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, the merge-and-story puzzle game, is a surprising success story. Developer Microfun has reportedly earned over $10 million on Google Play alone. But instead of focusing on further Google Play promotion, they've 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 iOS App Store. Even stores like the Samsung Galaxy Store are dwarfed by the market dominance of the two giants.

The Profit Motive and the Future of Mobile Gaming

The move to alternative app stores is driven by profit. These stores often offer more lucrative deals for developers. Furthermore, recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are creating a more open environment for alternative app stores, potentially leading to significant growth in the mobile gaming market. This shift is attracting major players, including Candy Crush Saga.

Microfun and Flexion are betting on the rise of alternative app stores as the next big thing in mobile gaming. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen.

Looking for more puzzle games? Check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android!