You've likely seen ads for Gossip Harbour, a merge-and-story puzzle game, even if you don't play it. It's a surprisingly successful title, earning over $10 million for developer Microfun on Google Play alone. However, its next move is unexpected: a partnership 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 stores like the Samsung Store are dwarfed in comparison.
The Alternative Advantage
The shift to alternative app stores is driven by increased profitability. Moreover, alternative app stores are poised for significant growth. Recent legal challenges to Google and Apple are forcing a reevaluation of alternative app stores, leading to increased promotion and sales on platforms like Huawei AppGallery. Established games like Candy Crush Saga have already made the switch.
Microfun and Flexion are betting on this trend, anticipating a surge in popularity for alternative app stores. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen.
While we won't comment on Gossip Harbour's quality, if you're searching for excellent puzzle games, check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android!
