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 with an upfront cash payment of €2.25 million and a performance‑based earn‑out that will be paid over the next three years, tied to the net revenue generated by the acquired assets.
As part of the deal, Playrion’s entire workforce—approximately 30 staff members—will be integrated into Trophy Games’ existing operations. This infusion of talent brings experienced designers, programmers, artists, and live‑ops specialists who have been responsible for building and maintaining Airport Simulator, a title that has attracted a sizable global audience of aviation enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
"This acquisition is a true milestone for Trophy Games," said Søren Gleie, founder and chief executive officer of the company. "We have been watching Playrion for the past four years and have always considered them one of our strongest competitors. Because we know the studio, its games, and the market dynamics inside out, we see a clear strategic fit." Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, added his perspective on the sale: "The transaction aligns with our broader strategy to concentrate on developing and publishing core strategy and management titles for PC and console platforms.
Playrion is an exceptionally capable mobile‑game studio with a solid track record, and we are pleased to hand it over to an owner who is committed to nurturing its future growth." Trophy Games plans to leverage Airport Simulator as the foundation for a new line of simulation titles. The company has previously employed a similar approach, most notably in 2021 when it acquired Airline Manager 4. That acquisition sparked the beginning of a rapid expansion phase, allowing Trophy Games to build a portfolio of interrelated simulation experiences. "We now have a proven formula for taking a game that already demonstrates market demand and expanding it into a full‑blown series," Gleie explained.
"We successfully executed that model 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 our business." The CEO also highlighted the broader context of Trophy Games' growth trajectory.
The studio currently has six projects in active development, ranging from flight‑simulators to logistics and city‑building games. Over the past five years, the company has more than quadrupled its revenue, giving it the financial muscle to pursue larger acquisitions such as this one.
"Playrion is the biggest acquisition we have ever made, and it represents a logical next step in the growth strategy we have outlined over the last few years," Gleie said. "Our financial position is strong, and we are ready to invest further in talent, technology, and marketing to ensure these new titles reach a worldwide audience." Following the acquisition, Trophy Games 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 previous estimate of €20.1 million to €22.4 million. The upward revision reflects the anticipated contribution of Playrion’s existing user base, as well as the expected revenue from future expansions of the Airport Simulator franchise and other upcoming releases.
Playrion itself was originally founded in 2010 and was based in Paris. It became part of Paradox Interactive in 2020, a move that helped the studio scale its operations and reach a broader audience.
Under Paradox’s ownership, Playrion continued to refine Airport Simulator, adding new aircraft, airports, and gameplay features that kept the title fresh and engaging for its community. The acquisition by Trophy Games is expected to bring additional resources and expertise to the development pipeline. By combining Playrion’s deep knowledge of mobile simulation mechanics with Trophy Games’ experience in publishing and cross‑platform distribution, the merged entity aims to deliver richer, more immersive simulation experiences across both mobile and console ecosystems.
Industry analysts view the deal as a sign of consolidation within the simulation genre, where successful niche titles can be expanded into multi‑title franchises with the backing of larger publishers. The move also underscores the growing importance of mobile gaming as a launchpad for titles that can later be adapted for other platforms, creating a diversified revenue stream. In summary, Trophy Games’ acquisition of Playrion not only adds a proven mobile simulation title to its portfolio but also brings a skilled team capable of iterating and expanding that title into a broader franchise.
With a solid financial base, an updated revenue outlook, and a clear strategic vision, Trophy Games is positioning itself to become a leading player in the simulation market, using Playrion as a catalyst for its next phase of growth.