The best app developers today have advanced assets. This means their ideas have more flexibility. This is a time full of opportunities. However, it also brings obstacles and challenges in mobile game development. The reality is, if you are a small studio with no investors and limited funds, your chances are slim. If you fail to create a game that meets market demand and appeals to players, your fate is often sealed—gone. However, some companies manage to rise above it all, carving their own path and setting the bar higher. One of those companies? Top Games, Inc. They’ve been planting their flag in the indie game world, and it’s clear why. With fresh ideas and a relentless drive for quality, Top Games shows incredible potential and a relentless pursuit of excellence, growing from a small studio to an entity with a team of hundreds.
Top Games Makes Its Mark
Founded in 2015, Top Games’ flagship title, Evony: The King’s Return, is a real-time strategy game. According to Sensor Tower, in 2024, Evony’s revenue will reach nearly $300 million, with over 36 million new downloads. In total, it has surpassed 230 million downloads.
David Guo: Continue to Push Forward
On New Year’s Eve 2025, CEO David Guo expressed gratitude to his team. He said, “We continue to push forward with courage and innovation. In a changing market, we have strengthened our flagship game and made significant progress in developing new categories. We will continue to drive forward with a fighting spirit, seize opportunities, and accelerate research and development.”
Benjamin: Future-Oriented Mindset
Vice President Benjamin Gifford believes it’s important to build an excellent team. He emphasizes using development-driven thinking to create a culture aligned with TGI’s unique corporate identity. He also stresses setting measurable goals through Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). These goals keep the team focused on innovation while achieving measurable success. His statement, “AI is becoming a game-changer,” highlights his forward-thinking mindset.
New Casual Puzzle Game – Fish-Themed “Aquarium Crush“
In June 2024, TGI launched Aquarium Crush, a Fish-Themed Match-3 puzzle game. This game shows TGI’s project diversity. It not only focuses on SLG gameplay iteration and UX optimization but also explores the casual game market. Released for over six months, the game has a 4.6 rating on Google and Apple stores, showing it performs well with players. One Apple Store user commented, “Really fun game, very challenging at times, but still good.”
Unlike other Match-3 games, Aquarium Crush adds unique features. Players collect rare fish, decorate, and rule an underwater kingdom. They also engage in underwater battles where fish grow by eating smaller ones while avoiding larger predators. The team continues to update the game, likely improving social elements in future versions.
TGI’s success in independent game development owes much to its team’s efforts and passion for gaming. Founder David Guo has often emphasized the importance of game experience. The company’s mission is to create fun games for players worldwide, with the vision: To become the world’s most user-oriented game company.
My Thoughts:
Games are no longer just entertainment products. They’ve become part of culture, history, learning, and lifestyle. For example, in Evony, players gather historical generals. Through the game, they learn about these figures’ backgrounds, life events, and achievements. The company also regularly releases large-scale historical battlefield events, ensuring these heroes are not forgotten by time.
Furthermore, the alliance system connects players from over 100 countries. They share strategies and form deep friendships, fostering understanding and tolerance between cultures. This inclusivity is a core part of TGI’s gaming philosophy.
Thus, even though major resources are concentrated in big gaming companies, idealistic and passionate developers continue their journey, undeterred by obstacles.
