Gossip Harbour Embarks on Alternate App Store Journey

You've likely seen ads for Gossip Harbour, a surprisingly successful merge and story puzzle game. Despite its massive success—earning over $10 million on Google Play alone for developer Microfun—the game is now branching out to alternative app stores. But what are these alternative app stores, and why the move?

If you're a regular YouTube viewer, you've probably encountered Gossip Harbour's ads. Its success is undeniable. However, instead of focusing on further Google Play promotion, Microfun has partnered with Flexion to expand into what are known as "alternative app stores."

These are simply app stores outside of Google Play and the iOS App Store. Even seemingly significant stores like the Samsung Store are dwarfed by the dominance of these two giants.

The Drive to Alternative App Stores

The reason behind Gossip Harbour's move is simple: profitability. Alternative app stores are poised for significant growth, fueled by recent legal challenges faced by Google and Apple. This legal pressure is pushing for the acceptance of alternative app stores, leading to increased competition and promotional opportunities. Major players like Huawei's AppGallery are capitalizing on this, and even established titles like Candy Crush Saga have already made the switch.

Microfun and Flexion are betting on the future of alternative app stores. Whether this strategy pays off remains to be seen, but it highlights a shifting landscape in the mobile gaming market.

For those seeking high-quality puzzle games, we recommend exploring our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android!