Yet, that process provides a wealth of useful information, while the rigor of directly comparing companies - one against another - forces us to think about what we mean by the term 'top developers'.
In terms of our process at PocketGamer.biz, we used metrics such as creativity, critical acclaim, sales performance, innovation especially in terms of business model, and that certain je ne sais quoi that only the best studios exude.
The full list - produced in conjunction with leading app store analytics company App Annie and the largest Chinese mobile game development platform CocoaChina - will be revealed daily through our Top 50 Developer of 2013 section.
40. Ndemic Creations
New entry
Inspired by Dark Realm's Flash title Pandemic 2, Plague Inc. demonstrates the mobile ecosystem still holds potential for even one-man indies. Together with some outsourced help, James Vaughan saw his 99c game hit the iOS #1 paid slot in both the UK and US. It was then published by Miniclip on Android, gaining millions more downloads. Well, it was free on the platform.
To-date, 200 million game sessions have been played, with Vaughan cautiously hiring some staff to make Ndemic Creations a 'proper' developer and build on his success with follow up and new titles in 2013.
39. Ubisoft
Up 9 (previously as RedLynx)
Historically restricted by its close relationship with Gameloft, it's was only in 2012 that Ubisoft started to show it was really serious about mobile gaming. The highlight was Apple's crowning of the excellent Rayman Jungle Run as its iPhone Game of the Year. The paid title didn't trouble the top grossing charts, however.
Still, with the acquisition of RedLynx (#48 in 2012's list), not to mention a ramp up in publishing operations, it's clear Ubisoft will be acting aggressively in 2013, both in terms of standalone games like the GREE co-developed Assassin's Creed: Utopia and tie-in experiences for console titles, notably Watch Dogs.
38. Xyrality
New entry
While many core German browser and PC publishers are attempting a shift to mobile, Xyrality has already succeed. Its city-building PVP title Lords & Knights has been installed over 3.5 million times on iOS, Android and web, and was a top 5 top grossing game in Germany for 2012 on iPhone and iPad.
One reason for this success is players can access their game state on any device, ensuring much higher session frequency and retention. It's something the 60-strong Hamburg team will be building on with the recent release of the Celtic Tribes on iOS
37. Creative Mobile
New entry
Estonian start up Creative Mobile has been a quiet success story. It released free-to-play Drag Racing game on Android and iOS (as Nitro Nation Drag Racing) back in April 2011. It's since racked up a download total of 100 million (91 percent on Android) with daily active users peaking at two million.
The franchise has seen expansion with a bike version, while the anticipated sequel is due soon, which will add much more content and social features using a team-based dynamic. Creative Mobile is now also taking a publishing role, releasing A-Steroids' RPG Clash of the Damned.
36. Telltale Games
New entry
The ubiquity of iPad provided episodic content developer Telltale Games with the opportunity to get seriously into mobile gaming. It took time to get its PC/console technology and processes working successfully for touchscreen devices, but in 2012 demonstrated how much it had learned with the success of The Walking Dead.
This was released as a multi-platform product, in terms of content delivery and, surprisingly perhaps, pricing, too. This means that each of the to-date five episodes is priced as a $4.99 in-app purchase. But given the quality of the experience, it's been a lucrative decision.
35. Pocket Gems
Down 14
With four titles in the 100 top grossing iOS game charts for 2012, Pocket Gems has demonstrated its history as one of the first social mobile developers - notable for its Tap-titled games - continues to pay dividends. However, the market is now very different to 2010, so it's looking to evolve to continue its success story.
The big news is its decision to become a third-party publisher. The thinking is Pocket Gems applies its expertise in launching, operating and monetising to the innovative content coming from indies. Twyngo, dreamfab and WeRPlay are the first developers to sign up.
34. Zynga
Down 22
Was the decision to float a bad one? Maybe. Certainly at $10 a share, as everything the company now does is viewed in the light of its underwater stock. That's not to say there hasn't been serious problems, both in terms of the high turnover of executives and studio restructuring. Given Zynga's astonishing growth, however, growing pains were always likely.
No matter. Annual sales in 2012 were $1.28 billion, it has $1.65 billion in cash, and 240 million monthly active users, 72 million of which are on mobile. With its publishing efforts ramping up, Zynga has everything to play for in 2013.
33. Capcom
Down 20
Having split its business into the western-focused Beeline and Japan-focused Capcom Mobile, Capcom's recent experience has been similar to other Japanese publishers. After a great start, Beeline has stuttered with new F2P social releases like Ghostbusters and Smurf Life not matching Smurfs' Village enormous success in 2011 and early 2012. Total downloads for the unit are 86 million, mainly from Smurfs' Village.
Domestically, however, games such as Minna to Monhan Card Master (on Mobage) and Resident Evil: Outbreak Survive (on GREE) pushed Capcom Mobile's nine months sales up 115 percent year-on-year to $89 million. It predicts revenue will rise a further 63 percent in 2013.
32. Halfbrick
Down 30
It has been a quiet 16 months for Australian developer Halfbrick. Obviously there's plenty going on behind the scenes, but its last new game was the reworking of the classic Fruit Ninja gameplay for movie Puss in Boots in October 2011.
Still, even though top grossing titles such as Jetpack Joyride (just released for BB10) and Fruit Ninja are paid releases, their millions of fans demand updates. Halfbrick also released the Android version of Jetpack Joyride in September (for free), where it's notched up millions more downloads. But given the company's high standing in the mobile gaming ecosystem, what players really want to know is what's next?
31. Namco Bandai
New entry
While its mobile operations in the west are being restructured, in Japan Namco Bandai is growing fast. Thanks to agreements with GREE and DeNA - it has a joint venture with the latter - user numbers rose from 10 million to 30 million during 2012.
Key titles include One Piece Grand Collection (on Mobage) with 4 million users; a number matched by players of its Mobile Suit Gundam games. Another strong performer is The Idol M@ster brand. These are unlikely to perform in the west, though, where the company relies on the evergreen Pac-Man and air combat game Sky Gamblers.
You can see the full Top 50 Developers of 2013 list as it's revealed here.
