Interviews
Vickie Chen, CEO of Avia – Interview Series
Avia, a globally recognized game developer with not one, but several award-winning online titles with user bases in excess of a million-plus, has been working to enhance its portfolio with a new collection of intuitive and rewarding competitive games across a spectrum of platforms. From Bingo Bliss to Solitaire Clash, the studio has been fighting tooth and nail to establish an exciting library of palatable IP for future generations to learn, conquer, and essentially capitalize upon — and it’s only just beginning, from the sounds of it.
Of course, I wanted to learn more about Avia and its ongoing efforts to broaden the online gaming space, so I decided to reach out to CEO Vickie Chen, who was kind enough to fill me in on the latest developments.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, Vickie — we really appreciate it. Before we jump into Avia and the gaming space, let’s talk about your story; specifically, the steps you took to fulfill your goals. How did it all start for you, and what inspired you to venture into this domain?
Vickie: Great to meet you! I’ve been in the gaming industry for 20 years and am now the founder and CEO of Avia, a leading platform for casual, skill-based gaming.
My journey began when I met my business partner and good friend, Ping Wang, who shared my passion for gaming innovation. Together, we started Avia from scratch—literally in a small garage in Mountain View, California. We are so proud that what started as a simple idea has since grown into a global powerhouse, which we believe is redefining the skill-based gaming experience for millions of players.
The inspiration for Avia came from a mix of ambition, persistence, and recognizing an untapped market opportunity. Early in my career at Sohu, I gained valuable gaming industry experience, but I knew I wanted to create something of my own—something that would transform mobile gaming.
In 2015, a pivotal conversation with Ping cemented our vision, and we set out to build something groundbreaking. The road wasn’t easy—raising capital was a major challenge, as investors were focused elsewhere. I spent countless hours pitching our vision, traveling to meet with venture capitalists, and facing rejection after rejection. But through perseverance, we turned our vision into reality.
Avia has become something of a online powerhouse in the gaming community. Tell us, what brought the team from its humble beginnings to this new plateau of multi-million users and downloads? Tell us more about that journey, if you’d be so kind.
Vickie: From university to my first job, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I saw an opportunity to redefine the gaming space—recognizing that many players, like myself, enjoyed gaming but weren’t necessarily hardcore competitors chasing high-stakes esports. There was a gap in the market for a more casual yet engaging and rewarding experience. That vision led to the creation of Avia—a platform where players of all skill levels could compete in tournaments or simply enjoy the challenge of gameplay.
Fueled by my passion for mobile gaming, I set out to make skill-based gaming more accessible to a broader audience. In 2017, we launched Pocket7Games, Avia’s all-in-one gaming platform, which has since evolved into a diverse portfolio of popular titles, including Solitaire Clash, Bingo Tour, and 8 Ball Strike.
Over the years, Avia has grown rapidly. We now have nearly 400 employees and are continuing to scale. Growing our team has made it possible for us to continue to innovate, broaden our game portfolio, and identify and capitalize on new opportunities.
Please could you tell us more about the games that Avia has brought to the table since its inception? Clearly, the team has a keen eye for skill-based gaming. Would you mind telling us more about where that interest sprouted from?
Avia is best known for its flagship platform, Pocket7Games, an all-in-one mobile gaming ecosystem featuring 14+ skill-based games across various genres, including puzzles, card, and strategy. Unlike traditional mobile games that rely on luck and microtransactions, Pocket7Games is designed for fair, skill-based competition. Our advanced technology ensures balanced matchups, while our in-house development team continuously refines the player experience based on real feedback. At Avia, we are driven by a passion for skill-based gaming, making competition fun, accessible, and rewarding for all players. With every new game and update, we remain committed to delivering an experience that stays true to this vision.
Among our most successful titles is Solitaire Clash, a top-ranked skill-based card game on the App Store. This multiplayer spin on Klondike Solitaire adds a competitive edge that has resonated with millions of players. We also have Bingo Clash which reimagines the classic Bingo experience with fast-paced gameplay and tournament-style competition, while Avia’s Bingo Tour takes it a step further, incorporating power-ups and modernized mechanics. Also, 8 Ball Strike offers a fresh take on pool, with intuitive controls and competitive matchups that appeal to both casual and experienced players alike.
Credit: Avia (X)
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones?
Vickie: We’re beyond excited to share that our games have been downloaded over 60 million times worldwide! This amazing milestone proves just how much players love skill-based gaming—and we’re only getting started! With over 300 million tournaments hosted every month, our incredible community is more engaged than ever, competing, winning, and leveling up their skills.
One of our biggest success stories? Solitaire Clash – it continues to dominate the App Store’s card and board game rankings, boasting 277,000+ player ratings and a stellar 4.8-star average. It’s become a true fan favorite—and a testament to our commitment to delivering top-tier skill-based gaming experiences!
Of course, the gaming industry is forever evolving and sourcing new ways to appeal to younger audiences. Tell us, how do you plan on maintaining your users in the long term? Better yet, what is the secret to keeping users engaged?
Vickie: While our player base is diverse, a significant portion is parents juggling demanding work schedules and family responsibilities. For them, our games are a great way to relax, unwind, and enjoy a brief escape in their busy lives. While many of our players have explored other gaming apps, they ultimately choose Avia for its engaging gameplay, fair competition, and rewarding experiences.
Keeping players for the long haul is all about accessibility and relentless improvement. Players demand intuitive controls, seamless transactions, and visually stunning gameplay—and we’re not just meeting those expectations, we’re blowing them away! By analyzing real-time feedback and user behavior, we’re constantly fine-tuning and evolving our games. Whether it’s enhancing gameplay mechanics, revamping the UI, or unleashing new reward opportunities, we’re always looking for ways to make the experience even better. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures our games stay fresh, exhilarating, and unforgettable for years to come.
We’re curious to know more about the future of Avia. How’s 2025 looking for you and the team, if you don’t mind me asking? Also, if you’ve a project up your sleeve that you wouldn’t mind sharing with us, then we would certainly love to hear more about it/them.
Vickie: 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Avia, and we’re excited for what’s ahead. Our focus remains on expanding our game portfolio, enhancing player experiences, and reaching new markets. With the mobile gaming industry projected to reach $185 billion by 2030, we see tremendous opportunities to bring Avia’s games to even broader audiences. By staying ahead of industry trends – launching new games and updating current games – we’re keeping everything fun and fresh for our players.
Would you mind telling us where we might be able to find more information on Avia and its latest releases? Are there any important social channels that we ought to be following, or perhaps any newsletters that we might be able to subscribe to for further reading?
Vickie: Yes! Our website is www.aviagames.com, and you can find links to download our games below.
You should also definitely be following us across all our social channels:
Across our socials we post fun seasonal game updates, company news, and will give you an inside look into what it’s like at the corporate offices – including our two office rescue cats!
You’ve been amazing, thank you. Before we begin to wrap things up here, is there anything else you would like to add to this story? Do you have any last-minute touches that you would like to add for our readers, perhaps?
Vickie: At Avia, we don’t just talk about innovation—we live it. Our unwavering commitment to quality and a player-first experience is what sets us apart. We actively listen to our community, constantly refining and improving our games, thanks to the dedication of our talented in-house team. Every decision we make, from game development to user feedback, is driven by one core principle: our players come first.
We are deeply invested in creating the best possible experience, with an unyielding focus on user satisfaction, security, and game fairness. This is why we’ve earned the loyalty of our players, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We’re committed to remaining the top choice for skill-based gaming enthusiasts for years to come—and every new update and innovation will prove it.
Thanks again, Vickie!
You can find more information on Avia over on X. For additional updates on the team’s latest developments, visit the website here.
