Based on data released by Sensor Tower in February 2025, global weekly mobile game spend has surpassed $1.54 billion, while weekly downloads have just shy of reached one billion. Overall, revenue jumped 4% compared to 2023, while downloads took a 6% dip. It seems developers are offsetting the cost of lower user acquisition with stronger monetization strategies. Strategy and Puzzle games are proving to be heavy hitters. While they represent just 4% of global downloads, they account for a massive 21.4% of consumer spend. Although games like Evony: The King’s Return and Brawl Stars may not have the highest user acquisition numbers, their monetization strategies are clearly paying off.
David Guo – Drives Members to Reach Potential
Speaking of Evony, its developer, Top Games Inc., founded in 2015 in the U.S., has been a force in the mobile gaming industry. Under the leadership of David Guo, an entrepreneur with years of software development and project management experience, Top Games has successfully attracted cross-disciplinary talent. The company’s constant evolution isn’t just about product updates; its corporate culture and team management are also continually iterating. Recently, they’ve introduced an “elite team” culture, focusing on breaking down communication barriers, fostering a task-oriented, data-driven environment, and ensuring every member works towards clear, actionable goals. This approach is helping Top Games maintain its long-term growth and stay ahead in a competitive industry.
David places a high value on tapping into each team member’s potential. Through open communication and innovative thinking, he aligns personal motivations with corporate goals. He fosters an entrepreneurial spirit across the company, encouraging everyone to think like a founder.
Monetization Strategies That Work
When it comes to monetization, David is a firm believer in user-oriented design thinking, which means that monetization strategies are built on the foundation of user experience. Without user satisfaction, monetization is impossible. Yet, finding the balance is key — over-monetization risks frustrating players, while under-monetization leaves the company struggling to fund future projects. Top Games has mastered this balance, with Evony consistently generating over $300 million in revenue annually for the past three years. As an independent game developer, Top Games has set a strong precedent for monetization strategies that benefit both players and the company.
David, who graduated with a degree in Physics from Sun Yat-sen University, has always had a passion for software development. In 1998, he developed a firewall software, Skynet, followed by a currency system and the social app Hi. Later, he led his team into the gaming industry and founded Top Games. In 2016, they successfully launched Evony: The King’s Return. The following year, the game made its debut in a Super Bowl ad, gaining significant exposure and skyrocketing in rankings. By September 2022, Evony had ranked #5 in Data.ai’s list of Top Ten U.S.-Headquartered Mid-Core Games, and in the same year, it won the Samsung Galaxy Store’s Best MMO Award.
“By 2025, we’re implementing a major organizational shift with the ‘elite team’ strategy,” David Guo says. “We will develop a company culture focused on high standards and performance, enabling rapid innovation and exceptional quality in this fiercely competitive market.”
