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 reportedly earned over $10 million on Google Play alone. However, instead of focusing on further Google Play promotion, Microfun, in partnership with Flexion, is venturing into "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 the two giants.
The Profit Motive and the Future of Mobile App Distribution
The move to alternative app stores is driven by increased profitability. However, it also reflects a broader shift in the mobile landscape. Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are forcing a reevaluation of alternative app stores. This is creating opportunities for alternative stores, such as Huawei's AppGallery, to gain traction through promotions and sales. Established titles like Candy Crush Saga have already made the switch.
Microfun and Flexion are betting on the growing importance of alternative app stores. Whether this strategy will prove successful remains to be seen, but it highlights a significant trend in mobile game distribution.
For those seeking high-quality puzzle games, we recommend exploring our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android.
