FIFA World Cup Game Developer Reportedly Shuts Down After Launch

WHO:

Eurogamer.net - Refactor Games, the development team responsible for FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition.

Video Games Chronicle - Barclay Chantel, art director; Joseph Civitate, 3D artist and motion capture expert; Victor Del Castillo, product designer and UI artist; Nathan Burba, studio head.

Gamereactor UK - Delphi Interactive, part-owner of Refactor Games.

WHAT:

Eurogamer.net - Approximately 85% of developers at Refactor Games have been laid off.

Video Games Chronicle - The game FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition was released on June 11.

Gamereactor UK - The studio reportedly shut down after the layoffs, with Delphi Interactive pulling funding.

WN Hub - The staff of Refactor Games decreased by 85%.

WHERE:

Eurogamer.net - Refactor Games is based in California, specifically at Delphi’s Los Angeles headquarters.

WHEN:

Eurogamer.net - FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition was released on June 11.

Video Games Chronicle - Netflix stated that the game would “evolve over time” in early June.

WHY:

Eurogamer.net - The layoffs occurred due to funding for the next project being canceled.

Video Games Chronicle - Funding for the studio was pulled after the game was released.

HOW:

Eurogamer.net - Affected employees shared their experiences on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Video Games Chronicle - The game was developed quickly to meet a deadline for the FIFA World Cup.

(UPDATED August 4, 2026 15:26 UTC)

In a significant development for the gaming industry, approximately 85% of the developers at Refactor Games, based in California, have been laid off, leading to the studio's reported shutdown after Delphi Interactive pulled its funding. The layoffs followed the release of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition on June 11, which was developed quickly to meet a deadline for the FIFA World Cup, but ultimately resulted in funding for future projects being canceled. Affected employees have taken to social media platforms like LinkedIn to share their experiences during this challenging time.