adminThe Refactor Games layoffs have reduced the studio’s workforce by 85%, according to founder and owner Nathan Burba. The confirmation followed reports from departing employees that the studio had been shut down. Refactor Games denied that it had closed, distinguishing the staff reductions from a full shutdown.
Image credit: Netflix
Update — Aug. 4: Nathan Burba confirmed that Refactor Games laid off 85% of its staff. This article reflects that update.
Refactor Games layoffs: What has been confirmed
Refactor Games developed FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition, which debuted exclusively on Netflix Games in June 2026. The company’s confirmation establishes the scale of the cuts, but the available information does not specify how many employees were affected in total. The percentage alone cannot be used to calculate an exact number without knowing the studio’s headcount before the layoffs.
Earlier accounts from departing staff described the studio as shuttered and attributed that outcome to partner Delphi Interactive. Refactor Games disputed the claim that it had been closed. Delphi holds a minority stake in the studio, but does not own it. That distinction matters: a large reduction in staff is significant, but it is not the same as confirmed company closure.
Refactor Games’ projects and background
The US-based studio first released Football Simulator in early access in 2022. Its team included developers who had previously worked at EA Sports, 2K Sports and OneTeam Partners. Refactor Games later collaborated with Delphi Interactive on its FIFA World Cup game.
Netflix described FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition as a “top tier” performer. Reviews, however, criticized its controls, graphics and player AI. These contrasting assessments provide context about the game’s reception, but they do not explain the reason for the layoffs; no cause was stated in the information available.
What to watch for next
Further statements from Refactor Games or Delphi Interactive may clarify how the staffing cuts affect the studio’s operations and future projects. Until then, it is useful to separate confirmed details—an 85% workforce reduction and Delphi’s minority ownership—from unconfirmed conclusions about the studio’s long-term plans. Readers following the Refactor Games layoffs should also look for any specific update on the status of its existing games.
Key takeaway
Refactor Games has confirmed that it laid off 85% of its staff, while denying earlier claims that the studio had been shut down. The cuts followed the June 2026 Netflix Games release of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition. The Refactor Games layoffs are confirmed, but the studio’s future plans and the exact number of affected employees have not been stated.
