Gossip Harbour is a massively-successful game making the leap to alternative app stores, but why?

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

You've likely seen the ads, even if you don't play it. Gossip Harbour, a merge and story-based 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 expansion, Microfun has partnered with Flexion to launch the game on "alternative app stores."

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

The Profit Motive and the Future of Mobile App Distribution

The move to alternative app stores is driven by profitability. These stores are predicted to become increasingly significant in the mobile gaming landscape. Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are forcing a reevaluation of the mobile app ecosystem, creating opportunities for alternative app stores to flourish. Companies like Huawei, with its AppGallery, are actively promoting their platforms. Established titles, such as Candy Crush Saga, have already successfully transitioned to alternative distribution channels.

Microfun and Flexion are betting on the growth of this sector. Whether this strategy proves successful remains to be seen, but it highlights a significant shift in the mobile gaming market.

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