You may not have played Gossip Harbour, but chances are you've seen it. This sleeper hit, often enjoyed by casual gamers like your Mum, has quietly raked in substantial revenue. Gossip Harbour, a merge and story-based puzzle game, has impressively generated over $10 million for its developer, Microfun, solely on Google Play.
What makes this story intriguing is Microfun's strategic move to partner with a publisher called Flexion. Rather than pushing Gossip Harbour further on Google Play, they're setting their sights on "alternative app stores." But what exactly are these? In simple terms, alternative app stores are any platforms outside of the Google Play and iOS App Store ecosystems. Even major ones like the Samsung Store, which comes pre-installed on many devices, don't hold a candle to the dominance of Google and Apple's stores.
Why Go Alternative?
So, why is Gossip Harbour venturing into alternative territories? The primary reason is profitability. Alternative app stores are not only more lucrative but are also poised to become a significant part of the mobile gaming landscape. Recent legal challenges faced by Google and Apple have increased the pressure to open up their devices to alternative stores. Platforms like the Huawei AppGallery are capitalizing on this shift with attractive sales and promotions. High-profile games like Candy Crush Saga have already made the move, indicating a trend that Flexion and Microfun are eager to capitalize on.
Whether alternative app stores will become the next big thing remains to be seen, but Microfun and Flexion are betting on it. And while we're not here to judge the quality of Gossip Harbour, if you're in the mood for some top-notch puzzle games, check out our curated list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android!
