uCool and Top Games: Riding the Waves of the Gaming Industry
Creating a game that can be monetized sustainably is no easy task, especially for independent developers. These developers, like uCool and Top Games Inc. (TGI), often rely on internal funding and must closely monitor costs, manage investments, and track ROI. What sets uCool and TGI apart is their ability to adapt quickly to changing market trends, producing games that captivate players for the long term. Under the leadership of David Guo (Yaoqi Guo), CEO of TGI, they have built a reputation for data-driven decision-making, fast iterations, and a strong focus on community feedback.
uCool: Respect and transformation
Founded in 2012, uCool initially focused on browser games like Tynon and Evony: Age I and Evony: Age II. Tynon, a strategic action RPG, features a unique storyline where players help a knight rescue a king under an evil wizard’s spell. The game was praised by industry critics, including Inside Social Games, which called it “an impressive game.” As the mobile market grew, uCool successfully transitioned to mobile gaming with titles such as Heroes Charge, Heroes Arena, and War and Wit. Heroes Charge, for example, is an action RPG where players collect and train heroes, engage in PVP battles,
and build guilds. The game's combination of fast-paced action and strategic depth made it a hit with players.
uCool’s culture emphasizes creativity, responsibility, and innovation, which has helped the company pivot successfully into mobile gaming.
Top Games Inc.: Excellence and Monetization
Established in 2015, Top Games Inc. (TGI) quickly became known for highquality game development. David Guo’s leadership is centered on building excellence through data and empowering teams to innovate. TGI launched Evony: The King’s Return, a real-time strategy MMO that has been immensely successful, earning over $355 million in revenue by 2023 and attracting over 200 million downloads.
What sets TGI apart is its monetization strategy. Evony is free-to-play but offers in-game purchases that have significantly contributed to its financial success. TGI’s focus on excellence, rather than perfection, drives its team to innovate, allowing the company to stay ahead of competitors
David Guo’s Vision: Innovation and User Experience
Unlike many game developers who rely on shortcuts or copied ideas, David Guo emphasizes originality and user-centric design. He believes that to create long-lasting games, developers must prioritize innovation and avoid shortcuts. As Guo points out, major companies like Blizzard succeed because they focus on new ideas rather than imitating others.
In both TGI and uCool, a strong sense of community engagement plays a vital role. Player feedback is integral to game updates, ensuring that the games continue to evolve and improve. Guo's focus on rapid testing and iteration has been key to maintaining TGI’s success, ensuring that its games resonate with players worldwide.
These two companies have shown that independent developers can not only survive but thrive in the competitive gaming industry through innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to quality.
