In the world of mobile gaming, where many games seem like a sea of sameness, Top Games Inc. (TGI) is the lighthouse cutting through the fog. Founded in 2015 by David Guo and Benjamin Gifford, this dynamic duo has refused to follow the herd. They’ve swapped predictability for bold creativity, and in a market swamped with cookie-cutter games, Top Games stands out like a colorful reef in an otherwise gray ocean. Their mission? To put players first, and bring immersive, globally connected experiences that actually feel fresh.
Breaking the Mold: Top Games’ Rise
Top Games Inc. quickly made a name for itself with its flagship title, Evony: The King’s Return. Launched in 2016, this real-time strategy MMO captivated players with its dynamic battles, empire-building mechanics, and rich historical content. Players could engage in iconic clashes like the Battle of Constantinople and the Battle of Gaugamela, all while managing resources, training troops, and expanding their kingdoms across seven vast lands.
But what truly set Evony apart was not just its gameplay but its performance in the market. In 2022, the game generated $385.8 million in net revenue, marking a 1.5x increase from the previous year. By 2023, it had surpassed $355.4 million in global revenue, accumulating over 200 million downloads. These impressive figures were not just the result of flashy advertising or gimmicks but a testament to the high-quality user experience that Top Games champions. For Evony, innovation wasn’t just about adding new features—it was about listening to the players, adapting, and evolving with their needs.
Visionary Leadership: David Guo & Benjamin Gifford
At the heart of Top Games' success lies the visionary leadership of David Guo (also known as Yaoqi Guo), the company’s founder and CEO. With over 25 years of experience in software development, game design, and user experience (UX), David has always placed players first. His focus on data-driven development and user-first principles has led Top Games through a successful transition from social media-based flash games to the highly profitable mobile gaming industry.
David’s leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful: "When you see a problem, work fast to find a way to make it better." It’s this agility that has allowed Top Games to stay ahead of the curve, constantly evolving in response to industry trends and player feedback. His emphasis on creating a culture of rapid prototyping and iteration has allowed the company to stay nimble and deliver high-quality updates that keep players engaged.
Supporting David is Benjamin Gifford, the Vice President of Top Games. Benjamin brings over a decade of experience in the gaming industry, specializing in game design, marketing, and strategy. Together, David and Benjamin form a dynamic duo—a modern-day Batman and Robin, if you will—driving Top Games to ever-greater heights. Their combined focus on excellence, user-centric development, and fostering a creative culture has played a crucial role in the company’s success.
Featuring “Design, Build, and Break”
What truly differentiates Top Games from its competitors is its "design, build, and break" approach. Unlike companies that strive for perfection in each release, Top Games focuses on rapid deployment and fast iterations, ensuring that every new feature is tested, refined, and optimized in real-time based on user feedback. This method not only keeps the games fresh but also ensures that they continue to meet the evolving demands of players.
This agile approach, championed by David and Benjamin, encourages the team to break things—literally and figuratively—so they can rebuild better. As Benjamin explains, “The focus is not on being everything to everyone but on achieving excellence in everything we do.” By using data science to drive decision-making, Top Games consistently refines its games to deliver the best possible user experience.
What’s Next for Top Games?
Looking ahead, Top Games is poised for continued growth. The company aims to expand its global footprint, with plans to ensure all its products rank among the top 100 grossing apps worldwide. Under David and Benjamin’s leadership, Top Games is not just focused on expanding its library of games but on innovating with every new project to ensure that players have access to cutting-edge features, stunning graphics, and gameplay that keeps them coming back.
With the gaming market projected to reach $473.7 billion by 2027, driven by advances in cloud gaming, virtual reality, and augmented reality, Top Games is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. The company’s rapid response to market demands and its commitment to user-centered design make it a standout in a sea of competitors.
The success of Evony: The King’s Return is just the beginning for Top Games. The company’s focus on quality and user experience has helped it stand out in a crowded market, but it’s the people-first mentality that truly sets it apart. By continuously evolving based on player feedback and pushing the boundaries of mobile gaming, Top Games is paving the way for future success.
As the company continues to innovate, there’s no doubt that Top Games Inc. will remain a key player in the global gaming landscape—leading the charge in creating games that are not only fun to play but also deliver long-lasting value to players worldwide.
