Gossip Harbour is a massively-successful game making the leap to alternative app stores, but why?

You've likely seen ads for Gossip Harbour, even if you don't play it. This merge-and-story puzzle game, a surprising hit for developer Microfun, has generated over $10 million on Google Play alone. However, its continued success isn't relying on traditional app stores. Instead, Microfun, in partnership with Flexion, is venturing into "alternative app stores."

But what are these alternative app stores? Simply put, they're any app store besides Google Play and the iOS App Store. Even stores like the Samsung Store are dwarfed by the market dominance of the two giants.

The Allure of Alternatives

The move to alternative app stores is driven by profitability. These stores are poised for significant growth, fueled by legal challenges against Google and Apple's app store dominance. This pressure is leading to a de-stigmatization of alternative app stores, with companies like Huawei (with its AppGallery) offering incentives. Established games like Candy Crush Saga have already embraced this shift.

Microfun and Flexion are betting on the future of alternative app stores. Whether this strategy proves successful remains to be seen, but it highlights a significant change in the mobile gaming landscape.

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