Gossip Harbour: A Mobile Game's Unexpected Move to Alternative App Stores
You've likely seen its ads, even if you don't play it. Gossip Harbour, a merge and story puzzle game, is a surprising success story. Developer Microfun has earned over $10 million on Google Play alone. However, instead of focusing on further Google Play promotion, they've partnered with Flexion to launch on "alternative app stores."
What are alternative app stores? Simply put, they're any app stores besides Google Play and the iOS App Store. Even major players like the Samsung Galaxy Store are dwarfed by the dominance of the two giants.
The Profit Motive and the Future of Mobile Gaming
The move to alternative app stores is driven by profit. These stores offer potentially higher revenue. Furthermore, alternative app stores are poised for significant growth.
Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are forcing a reevaluation of the mobile app market's structure. This creates an opportunity for alternative app stores to gain traction. Companies like Huawei, with its AppGallery, are actively promoting their platforms. Even established titles like Candy Crush Saga have already embraced this shift.
Microfun and Flexion are betting on the rising prominence of alternative app stores. Whether this strategy will prove successful remains to be seen.
For those seeking high-quality puzzle games, we recommend exploring our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android.
