Gossip Harbour: A Puzzle Game's Unexpected Move to Alternative App Stores

You've likely seen ads for Gossip Harbour, even if you don't play it. This seemingly ubiquitous merge-and-story puzzle game, a sleeper hit enjoyed by many, has generated over $10 million for developer Microfun on Google Play alone. However, its recent partnership with Flexion isn't focused on further Google Play promotion. Instead, Gossip Harbour is venturing into "alternative app stores."

What are alternative app stores? Simply put, they're any app store besides Google Play and the Apple App Store. Even prominent pre-installed stores like the Samsung Galaxy Store are dwarfed in comparison.

The Profit Motive and the Future of Mobile App Distribution

Why the shift to alternative app stores? The primary reason is increased profitability. But it's also a strategic move, anticipating the growing significance of these alternative platforms. Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are pushing for the normalization of alternative app stores, a trend already being exploited by stores like Huawei AppGallery through sales and promotions. 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 gamble pays off remains to be seen, but it highlights a significant shift in the mobile app landscape.

While we don't comment on game quality, if you're a puzzle game enthusiast, check out our curated list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android.