You've likely seen ads for Gossip Harbour, a merge and story puzzle game, even if you don't play it. This sleeper hit, popular with a surprisingly wide audience, has generated over $10 million for developer Microfun on Google Play alone. However, its success story takes an interesting turn.
Instead of focusing on further Google Play promotion, Microfun, in partnership with publisher Flexion, is venturing into "alternative app stores." These are simply app stores outside of the Google Play and iOS App Store ecosystems. Even stores like the Samsung Store are dwarfed by the dominance of Google and Apple.
The Appeal of Alternative App Stores
The move to alternative app stores is driven by increased profitability and the burgeoning potential of this market segment. Recent legal challenges to Google and Apple's app store dominance are forcing a reevaluation, leading to a destigmatization of alternative stores. Companies like Huawei, with its AppGallery, are capitalizing on this shift with promotions and sales. Established titles like Candy Crush Saga have already made the leap.
Microfun and Flexion are betting on the future growth of alternative app stores. Whether this strategy proves successful remains to be seen, but it highlights a significant shift in the mobile gaming landscape. If you're interested in similar puzzle games, check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android.
