Epic Games vs Paradox Interactive

Doki Doki Literature Club Returns to Android via Epic Games Store

Epic Games is bringing Serenity Forge's Doki Doki Literature Club back to Android as an Epic Games Store-exclusive, following its removal from the Google Play Store in April 2026 due to sensitive themes. The game will be available later today, with a placeholder page already live on the Epic Games Store. It remains rated 18+ with warnings about disturbing content. The game is still unavailable on Google Play, but remains on other storefronts like Apple's App Store, Nintendo's eShop, PlayStation Store, and Steam. Serenity Forge had previously stated it was exploring alternate distribution methods for Android. Neither Epic nor Serenity Forge provided official confirmation at the time of publication.

• Epic Games is bringing Doki Doki Literature Club back to Android as an Epic Games Store-exclusive.
• The game was removed from the Google Play Store in April 2026 due to sensitive themes.
• A placeholder page for the game is live on the Epic Games Store, but it can only be wishlisted for now.

Epic Games Store Adds Age Verification for R18+ Games in Australia

Epic Games will require Australian players to verify they are 18 or older before purchasing or downloading R18+ rated games on the Epic Games Store starting September 9, 2026. The change complies with Australia's online safety regulations. Players can verify their age via a selfie analyzed by Yoti, a credit card check through Stripe, a government-issued ID via Veriff, or ConnectID (available later this month). Existing games and titles rated below R18+ are unaffected. The verification is privacy-preserving, with data not shared with Epic's Kids Web Services.

• Epic Games Store will require age verification for R18+ games in Australia from September 9, 2026.
• Verification methods include selfie analysis by Yoti, credit card check via Stripe, government ID via Veriff, and ConnectID.
• The change is to comply with Australia's online safety regulations.

Epic Games Launches Cross-Ecosystem Voice Chat Parties

Epic Games has launched Epic Parties, a new social feature enabling cross-ecosystem voice chat across Fortnite, the Epic Games Store, and Epic's mobile apps. This allows players to communicate seamlessly across different platforms and devices, including transferring ongoing voice chats without interruption. The feature integrates with Fortnite lobbies, so friends accepting invites join the same game session. Epic plans to expand social features beyond Fortnite later this year, including to Rocket League in 2026, and aims to make these social tools available to third-party developers across platforms and engines by 2027. The launch is part of Epic's broader strategy to create an open social ecosystem where connections and purchases can move between games.

• Epic Games launched Epic Parties, a cross-ecosystem voice chat feature.
• Epic Parties works across Fortnite, Epic Games Store, and Epic mobile apps.
• Players can transfer voice chats between devices without dropping audio.

Trophy Games Acquires Playrion from Paradox

Trophy Games, a Copenhagen-based mobile games developer, has agreed to acquire Playrion, the Paris-based studio behind Airlines Manager and Airport Simulator: First Class, from Paradox Interactive. The deal, expected to close on September 30, 2026, is Trophy Games' largest acquisition to date, with an upfront cash payment of €2.25 million ($2.6 million) and potential earnouts over the next three years. Playrion, which has about 30 employees and generates annual revenue of around €4 million ($4.6 million), will continue operating from its Paris studio. Trophy Games plans to leverage Airport Simulator's technology to build a new series of simulation games, a strategy Playrion used successfully with Airline Manager 4. The acquisition is funded from existing cash reserves. Following the deal, Trophy Games raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $25.9-27.4 million and EBITDA to $4.4-5.3 million.

• Trophy Games acquires Playrion from Paradox Interactive for €2.25 million ($2.6 million) upfront cash.
• Deal includes potential earnouts of 9% of net revenue over three years, with closing expected September 30, 2026.
• Playrion has ~30 employees and annual revenue of ~€4 million ($4.6 million).

Paradox Interactive Sells Playrion to Trophy Games

Paradox Interactive has sold Playrion to Trophy Games, as announced in a press release dated September 25, 2026. This is a significant corporate transaction involving the divestiture of a subsidiary.

Colossal Order CEO Discusses Paradox Split and New PC Simulation Game

Mariina Hallikainen, CEO of Colossal Order, discusses the studio's recent split from Paradox Interactive after 15 years and four games, including Cities: Skylines. The decision was driven by a desire to pursue new creative directions rather than continue the franchise for another decade. Colossal Order now has sufficient funding to self-publish, but remains open to partnerships based on collaboration and trust. The studio, known for simulation games, is developing a new PC simulation title, leveraging its 17 years of experience. Hallikainen also touches on challenges of hiring in Tampere, Finland, and offers advice to the Nordic games industry about targeting specific audiences.

• Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive parted ways in November 2025.
• Cities: Skylines II development moved to Paradox-owned Iceflake Studios in early 2026.
• Colossal Order can now fund its own development without publisher support.