Gossip Harbour is a game that you might not play yourself, but chances are you've seen it advertised. It's one of those sleeper hits that your mom probably enjoys, and it's certainly brought in a hefty sum of money.
So, why is Gossip Harbour moving to alternative app stores? And what exactly are these alternative app stores? Well, it's a bit complex.
If you've spent enough time on YouTube, or consider yourself a die-hard mobile gaming enthusiast, you've likely encountered some less-than-stellar ads. One of these might have been for Gossip Harbour, a merge and story-based puzzle game. The advertising seems to have paid off, as Gossip Harbour has generated over $10 million for its developer, Microfun, just on Google Play alone.
But that's not the intriguing part. What's truly interesting is that, following this success, Microfun has partnered with a publisher named Flexion. This partnership isn't aimed at further promoting Gossip Harbour on Google Play or expanding its reach there. Instead, they're targeting what are known as "alternative app stores."
If you're unfamiliar with alternative app stores, they're essentially any app distribution platforms that aren't Google Play or the iOS App Store. Even well-known platforms like the Samsung Store, which comes pre-installed on many phones, are dwarfed by Google and Apple's offerings.
Why alternative?So, why is Gossip Harbour making the move to alternative app stores? For starters, it's more profitable. If you've read this far expecting a straightforward answer, here it is: alternative stores are poised to play a more significant role in the mobile gaming landscape.
Recent legal battles involving Google and Apple have increased pressure to normalize the use of alternative app stores on their devices. Platforms like the Huawei AppGallery are capitalizing on this shift with sales and promotions. High-profile games like Candy Crush Saga have already made the transition to these alternative platforms.
It appears that Flexion and Microfun are betting on alternative app stores becoming the next big trend. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but it could indeed draw more users in.
We're not here to critique the quality of games, but if you're in the market for top-notch puzzle games, we've got you covered. Check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android to discover some fantastic options!
