FIFA Game Developer Refactor Games Closes Following Praise

WHO:

GameDev.net - Refactor Games was started in 2022 by Survios cofounder Nathan Burba.

Aftermath - Refactor Games, a developer of the FIFA World Cup game, was reportedly shut down.

Aftermath - Delphi Interactive, part owner of Refactor Games, is involved in the shutdown.

Aftermath - Casper Daugaard, CEO of Delphi Interactive, praised the FIFA game.

Aftermath - Employees of Refactor Games, including an art director, senior producer, senior UI artist, QA lead, and technical artist, reported layoffs.

WHAT:

GameDev.net - Refactor Games laid off 85% of its staff, with reports indicating that 80 people were affected.

GameDev.net - Employees were notified of the layoffs in a general meeting on July 31.

Aftermath - Refactor Games has reportedly been shut down following the launch of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition on Netflix Games.

Aftermath - The FIFA World Cup game garnered 1.5 million players in its first week.

Aftermath - Delphi Interactive pulled funding from Refactor Games, leading to layoffs of the entire studio.

WHERE:

Aftermath - Refactor Games is associated with Netflix, which launched the FIFA game.

WHEN:

Aftermath - The FIFA World Cup game launched in June.

Aftermath - The layoffs occurred shortly after the game's launch.

WHY:

GameDev.net - The layoffs were attributed to funding being pulled by Delphi Interactive.

Aftermath - Delphi Interactive reportedly pulled funding from Refactor Games, leading to the studio's closure.

HOW:

GameDev.net - Burba confirmed the layoffs in a message to GamesBeat but did not elaborate further.

Aftermath - Employees were laid off after the funding was pulled by Delphi Interactive.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 04:12 UTC)

Refactor Games, which was founded in 2022 by Survios cofounder Nathan Burba, has laid off 85% of its staff, affecting around 80 employees. The layoffs were announced during a general meeting on July 31, and were attributed to funding being pulled by Delphi Interactive. Burba confirmed the layoffs in a message to GamesBeat but did not provide any additional details.

--

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 20:35 UTC)

Refactor Games, the developer behind the FIFA World Cup game, has reportedly shut down following the game's launch on Netflix, which attracted 1.5 million players in its first week. Delphi Interactive, part owner of Refactor Games, pulled funding from the studio, resulting in layoffs that affected key positions including an art director and a senior producer. Casper Daugaard, CEO of Delphi Interactive, praised the FIFA game despite the unfortunate closure of Refactor Games.