Danish game developer Trophy Games has announced the purchase of Playrion, the studio behind the popular mobile title Airport Simulator: First Class, from the publishing giant Paradox Interactive. The transaction represents a strategic move for Trophy Games, which aims to broaden its portfolio of simulation experiences and to cement a new source of revenue growth. Financially, the agreement is structured around an immediate cash payment of €2.25 million, complemented by a performance‑based earn‑out that will be paid over the next three years.
The earn‑out is tied directly to Playrion’s net revenue, ensuring that the former owners continue to benefit if the studio maintains or improves its financial results under the new ownership. As part of the deal, Playrion’s entire workforce—approximately thirty staff members—will be integrated into Trophy Games’ existing operations.
This infusion of talent brings seasoned developers, artists, and designers who have already demonstrated their ability to produce a successful mobile simulation product. “This acquisition is a milestone for Trophy Games,” said Søren Gleie, the founder and chief executive officer of the company. “We have been tracking Playrion for the past four years. They have been one of our strongest competitors, and we know their games, their culture, and the market they serve inside‑out.
That familiarity makes the strategic fit exceptionally strong.” Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, echoed the sentiment, noting that the sale aligns Paradox’s focus on its core strategy of developing and publishing strategy and management games for PC and console platforms. “Playrion is a highly capable mobile‑game studio with an impressive track record.
We are pleased to hand the studio over to an owner who is committed to nurturing its growth,” Wester explained. Trophy Games plans to leverage Airport Simulator as the foundation for an entirely new line of simulation titles. The company previously employed a similar approach in 2021 when it acquired Airline Manager 4, a move that sparked a period of rapid expansion. Gleie highlighted that the company now possesses a repeatable formula: identify a game that has already proven market demand, then expand it into a broader franchise.
“By now we have a recipe for taking a proven game and building a whole series around it,” Gleie said. “We did that with Airline Manager, and we see the same opportunity with Airport Simulator. If we can replicate that success, Playrion will become a completely new growth pillar for Trophy Games.” The acquisition comes at a time when Trophy Games believes it is well‑positioned for further expansion. The studio currently has six titles under development across a range of simulation and strategy genres.
Over the past five years, the company has more than quadrupled its revenue, providing it with the financial muscle to pursue larger deals such as this one. “Playrion is our biggest acquisition to date and a clear signal that we are executing the growth strategy we laid out several years ago,” Gleie added.
“Our increased capital base gives us the flexibility to make strategic purchases that accelerate our trajectory.” In light of the new purchase, Trophy Games has revised its financial outlook for 2026. The revised revenue projection now sits between €22.8 million and €24.1 million, up from the earlier range of €20.1 million to €22.4 million.
This upward adjustment reflects the anticipated contribution of Playrion’s existing products as well as the future series that will stem from Airport Simulator. A brief background on Playrion: the studio was founded in 2010 in Paris and was acquired by Paradox Interactive in 2020.
Since then, Playrion has focused on mobile simulation experiences, with Airport Simulator: First Class becoming its flagship title. The game allows players to design, manage, and operate an airport, offering a blend of strategic planning and creative customization that has resonated with a global audience.
Looking ahead, Trophy Games intends to capitalize on Playrion’s expertise in mobile development while also exploring cross‑platform opportunities. By integrating Playrion’s proven mobile mechanics with Trophy Games’ broader simulation expertise, the combined entity aims to deliver richer, more immersive experiences that can appeal to both casual mobile gamers and dedicated simulation enthusiasts. Overall, the acquisition signals a decisive step for Trophy Games as it seeks to diversify its portfolio, strengthen its development capabilities, and establish a new pillar of growth anchored by Playrion’s successful Airport Simulator franchise.