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 puzzle game, is a surprising success story, generating over $10 million for developer Microfun on Google Play alone. But its journey isn't ending there. Microfun, in partnership with Flexion, is taking the game to 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 Store are dwarfed by the dominance of these two giants.

The Profit Motive and the Future of Mobile Gaming

The move to alternative app stores is driven by profit. These stores offer more lucrative opportunities for developers. Furthermore, alternative app stores are poised for significant growth.

Recent legal challenges to Google and Apple are forcing a reassessment of the mobile app marketplace. This is creating opportunities for alternative app stores, with some, like Huawei's AppGallery, already capitalizing on this shift through promotions and sales. Established titles, including Candy Crush Saga, have already made the leap.

Microfun and Flexion are betting on the future of alternative app stores. Whether this strategy proves 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.