Julien Merceron, a globally respected games industry tech veteran with more than 30 years of experience across some of the world’s most influential entertainment franchises, is leading internal development as CTO of Delphi Interactive.
Delphi has come on the scene as a publisher that is making some very interesting games come to life, such as 007 First Light, which is being developed and published by IO Interactive in association with Delphi. Delphi is also working on a reimagined FIFA soccer simulation game, set to launch exclusively on Netflix this year.
Merceron oversees the company’s technical and development strategy, including the work on the FIFA game.
Delphi was founded by Casper Daugaard in 2020 and Andy Kleinman joined in 2023. Theodor Tang-Peronard joined in 2024. They want to challenge the inefficiencies of the traditional publisher model – oversized teams, slow decision-making, misaligned incentives, and technology that struggles to keep pace with creative ambition.
Instead, the company operates with lean, senior teams, clear creative ownership, and modern development pipelines, pairing iconic global IP with best-in-class independent talent.
Merceron brings more than 30 years of games and technology leadership across Konami, Bandai Namco, Square Enix Group, Ubisoft, and IO Interactive. At Konami, he served as Worldwide Technology Director, overseeing the Fox Engine and playing a central role in shaping Metal Gear Solid V and Pro Evolution Soccer during its most critically acclaimed era.
At Delphi, Merceron is working closely with FIFA Game Executive Producer Theodor Tang-Peronard and the company’s senior technical and creative leadership, as FIFA Games are reimagined from the ground up.
“Julien is known for football games people loved because they were built with fun and feel at the center,” said Theodor Tang-Peronard, partner at Delphi Interactive and executive producer of the FIFA game, in a statement. “That way of thinking is core to how we’re reimagining FIFA in simulation for a much broader audience. Julien’s experience brings a level of clarity that sharpens our decisions and helps ensure the game is easy to pick up, yet still has depth.”
As part of its development strategy, Delphi has partnered with Refactor Games, an emerging world-class studio with veterans from EA Sports, 2K, Blizzard, and Riot Games. The studio is based out of Delphi’s headquarters in Los Angeles. Refactor Games is led by Nathan Burba, Arman Megurditchian, and Stephen Everest.
“Delphi and Refactor share a very specific approach as we reimagine FIFA Games for the future,” said Merceron, in a statement. “With small, elite teams of top-tier designer and developer talent, we can stay true to the core creative vision and serve the great fandom of football. In a way, we are returning to the principles that made the great football games of the past.”
The new FIFA title from Delphi Interactive will be available exclusively to Netflix members this summer in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026.