that makes football games, including Football Simulator, which has been available in an unfinished early-access version on Steam since 2022. In June, it released FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition for Netflix, a football game tied to the international tournament.
The studio relied on financial backing from Delphi Interactive, an investor that supports its work. Netflix offers games to subscribers as part of its service, including titles played through cloud gaming, where the game runs on remote servers and streams to a device. Refactor’s future matters to its staff and to the continuation of its games and projects.
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