Danish developer Trophy Games has completed the purchase of Playrion, the studio behind the popular Airport Simulator: First Class, from Paradox Interactive. The transaction is structured with an upfront cash component of €2.25 million and an additional earn‑out clause that will be paid over the next three years, contingent on Playrion’s net revenue performance. As part of the deal, approximately 30 members of Playrion’s staff will be integrated into Trophy Games’ existing workforce, bringing valuable expertise in mobile‑first simulation titles to the acquiring company.
"This is a landmark moment for Trophy Games," said Søren Gleie, the founder and chief executive officer of the company. "We have been tracking Playrion for four years and have long recognised them as one of our most formidable rivals. Because we understand their products, their development culture, and the broader market they serve, we see a very strong strategic fit." Gleie emphasized that the acquisition is not simply a financial transaction but a deliberate move to expand Trophy Games’ portfolio and capabilities. Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, added his perspective on the sale: "The transaction aligns with our strategic focus on building and publishing management‑style games for PC and console platforms.
Playrion excels at creating high‑quality mobile experiences and has a proven track record of delivering engaging simulation titles. We are pleased to hand the studio over to an owner who is committed to nurturing its growth and expanding its reach." Wester’s comments underline Paradox’s intention to concentrate resources on its core business while ensuring Playrion finds a supportive home. Trophy Games plans to leverage Airport Simulator as the foundation for a new series of simulation games, a strategy that mirrors its earlier acquisition of Airline Manager 4 in 2021. That previous deal marked the beginning of a rapid expansion phase for the company, allowing it to transform a single successful title into a broader franchise.
Gleie explained, "We now have a proven formula for taking a game that has already demonstrated market demand and building an entire series around it. We applied that model successfully with Airline Manager, and we see the same potential with Airport Simulator. If we can replicate that success, Playrion will become an entirely new growth pillar for Trophy Games." The acquisition comes at a time when Trophy Games is poised for further expansion. The studio currently has six games in active development, spanning a range of simulation and strategy genres.
Gleie noted that the company has more than quadrupled its revenue over the past five years, a growth trajectory that has provided the financial muscle needed to pursue larger acquisitions. "Playrion is our biggest purchase to date and represents another step in the growth strategy we have outlined," he said.
In light of the new purchase, Trophy Games has revised its financial outlook for 2026. The updated guidance now projects revenue in the range of €22.8 million to €24.1 million, up from the earlier estimate of €20.1 million to €22.4 million.
This upward revision reflects the anticipated contribution of Playrion’s existing titles, the expected synergies from integrating the teams, and the future series of simulation games that will be built around Airport Simulator. Playrion itself was founded in 2010 and was based in Paris before being acquired by Paradox Interactive in 2020. Under Paradox’s ownership, Playrion continued to develop mobile‑focused simulation experiences, most notably Airport Simulator: First Class, which has earned a dedicated fan base for its detailed recreation of airport operations and its accessible yet deep gameplay.
The studio’s expertise in translating complex simulation concepts into user‑friendly mobile formats makes it a valuable addition to Trophy Games, which has traditionally focused on PC‑centric simulation titles. Looking ahead, Trophy Games intends to blend Playrion’s mobile‑first design philosophy with its own strengths in deeper, PC‑oriented simulation experiences. This hybrid approach could open new market segments, allowing the company to reach both casual mobile gamers and more hardcore simulation enthusiasts.
By expanding the Airport Simulator franchise, Trophy Games hopes to introduce additional titles that cover different aspects of aviation—such as ground handling, air traffic control, and airline management—thereby creating a comprehensive ecosystem of related games. The strategic rationale behind the acquisition also includes cross‑promotion opportunities.
Existing Trophy Games titles could benefit from in‑game advertising or bundled offers that feature Playrion’s mobile games, while Playrion’s audience could be introduced to Trophy Games’ broader catalog of simulation products. Such cross‑selling tactics are expected to enhance user acquisition and retention across both platforms. Furthermore, the combined talent pool will enable more ambitious development timelines.
Playrion’s team brings experience in rapid iteration cycles and agile mobile development, which can accelerate the production of new features and updates for existing games. Meanwhile, Trophy Games’ seasoned developers can contribute deeper systems design, richer graphics, and more complex gameplay mechanics, potentially raising the overall quality and depth of the forthcoming Airport Simulator series.
In summary, the acquisition of Playrion by Trophy Games represents a significant milestone for both companies. For Trophy Games, it is the largest deal in its history and a cornerstone of a broader growth strategy that seeks to diversify its portfolio, enter new platforms, and create enduring simulation franchises.
For Playrion, the transition to a new owner promises continued investment, expanded resources, and the opportunity to scale its successful Airport Simulator brand into a multi‑title series. Both parties have expressed optimism that the partnership will yield mutual benefits and drive sustained growth in the competitive simulation gaming market.