Fox Engine Architect Julien Merceron Joins Netflix FIFA Project

For many players, Konami’s Fox Engine still stands as one of the most impressive proprietary engines ever built. Developed to power Metal Gear Solid V and later adapted for Pro Evolution Soccer, the technology was widely praised for its visual fidelity and optimisation. Now, the architect behind it is turning his attention to a new football project tied to Netflix.

As reported by GamesMarket, Julien Merceron has officially joined Delphi Interactive as Chief Technology Officer, where he will oversee the technical direction of an upcoming FIFA-branded football game being developed in collaboration with Netflix.

A Veteran Technologist

Merceron previously served as Worldwide Technology Director at Konami, where he led the development and rollout of the Fox Engine across multiple flagship titles. Beyond Konami, his résumé includes senior technical roles at Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and IO Interactive, giving him experience across a wide range of genres and production scales.

At Delphi Interactive, Merceron will take on a similar leadership role, guiding engine decisions, technical architecture, and long-term scalability for Netflix’s FIFA project.

Balancing Accessibility with Depth

According to Delphi Interactive, Merceron’s appointment is intended to support a football experience that is easy for new players to pick up while still offering enough mechanical depth for more dedicated fans. His prior experience working on football titles is expected to play a key role in shaping how the game handles responsiveness, animation systems, and match flow.

Alongside the announcement, Delphi Interactive also confirmed a partnership with Refactor Games, the studio behind Football Simulator. While details remain limited, the collaboration suggests an emphasis on technical authenticity and systemic depth.

Netflix’s FIFA Plans Remain Under Wraps

Netflix’s FIFA game is currently targeting a Summer 2026 release window, timed to align with the FIFA World Cup. The company has previously indicated that the game will be playable via smartphone-based controller inputs, positioning it as a low-barrier entry point for subscribers.

However, no concrete gameplay footage, visual style, or platform details have been revealed so far. With Merceron now in place as CTO, more clarity on the project’s technical ambitions may emerge in the coming months.