Everplay Bets on New Games and Strong Back Catalogue

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Everplay Group plc, formerly known as Team17 Group plc, is an independent games label that brings together several well-known studios and publishers. Its portfolio includes Team17, which focuses on indie game publishing and development, Astragon Entertainment, a major publisher of simulation games in Europe, and StoryToys, which works on family and children’s titles.

In a trading update released on January 20, 2026, Everplay confirmed that Astragon made a major strategic change during the second half of fiscal year 2025. The publisher decided to fully exit its physical distribution business, which had been focused on selling boxed copies of simulation games. This included Astragon’s own titles such as Farming Simulator, Police Simulator, and Construction Simulator, as well as physical releases for partners like Focus Entertainment, Giants Software, Microids, and even Team17.

This was a significant move, as physical sales had previously been a large part of Astragon’s business. Farming Simulator 25 was the best-selling physical PC game of 2025 in Germany, according to GfK data, and its expansion pack also performed strongly. These results showed just how important physical distribution had been before the company chose to step away from it.

The decision had a clear effect on Everplay’s reported revenue. Group revenue for fiscal year 2025, which ends on December 31, 2025, is now expected to be broadly flat compared to the previous year. This falls below market expectations of around £173.6 million. However, the impact on profits was limited, as physical distribution was a low-margin business.

When physical sales are excluded, Everplay actually delivered mid-single-digit organic revenue growth. This growth was driven by a strong second half of the year across the group. New releases such as Date Everything! and SWORN from Team17, along with LEGO Bluey from StoryToys, performed well. The company also reported double-digit growth in first-party IP revenues, better sales from its back catalogue, and new licensing deals with Netflix.

Looking ahead, Everplay’s new CEO, Mikkel Weidder, said he is confident about the group’s future. He pointed to a strong release schedule for fiscal year 2026, which includes major first-party titles such as Hell Let Loose: Vietnam and Golf With Your Friends 2. He also highlighted growing platform partnerships and the continued strength of the company’s back catalogue.

Everplay has also continued to expand through acquisitions. During the year, the company bought a 20 percent stake in Super Media Group and secured long-term publishing rights to ten existing games, including Heavenly Bodies and Placid Plastic Duck Simulator. Everplay says it remains in a healthy cash position, leaving room for further deals. The company’s full-year financial results are expected to be published in late March 2026.