Flexion and EA have once again joined forces to expand the reach of EA's mobile game catalog to alternative app stores. This move signifies a growing trend of increased accessibility for mobile gamers who opt not to use Google Play or the iOS App Store. It represents a significant shift in how major publishers view the potential of distributing their games outside the traditional platforms dominated by Apple and Google.
The landscape of alternative app stores has been buzzing with activity, especially since regulatory changes in regions like the EU forced Apple to open up to third-party app stores. Flexion, having previously brought Candy Crush Solitaire to these platforms, is now extending EA's mobile back-catalogue to alternative storefronts, enhancing the options available to gamers.
You might wonder what this means for you as a mobile gamer. Until recently, the iOS App Store and Google Play were virtually the only avenues for mobile game distribution. However, recent legal battles have compelled Apple and Google to relax some of their anti-competitive practices, paving the way for alternative app stores. The benefit for you? Many of these platforms are rolling out attractive incentives to draw in users.
For instance, the Epic Games Store's free game program is a prime example of the kind of incentives being offered. While the platforms Flexion is working with might not go to such extremes, they're likely to offer more flexible policies than those typically seen on Apple and Google's stores.
Looking at the bigger picture, EA's move is noteworthy. As one of the gaming industry's giants, known for acquiring smaller developers, EA's decision to embrace alternative app stores signals a broader industry trend. If EA sees the value in this approach, it's a strong indicator that other companies will follow suit.
While we don't yet know which specific games from EA's library will appear on these alternative platforms, speculation suggests titles like Diablo Immortal and other Candy Crush games could be on the list. This expansion could offer gamers more choices and potentially better deals outside the conventional app stores.
