King's Candy Crush Solitaire: A Multi-Platform Launch and a Shift Towards Alternative App Stores
King is taking a significant step with the upcoming release of Candy Crush Solitaire, its first simultaneous launch across multiple app stores. This strategic move, facilitated by a partnership with Flexion, marks a notable expansion beyond the traditional Google Play and iOS App Store dominance.
The game will debut on five alternative app stores, including the Samsung Galaxy Store and Huawei AppGallery. This simultaneous release signals King's recognition of the growing potential of these alternative platforms, a departure from their previous approach of prioritizing established app stores.
The Significance of Alternative App Stores
King's immense popularity and profitability, rivaling the GDP of some smaller nations, makes their late entry into alternative app stores somewhat surprising. However, the simultaneous launch strategy indicates a significant shift in their thinking. King clearly views these alternative stores as viable avenues for reaching a broader audience, no longer treating them as secondary distribution channels.
This move suggests a growing trend among major gaming companies to acknowledge and leverage the potential of alternative app stores, recognizing their increasing user base and market share. The simultaneous release of Candy Crush Solitaire on these platforms is a strong indicator of this evolving landscape.
For those interested in learning more about Huawei's AppGallery, exploring their 2024 AppGallery awards provides valuable insight into the platform's top-performing titles and overall ecosystem.