Danish development house Trophy Games has completed 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 cash payment up front, supplemented by a three‑year earn‑out that is tied to Playrion’s net revenue performance. As part of the deal, roughly 30 members of Playrion’s staff will be integrated into Trophy Games’ existing workforce, expanding the company’s talent pool and technical capabilities.
"This is a landmark moment for Trophy Games," said founder and chief executive Søren Gleie. "We've been watching Playrion for the last four years and have always regarded them as one of our strongest rivals.
Because we understand their products, their development culture, and the niche they serve, the strategic fit is unmistakable." Gleie added that the acquisition will allow Trophy Games to leverage Playrion’s expertise in mobile simulation to diversify its portfolio and accelerate growth. Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, echoed the sentiment, noting that the sale aligns Paradox’s focus on its core publishing and development strategy for PC and console strategy games. "Playrion is a highly capable mobile‑first developer with an impressive track record, and we are pleased to hand the studio over to an owner that is committed to nurturing its future," Wester said. Trophy Games plans to treat Airport Simulator as the foundation for an entirely new series of simulation titles.
The company previously employed a similar model in 2021 when it acquired Airline Manager 4, a move that sparked a period of rapid expansion and set the template for building a franchise around an already proven game concept. "We now have a clear recipe for taking a title that has demonstrated market demand and turning it into a multi‑title franchise," Gleie explained. "We applied that formula successfully with Airline Manager, and we see the same potential with Airport Simulator.
If we can replicate that success, Playrion will become a brand‑new growth pillar for Trophy Games." The acquisition arrives at a time when Trophy Games is positioning itself for further scaling. The studio currently has six games in active development and reports that its revenue has more than quadrupled over the past five years. This financial momentum has provided the capital necessary to pursue larger deals, with Playrion representing the biggest purchase in the company’s history.
"Our growth strategy has always been about strategic acquisitions that complement our existing strengths, and Playrion is the next logical step," Gleie said. In light of the deal, Trophy Games has revised its financial outlook for 2026. The revised projection now anticipates 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 adjustment reflects both the immediate contribution of Playrion’s existing products 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. During its tenure under Paradox, the studio focused on mobile simulation experiences, gaining a reputation for high‑quality graphics, realistic physics, and a deep understanding of aviation enthusiasts’ expectations. Airport Simulator: First Class, its flagship title, allows players to design, manage, and operate a virtual airport, handling everything from runway layout to airline contracts.
The game has amassed a dedicated community and generated consistent revenue through in‑app purchases and regular content updates. Looking ahead, Trophy Games intends to build on Playrion’s existing technology stack and expertise to broaden the scope of the Airport Simulator series. Potential expansions could include more detailed aircraft modeling, integration of real‑world airport data, multiplayer features that let users collaborate on airport management, and cross‑platform compatibility that brings the experience to consoles and PC.
By leveraging Playrion’s mobile‑first design philosophy while injecting Trophy Games’ broader simulation know‑how, the combined entity aims to create a suite of titles that cater to both casual mobile gamers and hardcore simulation fans. Industry observers note that this acquisition underscores a growing trend of consolidation within the simulation genre, where larger studios are seeking to acquire niche developers with proven IPs and strong community engagement. For Trophy Games, the move not only diversifies its revenue streams but also positions the company as a more formidable player in the global simulation market, competing alongside established names such as Maxis, Paradox, and Frontier.
In summary, the purchase of Playrion and its Airport Simulator franchise marks a pivotal expansion for Trophy Games. With a sizable cash injection, a performance‑based earn‑out, and the addition of 30 skilled developers, the Danish studio is set to transform a successful mobile simulation into a multi‑title franchise that could become a cornerstone of its future growth strategy. The revised financial outlook and the company’s confidence in replicating its earlier success with Airline Manager suggest that Trophy Games is poised for a new phase of accelerated development and market penetration.