You might not have played Gossip Harbour, but chances are you've seen it advertised everywhere. This sleeper hit, popular among casual gamers including your mom, has quietly amassed over $10 million in revenue on Google Play alone for developer Microfun. But what's truly intriguing is the game's next move: shifting to alternative app stores.
If you're scratching your head wondering what an alternative app store is, think of any app store that isn't Google Play or the iOS App Store. Even major ones like the Samsung Store don't hold a candle to these giants. Microfun has teamed up with publisher Flexion, not to push Gossip Harbour further on Google, but to tap into these alternative markets.
Why Go Alternative?
The move to alternative app stores is driven by two key factors: higher profitability and the growing significance of these platforms in the mobile gaming ecosystem. With recent legal pressures on Google and Apple to open up their ecosystems, alternative stores like Huawei's AppGallery are gaining traction through promotions and sales. Big names like Candy Crush Saga have already made the leap, and it seems Flexion and Microfun are betting on this trend to take off.
Whether this shift will pull in a large audience remains to be seen, but the potential is certainly there. And while we're not here to judge the quality of games, if you're in the mood for some top-notch puzzlers, check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android to find your next favorite game!
