Gossip Harbour's Leap to Alternative App Stores: Uncovering the Reasons Behind Its Success

You may not have played Gossip Harbour, but chances are you've come across it. This sleeper hit is the kind of game your Mum might enjoy, and it's certainly been a financial success. However, the intriguing news is that Gossip Harbour is moving to alternative app stores, but what exactly are these? Let's dive in.

If you've spent any time on YouTube or are a dedicated mobile gaming enthusiast, you've likely seen those ads that don't quite live up to their promise. One such ad might have been for Gossip Harbour, a merge and story-based puzzle game. It's proven effective for developer Microfun, generating over $10 million on Google Play alone.

The real story here isn't just about Gossip Harbour's success but the strategic move by Microfun to partner with Flexion, not to expand on Google Play, but to explore "alternative app stores." These are any app stores outside of Google Play and the iOS App Store, including lesser-known platforms like the Samsung Store.

Why Go Alternative?

So, why is Gossip Harbour making this shift? The primary reason is profitability. Alternative app stores are poised to become a significant part of the mobile gaming landscape. Recent legal challenges faced by Google and Apple have increased pressure to open up to these alternative platforms. Stores like the Huawei AppGallery are capitalizing on this with promotions and sales, and big names like Candy Crush Saga have already made the move.

Flexion and Microfun are betting on this trend becoming the next big thing in mobile gaming. Whether it will attract a broad audience remains to be seen.

While we're not here to critique the quality of Gossip Harbour, if you're in the market for top-notch puzzle games, check out our list of the top 25 best puzzle games for iOS and Android for some excellent recommendations!