You've likely seen ads for Gossip Harbour, a surprisingly successful merge-and-story puzzle game. Despite earning over $10 million on Google Play alone for developer Microfun, the game is now branching out to alternative app stores. But what are these alternative app stores, and why the move?

If you're a regular YouTube viewer, you're probably familiar with Gossip Harbour's ads. Its success is undeniable, but its developer, Microfun, has partnered with Flexion to distribute the game through alternative app stores – meaning stores outside of Google Play and the iOS App Store. Even stores like the Samsung Galaxy Store are dwarfed by the market share of these two giants.

The Allure of Alternative App Stores

The reason for this move is simple: profitability. Alternative app stores are predicted to become significantly more important in the mobile gaming market. Recent legal challenges against Google and Apple are forcing a reassessment of the dominance of their app stores, leading to increased pressure to make alternative app stores more accessible. Companies like Huawei, with its AppGallery, are capitalizing on this shift with various promotions and sales. Even major titles like Candy Crush Saga have already made the jump.

Microfun and Flexion are betting on the continued growth of alternative app stores. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but it reflects a significant shift in the mobile gaming landscape.

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