Benjamin Gifford: Prioritizing the End-User at TopGames
Jul 2, 2024
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Benjamin Gifford, the Vice Development Director at Top Games Inc., is responsible for game design, marketing, and business strategy. Forming and guiding a specialized ‘Tiger Team’ has played a key role in developing and implementing solutions with lasting impacts on the company’s products.
Benjamin Gifford: Prioritizing the End-User
A notable aspect of Ben's approach is his emphasis on prioritizing the end-user in both game development and marketing strategies, earning and maintaining user trust is fundamental to the success of any game project.
“What makes Top Games unique is the focus on excellence. Using data science to break through personal bias, and OKRs to stretch ourselves to become better, we opt to work on the things which can lead to the biggest impact on our players,” said Benjamin Gifford.
The company’s flagship game, Evony: The King’s Return, a real-time war simulation game (SLG) on mobile platforms, has accumulated more than 200 million downloads since its release in 2016, becoming a popular free-to-play strategy game.
Evony combines various strategy game elements, including main city development, exploration, the recruitment of historically renowned Generals, epic battles, and challenging puzzles. The game is now also available on PC, with the TGI R&D team optimizing the PC version to present an enhanced visual experience and a true large-screen gaming experience.
Ben thinks Evony's widespread popularity can be attributed to its engaging gameplay, strategic depth, and vibrant community, which appeals to both new and veteran players. This success underscores the importance of community engagement and the need for continuous game evolution. These insights guide the development strategy at Top Games Inc., focusing on user-centric designs that cultivate a strong, engaged player base. The company's commitment to prioritizing user experience has been key to maintaining Evony’s top-grossing status, reflecting a long-term emphasis on community building over the short-term gains often pursued by competitors.
Top Games Inc. experienced strong revenue growth in 2022
In 2022, Top Games Inc. achieved a significant milestone. Data.ai tracking records revealed that the company’s mobile strategy titles, including “Evony: The King’s Return,” propelled them to become the 9th highest-grossing RPG company in the United States. This marked the company’s debut in the top 10 of the highest-grossing developers on both the App Store and Google Play. In September, Evony secured the 5th spot in Data.ai’s list of the Top Ten US-Headquartered Mid-Core Games. Additionally, Sensor Tower reports showed a significant surge in net revenue for “Evony: The King’s Return” in 2022. The game’s global net revenue reached $385,751,902, a 1.5-fold increase from 2021’s revenue of $221,676,485. The game also enjoyed over 62 million downloads, underlining its growing popularity and success.
The achievements of Top Games Inc. under Ben’s leadership can be attributed to a strategic focus on user trust, efficient yet responsible development processes, and a deep understanding of the gaming market. By prioritizing these aspects, the company has not only created successful games but also cultivated a loyal player base, demonstrating the power of a user-centered approach in the competitive world of game development.
As a user-oriented game company, Top Games Inc. is always focusing on delivering engaging and high-quality gaming experiences. Their mission centers around creating fun, innovative, and accessible games for a worldwide audience.
This strategy has helped the company set new standards in gaming and gain a prominent position in the market. The company’s investment in developing captivating games has been a key factor in differentiating it from competitors, appealing to players across different age groups and cultural backgrounds. With a reputation for maintaining high standards, Top Games Inc. is poised to continue its growth, and the gaming community is keenly anticipating their future releases.
