Danish game developer Trophy Games has announced the purchase of Playrion, the studio behind the popular mobile title Airport Simulator: First Class, from Paradox Interactive. The transaction is structured as a €2.25 million upfront cash payment together with a three‑year earn‑out that is tied to Playrion’s net revenue performance.
As part of the deal, roughly thirty staff members from Playrion will be integrated into Trophy Games’ existing teams, expanding the company’s talent pool and development capacity. "This is a landmark moment for Trophy Games," said founder and chief executive officer Søren Gleie.
"We have been watching Playrion for the past four years and have long recognised them as one of our strongest rivals. Because we understand their games, their technology and the niche market they serve, the fit feels almost natural. The strategic alignment is clear and we are confident this acquisition will accelerate our long‑term ambitions." Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, added his perspective on the sale: "Our objective is to concentrate on our core strategy of developing and publishing deep‑strategy and management titles for PC and console platforms.
Playrion is a highly capable mobile‑first studio with a solid track record, and we are pleased to hand the reins over to an owner that is committed to nurturing its future growth." Trophy Games intends to use Airport Simulator as the foundation for a new franchise of simulation titles. The company has already employed a similar model in 2021 when it acquired Airline Manager 4, a move that sparked a period of rapid expansion.
Gleie explained that the company now has a proven formula for taking an existing game that has demonstrated market demand and building a full series around it. "We repeated that success with Airline Manager, and we see the same potential with Airport Simulator.
If we can replicate the model, Playrion could become an entirely new growth pillar for Trophy Games," he said. The acquisition comes at a time when Trophy Games reports that it is in "a very good position for further growth," with six titles currently in development across a variety of genres. Over the past five years the company has more than quadrupled its revenue, giving it the financial muscle to pursue larger deals. "Playrion is our biggest acquisition to date and a clear signal that we are executing the growth strategy we have set out," Gleie noted.
Financially, the purchase has prompted Trophy Games to revise its 2026 outlook. The firm now expects revenue in the range of €22.8 million to €24.1 million, up from the earlier forecast of €20.1 million to €22.4 million.
This upward revision reflects both the immediate boost from Playrion’s existing user base and the longer‑term upside from the planned expansion of the Airport Simulator franchise. 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 that appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers. Airport Simulator: First Class, its flagship product, allows players to design, manage and operate a virtual airport, blending realistic aircraft handling with strategic resource management. The game has amassed a sizable global audience, generating steady in‑app purchase revenue and strong user engagement metrics. By bringing Playrion into its fold, Trophy Games not only gains a proven product but also inherits a seasoned development team with deep expertise in mobile simulation mechanics, user‑experience design, and live‑ops services.
The integration is expected to foster cross‑pollination of ideas between the two studios, enabling Trophy Games to leverage Playrion’s mobile‑first mindset while applying its own experience in multi‑platform releases. Industry analysts view the move as part of a broader trend where mid‑size European developers are consolidating to achieve scale, diversify portfolios, and better compete with larger publishers.
The acquisition also underscores the growing importance of mobile simulation games, a segment that has shown resilience even as the broader mobile market becomes increasingly crowded. Looking ahead, Trophy Games plans to roll out the first new installment in the Airport Simulator series by the end of 2025, with additional expansions and spin‑offs slated for the following years. The company also hinted at the possibility of integrating some of Playrion’s technology into its existing titles, potentially enhancing graphics, AI, and monetisation features across the board.
In summary, the purchase of Playrion represents a strategic bet by Trophy Games to deepen its foothold in the simulation genre, diversify its revenue streams, and capitalize on a proven mobile franchise. With a solid financial base, a clear growth roadmap, and a talented new team onboard, the Danish studio is poised to turn Airport Simulator into a cornerstone of its future portfolio, while offering Paradox Interactive the opportunity to refocus on its core strategic priorities.