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 earned over $10 million on Google Play alone. But instead of focusing on further Google Play expansion, they've partnered 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 Apple App Store. Even the pre-installed Samsung Store is dwarfed by these giants.

The Profit Motive and the Future of Mobile Gaming

Why the shift to alternative app stores? The answer is simple: increased profitability. Furthermore, alternative app stores are poised for significant growth.

Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are pushing for the acceptance of alternative app stores. Companies like Huawei, with its AppGallery, are capitalizing on this trend with promotions and sales. Established titles like Candy Crush Saga have already made the switch.

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

While we don't comment on game quality, if you're a puzzle game enthusiast, check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android!