Gossip Harbour: A Puzzle Game's Unexpected Move to Alternative App Stores
You've likely encountered ads for Gossip Harbour, the surprisingly successful merge and story-based puzzle game. While its $10 million+ revenue on Google Play alone speaks volumes, its developer, Microfun, has made a strategic shift. Instead of focusing on further Google Play promotion, they've partnered with Flexion to launch on "alternative app stores."
But what are alternative app stores? Simply put, they're any app stores besides Google Play and the Apple App Store. Even seemingly large stores like the Samsung Galaxy Store are dwarfed by the market dominance of the two giants.
The Allure of Alternatives:
The move to alternative app stores is driven by increased profitability. However, the broader significance lies in the growing prominence of these alternative platforms. Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are forcing a reassessment of their app store monopolies, leading to greater acceptance of alternative stores. Companies like Huawei, with its AppGallery, are actively promoting these alternative options. Established games like Candy Crush Saga have already embraced this shift.
Microfun and Flexion are betting on the future growth of alternative app stores. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen. Regardless of Gossip Harbour's success in this new market, it highlights a significant trend in the mobile gaming landscape.
For those seeking more puzzle game options, explore our curated list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android.
