- Founded
- 2015-01-01 in Shanghai, China
- Headquarters
- Shanghai, China
- sales@tc-gaming.com
- Phone
- 9190891538
Top Games Inc. is a privately held mobile game developer and publisher headquartered in Shanghai, China, founded in 2015. The company focuses on free-to-play strategy games, most notably its flagship title Top War: Battle Game, a 4X strategy game that has amassed over 10 million downloads worldwide. Revenue is generated through in-app purchases and advertising, including gacha-style loot boxes that have drawn regulatory attention. Despite operating in the broader gaming industry, Top Games Inc. does not provide B2B services to the iGaming or gambling sector, and no such 'Top Gaming' entity in that space was found. Its portfolio also includes Mini Town and Idle War, though the company remains a niche player relative to competitors like IGG and FunPlus. No major funding rounds or acquisitions have been publicly reported as of 2026.
Detailed Review
Business Model
Top Games Inc. operates at the intersection of free-to-play mobile gaming and the controversial "gacha" monetization model, which has drawn regulatory scrutiny in markets like Belgium and the Netherlands due to its resemblance to gambling. The company’s primary product, Top War, launched in 2019, was developed using the Unity engine and quickly grew through viral marketing and influencer partnerships on platforms such as TikTok. The game’s mechanics—base-building, resource management, and alliance warfare—are typical of the 4X genre, but its progression system heavily relies on random loot boxes (crates) that can be purchased with real money or earned slowly through gameplay. These crates have a low probability of containing high-value items, creating a near-certain expectation of loss that mirrors that of slot machines. Top Games Inc. reportedly implemented strict age-gating and spending limits in certain jurisdictions to comply with gambling regulations, though transparency regarding exact probabilities is not always prominent.
Market Position
Top Games Inc.'s business model is purely B2C (business-to-consumer), unlike the B2B focus typical of iGaming database subscribers (e.g., providers like Microgaming or Playtech). The company does not white-label its games, license its back-end systems, or operate real-money gambling platforms. Its revenue is driven entirely by optional in-app purchases and rewarded video ads. The company’s growth trajectory has been moderate, with no public disclosures of major investment rounds or valuations. Employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed indicate a flat organizational structure with limited career progression, but also praise a supportive culture and a focus on work-life balance. The company’s main competitive rivals include other free-to-play strategy game developers such as IGG (Lords Mobile) and FunPlus (State of Survival), both of which have significantly larger headcounts and product portfolios. Top Games Inc. remains a niche player in the broader mobile gaming market.
Key Products
Top War: Battle Game
The company’s flagship mobile strategy game. 4X gameplay with base-building, PvP alliance wars, and gacha-based loot crate system. Monetized via in-app purchases and ads.
Mini Town
A casual city-building simulation game aimed at a younger audience. Features simple resource management and decoration mechanics.
Idle War
An incremental/idle game where players manage a medieval army with minimal active play required. Revenue through ad views and small purchases.
Top Games Brand
The overarching brand used for game marketing and player community management.
Offices & Headcount
175 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Cheng Jun Liu
Founder & CEO