Gossip Harbour's Leap to Alternative App Stores: Why the Success?

• Gossip Harbour is a game that, although you may not play, you've likely seen advertised. It's one of those sleeper hits that's popular among casual gamers, including your Mum, and it has certainly been a financial success.

• So, why is Gossip Harbour moving to alternative app stores? And what exactly are these stores? Well, it's a bit complicated.

If you've spent enough time on YouTube, or consider yourself a die-hard mobile gaming enthusiast, you've probably grown tired of some less-than-stellar ads. One of these might have been for Gossip Harbour, a merge and story-based puzzle game. It's clear that these ads have been effective, as Gossip Harbour has generated over $10 million for its developer, Microfun, on Google Play alone.

However, the real intrigue lies not in its current success but in its next move. Following this achievement, Microfun has partnered with a publisher called Flexion, not to further promote Gossip Harbour on Google Play, but to venture into what are known as "alternative app stores."

If you're unfamiliar with the term, an alternative app store is essentially any app marketplace that isn't Google Play or the iOS App Store. Even well-known platforms like the Samsung Store, which comes pre-installed on many devices, don't hold a candle to the dominance of Google and Apple's offerings.

Why alternative?

So, why is Gossip Harbour making the switch to alternative app stores? The primary reason is profitability. If you've already scrolled this far because you knew the answer, you'll also be aware that alternative stores are poised to become a more significant part of the mobile gaming ecosystem.

Recent legal battles involving Google and Apple have increased pressure to destigmatize alternative app stores on their devices. Many, like the Huawei AppGallery, are capitalizing on this shift with sales and promotions. Notable games, such as Candy Crush Saga, have already made the transition.

It appears that Flexion and Microfun are betting on alternative app stores becoming the next big trend in mobile gaming. Whether this will be enough to draw in a broader audience remains to be seen.

We're not here to judge the quality of games, but if you're looking for some top-notch puzzle games to play, check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android for some excellent suggestions!