Danish developer Trophy Games has announced the purchase of Playrion, the studio behind the popular mobile title Airport Simulator: First Class, from its former owner Paradox Interactive. The transaction is structured with an immediate cash component of €2.25 million and an additional earn‑out that will be paid over the next three years, contingent on Playrion’s net‑revenue performance. As part of the deal, roughly 30 members of the Playrion team will be integrated into Trophy Games’ existing workforce, bringing their expertise in mobile‑first simulation games into the larger group. "This is a watershed moment for Trophy Games," said founder and chief executive Søren Gleie.
"We've been watching Playrion for the past four years and have always considered them one of our fiercest rivals. Because we understand their products, their culture, and the market they serve so well, the acquisition feels like a natural strategic fit." Gleie went on to explain that the purchase is not merely about adding a new title to the portfolio, but about creating a fresh engine for growth. "Playrion will act as an entirely new growth pillar for us," he added, underscoring the ambition to turn the studio into a long‑term revenue driver. Paradox Interactive’s chief executive Fredrik Wester also commented on the move, noting that it aligns with Paradox’s broader strategy of concentrating on core PC and console management games.
"Playrion is a highly capable mobile developer with a proven track record," Wester said. "Finding a committed owner who can nurture the studio’s future is exactly what we wanted to achieve with this transaction." Trophy Games plans to leverage Airport Simulator as the foundation for a new series of simulation titles. The company has previously employed a similar model when it acquired Airline Manager 4 in 2021, a deal that sparked a period of rapid expansion. "We now have a repeatable recipe: identify a game that has already demonstrated market demand, then build an entire franchise around it," Gleie explained.
"We did that successfully with Airline Manager, and we see the same opportunity with Airport Simulator. If we can replicate that success, Playrion will become a core pillar of our growth strategy." The acquisition comes at a time when Trophy Games feels well‑positioned for further scaling. The studio currently has six games in active development and has reported a more than four‑fold increase in revenue over the past five years.
"Our financial strength now enables us to pursue larger deals," Gleie noted. "Playrion is the biggest acquisition we have ever made, and it represents the next step in the growth roadmap we have outlined for the company." In light of the deal, Trophy Games has revised its financial guidance for 2026. The updated outlook projects revenue in the range of €22.8 million to €24.1 million, an upward revision from the previous forecast of €20.1 million to €22.4 million. This optimistic outlook reflects the anticipated contribution of Playrion’s existing titles as well as the future series that will spin out of Airport Simulator.
Playrion itself was founded in 2010 and was acquired by Paradox Interactive in 2020. Based in Paris, the studio built a reputation for creating high‑quality mobile simulation experiences, with Airport Simulator: First Class becoming one of its flagship products. The title allows players to design, manage, and expand a virtual airport, combining detailed aircraft handling with broader strategic planning. Its success has attracted a dedicated community of aviation enthusiasts and casual gamers alike, making it an attractive asset for a company looking to deepen its foothold in the simulation genre.
Looking ahead, Trophy Games intends to invest heavily in expanding the Airport Simulator universe. Potential directions include adding new aircraft types, expanding airport infrastructure options, introducing multiplayer components, and integrating more realistic weather and air‑traffic control systems.
By capitalising on Playrion’s mobile‑first development expertise, Trophy Games hopes to deliver a series of titles that appeal both to the existing fan base and to new players drawn by richer, more immersive gameplay. The broader industry context also supports the move.
Mobile gaming continues to outpace traditional platforms in terms of user growth and revenue generation, and simulation games have carved out a niche that blends casual accessibility with deep strategic depth. By marrying Playrion’s proven mobile pedigree with Trophy Games’ experience in publishing and scaling simulation franchises, the combined entity is well‑positioned to capture a larger slice of this expanding market. In summary, the acquisition of Playrion represents a landmark transaction for Trophy Games, marking its largest purchase to date and signalling a clear intent to build a multi‑title simulation franchise anchored by Airport Simulator.
With a solid financial foundation, a clear strategic vision, and a talented development team now under its umbrella, Trophy Games is poised to turn this new acquisition into a sustainable engine for future growth.