The mobile gaming market is growing at an unprecedented speed. The Mobile Gaming Market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 10.75% during the forecast period (2025 – 2032). In the realm of strategy mobile games, one cannot overlook the addictive mid-core strategy game Evony: The King’s Return, which in 2024 surpassed 230 million downloads. Players can construct their medieval cities, assemble armies of heroes, engage in diplomacy with fellow players, and wage wars against rival kingdoms in the game.
Top Games Inc., the developer behind Evony, was founded in 2015. Over the past 9 years, the company has developed a diverse range of cross-genre games that offer players fun and excitement, spanning themes such as tribes, zombies, match-3 aquarium puzzles, and fashion style games.
David Guo and Benjamin Gifford are the navigational compass and the powerful engine behind Top Games Inc.’s ship. They lead the company with a clear vision: to create high-quality, user-first games that stand out in the competitive mobile gaming industry. Their approach, known as “Design, Build, and Break,” shapes how their team develops new projects, manages teams, and enhances player experiences.
The “Design, Build, and Break” Methodology
This approach ensures that every game is polished, tested, and improved before launch. It follows three simple but effective steps:
- Design – The team starts with clear concepts and structured planning, focusing on user needs and innovative mechanics.
- Build – Developers create the core features. They test, refine, and ensure the game meets high-quality standards.
- Break – The team stress-tests the game, identifies weak points, gathers feedback, and refines the experience before final release.
This method allows Top Games Inc. to produce engaging, user-friendly, and innovative mobile games.
Effective Team Management Under Guo & Gifford
David Guo and Benjamin Gifford believe that strong teams create strong games. They focus on efficiency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Agile Workflow – Teams work in small, focused groups. Each group tackles specific challenges and features.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making – Every choice is backed by user feedback and in-game analytics.
- Open Communication – The company promotes a culture of transparency. Developers, designers, and analysts work closely together.
Guo and Gifford’s goal is clear: to deliver top-tier games that stand out in the industry. Quality is non-negotiable. Their philosophy has helped Evony: The King’s Return and other titles achieve strong player retention and high revenue.
The Future of Top Games Inc.
Future games may blend strategy, action, and adventure elements. For the flagship game Evony, there should be a stronger emphasis on social features, in-app purchases, and the design of mixed gameplay mechanics to keep the game fresh and challenging for players.
