Indie game developers show unique skills and qualities on their journey. They balance creativity, technical expertise, and market awareness. Particularly, they exhibit great adaptability and determination in game development. In the cutthroat gaming market, “Evony: The King’s Return” ( Evony TKR), produced by Top Games, Inc. (TGI) has been attracting over 200 million global users for seven years under CEO David Guo and Vice President Benjamin Gifford.
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca
Making good game is hard
Creating a successful game is an intricate process requiring a blend of technical skills, creative vision, and strategic planning. The challenges inherent in game development highlight why making good games is exceptionally difficult. Successful game developers exhibit exceptional skill, creativity, and resilience, continuously adapting to new technologies and player expectations. This multifaceted nature of game development underscores why crafting a high-quality game is such a formidable task. The reason why Evony TKR, produced by TGI, has achieved outstanding success and is loved by many players is that it excels in all aspects, blends well with innovation and market research, employs effective profitability strategies, and continues to help the business grow while ensuring the game remains fun.
VP Benjamin: Game Design Innovation
Benjamin Gifford’s journey in the gaming sector dates back to 2009. His rich background in intellectual property commercialization has been pivotal at Top Games Inc. Here, he has nurtured a culture that prioritizes excellence over perfection. Benjamin believes that to maintain innovation, the team needs to keep up with industry trends, follow technological advancements, foster open communication within the team, encourage brainstorming and idea sharing, and be open to criticism and willing to make changes. The entire team adopts OKR management to ensure the completion of goals at each stage and ensures all team members are aligned with the game’s goals.
“The market and technology are changing rapidly, and entrepreneurs need to be quick to adapt and flexible in response. We encourage our team to actively explore new technological applications to guide all aspects of game development. We do not fear new things; adapting to technological challenges is a fundamental quality of a good game developer,” Benjamin said.
Commitment to Collaboration and Support
Benjamin also underscores the essence of support and seamless communication. His diverse responsibilities span game design, marketing, and strategic business planning. Renowned for his pragmatic approach to problem-solving, Benjamin leads ‘Tiger Teams’ to confront challenges directly, ensuring robust and enduring solutions.
Benjamin explained, ‘The effectiveness of communication largely determines a team’s execution efficiency. We have a flat organizational structure, where we quickly assemble key executors for important projects to ensure rapid execution. For routine tasks, communication does not exceed three hierarchical levels, focusing on quickly identifying and resolving issues.’
Benjamin is steadfast in maintaining the team’s core values and objectives. He cultivates a space where team members are encouraged to voice their ideas and contribute meaningfully. Under his mentorship, Top Games Inc. has witnessed not only the exponential growth of ‘Evony’ but also the fostering of a dynamic and creative work environment.
The Road Ahead
As the story of Top Games Inc. unfolds, the team led by CEO David Guo and VP Benjamin Gifford keeps making exciting games. They stay updated with new technology and adapt to different game types. This focus on innovation helps Top Games Inc. stay successful in the gaming world for a long time.
As we said at the beginning, making good games is a very difficult task. The success or failure of a game studio depends on many core factors. Only studios that have clear goals, excel in team management and goal orientation, constantly improve their learning and experimenting abilities, and possess excellent adaptability have the chance to grow. These studios can find opportunities in emerging technologies, face challenges without fear, and enhance the company’s innovation.
