You've likely seen ads for Gossip Harbour, a surprisingly successful merge puzzle game. While its over $10 million in Google Play revenue is impressive, the real story lies in its move to alternative app stores. But what are alternative app stores?
Simply put, they're any app store besides Google Play and the Apple App Store. Even the Samsung Store, pre-installed on many phones, is dwarfed by these two giants.
The Appeal of Alternative App Stores
So why the shift? Profitability is a key driver. Alternative app stores are poised for significant growth, fueled by recent legal challenges against Google and Apple. This pressure is leading to increased acceptance of alternative app stores, with companies like Huawei's AppGallery capitalizing on the opportunity with promotions and sales. Even major titles like Candy Crush Saga have already made the leap.
Microfun, the developer of Gossip Harbour, and its publisher, Flexion, are betting on this trend. Whether it's a winning strategy remains to be seen.
Looking for more puzzle games? Check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android!
