Top Games’ Ongoing Mission: Deliver Fun Games to the World
In recent years, Evony: The King’s Return has continued its remarkable ascent in the global mobile gaming market. According to data from Sensor Tower, the game generated $385,751,902 in net revenue in 2022, marking a 1.5-fold increase compared with its 2021 revenue of $221,676,485. For a title released several years earlier, this level of sustained growth is rare—proof that the game has not only retained its player base but also expanded globally with surprising momentum.
Behind this commercial success stands Top Games Inc., the developer responsible for Evony’s continuous evolution. The company recently announced that it ranks as the fifth top-grossing American publisher worldwide on both Google Play and the Apple App Store—an achievement that places it in the same league as some of the industry’s most established giants.
Leadership with a Long-Term Vision
At the helm is Co-founder and CEO David Guo (Yaoqi Guo), who brings more than 25 years of experience spanning software engineering, game development, and network security. His background gives him a technical edge rarely seen at the executive level, allowing him to approach gaming not only as entertainment but also as a complex system that must scale cleanly, securely, and reliably.
More and more gamers are discovering our titles'fun and innovative offerings that deliver what they promise, play no tricks onplayers and provide a wholesome RPG gaming experience,” said David Guo.
Working alongside him is Vice President Benjamin Gifford, who oversees game design, marketing, operations, and business strategy. Benjamin’s role extends far beyond creative direction; he is deeply involved in shaping the company’s internal culture, growth mechanisms, and long-term planning. The combination of David’s technical rigor and Benjamin’s strategic thinking forms the backbone of Top Games Inc.’s leadership—one that emphasises innovation, user-centred design, and disciplined execution.
A Clear Mission: Deliver Enjoyable Games to the World
Top Games Inc.’s mission is straightforward: create games that people genuinely enjoy. But achieving this is anything but simple. The company employs teams of designers, engineers, data analysts, artists, and community specialists who share the same philosophy—focus on the player’s experience above all else.
Rather than chasing trends, the company prioritises long-term playability. This means designing systems that remain engaging for years, not weeks; building communities that feel meaningful; and ensuring that even newcomers can understand the core mechanics without feeling overwhelmed. Behind the scenes, the teams work continuously on balance updates, server stability, and user feedback, reinforcing the idea that a successful game is a living, evolving product.
Evony’s Global Appeal
At the centre of the company’s portfolio is Evony: The King’s Return, a real-time strategy title that has grown into a global phenomenon. Its appeal lies in its blend of strategy, city building, alliance cooperation, and historical immersion. Players from different regions and language backgrounds can select a favourite civilization—ranging from China and America to Europe, Japan, and Korea—and develop their territories while forming alliances with others.
One of the game’s distinctive features is the ability to recruit legendary generals from real-world history, including George Washington, Genghis Khan, Qin Shi Huang, Alexander the Great, and Oda Nobunaga. This combination of strategy and historical character collection gives the game depth without sacrificing accessibility, which is a key reason players stay engaged for months or even years.
Top Games Inc. continues to expand Evony through regular updates, new features, seasonal events, and community-building initiatives. The goal is not only to maintain the game’s existing success but to ensure it evolves in step with modern player expectations.
While Evony is the flagship title, the company has also been developing a broader game ecosystem. Current and upcoming projects include Plague of Z, Mafia Origin, Alliance of Glory, King Legion, Infinity Clan, and Dream Journey Makeover. These titles span genres—strategy, casual, RPG, survival—which reflects the company’s interest in diversifying rather than relying on a single franchise.
Each project builds on the company’s accumulated expertise: streamlined interfaces, scalable systems, player-first features, and global localisation. By extending its portfolio, Top Games Inc. strengthens its position in the competitive mobile market and reduces dependency on any one title—an important step for long-term stability.
How the Leadership Thinks
CEO David Guo often emphasises a core principle:
“Success comes from designing games from the player’s perspective, not the designer’s.”
To him, entertainment must be intuitive. If players struggle to navigate menus, understand mechanics, or connect with others, the core experience collapses. His philosophy prioritises simplicity, clarity, and community—the foundations of a game that remains enjoyable over time.
Vice President Benjamin Gifford highlights a different but complementary principle:
the importance of stretching beyond comfort zones.
He believes teams should avoid the mentality of “job protection mode”, which limits creativity and growth. Instead, he pushes for continuous improvement, rigorous iteration, and the determination to outperform previous achievements. For Benjamin, excellence is not a one-time milestone but a daily discipline—one that requires persistence, method, and a willingness to challenge assumptions.