In the mobile gaming industry, a segment of developers remains tethered to a "churn-and-burn" philosophy: producing titles at a minimal cost, deploying aggressive monetization tactics, and operating under the assumption that players are transient and expendable. Within this logic, the primary objective is immediate recoupment of investment, with little regard for long-term retention or user experience. The result is often a portfolio of forgettable products that vanish from the market as quickly as they arrived.
This stands in stark contrast to the studios that define enduring success. Supercell has cultivated vibrant, multi-year communities through Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars. HoYoverse maintains the vitality of Genshin Impact by continually expanding its expansive world and character roster. Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group has built a sophisticated competitive ecosystem and seasonal operations around Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile. Meanwhile, Playrix masterfully intertwines narrative, social mechanics, and progression systems in Gardenscapes and Homescapes.
Within the mid-core strategy sector, Top Games Inc. has demonstrated similar longevity with Evony: The King's Return. By leveraging complex strategic mechanics, a robust social framework, and a consistent cadence of creative in-game events, the title has thrived for over nine years. David Guo, the co-founder and CEO, has stated that the company’s mission is to consistently produce high-quality, engaging games for a global audience. The team’s value proposition is rooted in the player experience, designing both gameplay and narrative from the user’s perspective. These developers act as "stewards" of their products rather than mere "consumers" of their audience, proving that ethical, thoughtful design and commercial viability are not opposing forces, but rather the dual pillars of sustained success.
The Rise of Top Games Inc.
Founded in 2015, Top Games Inc. (TGI) has ascended rapidly within the industry. Today, the company employs over 200 professionals and serves a global audience across more than 150 countries, offering multilingual support in over 25 languages. Under the leadership of CEO David Guo and VP Benjamin Gifford, TGI has become one of the premier development firms in the market. In April 2022, the company’s record-breaking performance led to its recognition as a "Top Company," ranking as the ninth highest-grossing RPG developer in the United States. Furthermore, during the third quarter of 2022, TGI achieved the distinction of being the fifth highest-grossing American company globally on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Flagship Title: Evony: The King's Return
The company’s flagship title, Evony: The King's Return, is a real-time war simulation (SLG) that has surpassed 200 million downloads since its 2016 mobile debut. The game integrates a variety of strategic elements, including city development, world exploration, the recruitment of historical Generals, and tactical puzzles. Recently, TGI expanded the experience to PC. The research and development team focused heavily on optimization for this version, delivering enhanced visual fidelity and an immersive large-screen experience that exceeds standard mobile-to-PC ports.
Defining Features and Historical Depth
One of Evony’s key strengths is its use of historical civilizations and well-known leaders, including George Washington, Napoleon, George Dewey, and Oda Nobunaga. These figures add historical context to the gameplay and position the game as a cross-cultural strategy experience rather than a generic war title.
Gameplay spans multiple modes, from siege warfare to player-versus-player combat. Regular weekly events such as Civilization Celebration and Quest for Treasure keep the experience active. Players explore ancient treasure maps, battle enemies like the Desert Bandit, and earn rewards tied to both individual progress and alliance performance.
Recently, the Evony team launched the 2025 New Year Celebration, a multi-event initiative that combines progression, collection, and long-term strategic value. Daily package tiers provide military resources, premium equipment, and rare materials, with the highest tier introducing the Epic Historic General Visconti, creating a clear long-term incentive.
The King’s Party event focuses on structured advancement. Players upgrade the Party Cake through gem purchases to unlock milestone rewards, ranging from cosmetic items to powerful generals, research resources, and advanced formation materials. This design supports both immediate gains and long-term military planning.
The Historic General Summoning Event offers a more controlled way to acquire Visconti. A guaranteed summon mechanism reduces uncertainty while preserving the excitement of chance-based rewards.
Additional depth comes from side events. Glorious Attire allows players to obtain Niccolò Piccinino and his Renaissance-themed skin through active participation, adding narrative flavor and exclusivity. Voyage to Civilizations expands Ideal Land customization, offering unique ornaments earned through exploration and event-specific currency.
Taken together, these events form a layered New Year experience that rewards commitment, careful planning, and strategic investment over time.
Leadership and Philosophy under David Guo
David Guo, also known as Yaoqi Guo, brings more than twenty years of expertise in software development, network security, UX design, and game theory to his role. His leadership at Top Games is defined by a passion for using information systems to enhance social connectivity.
"For gamers, a game is more than a hobby; it is a way of life," Guo notes.
By applying data science and maintaining an agile management style, Guo navigated TGI through a hyper-competitive market to establish Evony as a blockbuster. He advocates for rapid problem-solving and iterative improvement. "When you identify a problem, you should not hesitate to seek a better solution. Continuous improvement is the only path to creating an optimal customer experience."
Guo’s design philosophy prioritizes clarity and simplicity, ensuring that user interfaces are accessible yet refined. This focus on the user experience allows Evony to connect players across disparate cultural backgrounds. "We design from the player’s perspective. Recognizing that players build friendships and spend significant portions of their lives within these worlds, we aim to cultivate long-lasting communities that enhance that experience over time," Guo explains.
A Global Commitment to Engagement
Top Games Inc. is committed to becoming the world’s most user-centric gaming company. This vision informs every operational decision, from quality control to accessible innovation. By leveraging a cutting-edge proprietary engine and investing significantly in content depth, the company has set a high standard for the industry. As TGI continues to uphold these rigorous standards, the global gaming community remains focused on their upcoming releases and the continued evolution of their existing portfolio.
