iOS Giant Scans for Greener Pastures

Gossip Harbour: A Casual Game's Unexpected Move to Alternative App Stores

You've likely seen the ads, even if you don't play it. Gossip Harbour, the merge-and-story puzzle game, is a quiet success story, earning its developer, Microfun, over $10 million on Google Play alone. But instead of focusing on further Google Play promotion, Microfun has partnered with Flexion to launch the game on alternative app stores.

What are alternative app stores? Simply put, they're any app store besides Google Play and the iOS App Store. Even seemingly significant stores like the Samsung Store are dwarfed by the market dominance of the two giants.

The Appeal of Alternative App Stores

The move to alternative app stores is driven by increased profitability and a predicted surge in their market share. Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are forcing a reevaluation of alternative app stores, leading to increased visibility and promotional activity from stores like Huawei's AppGallery. Established titles like Candy Crush Saga have already embraced this shift.

Microfun and Flexion are betting on the future growth of alternative app stores, anticipating a significant market expansion. While the success remains to be seen, the move highlights a changing landscape in mobile game distribution.

For those seeking high-quality puzzle games, explore our curated list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android.