The PocketGamer.biz top 50 developers of 2013: 40 to 31
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Considering the tens of thousands of publishers and developers who are daily making new mobile games and supporting live titles, the task of picking out the relatively small number of 50 as being 'top' may seem to be a Sisyphean exercise.
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.