King's Candy Crush Solitaire: A Multi-Platform Launch and a Shift Towards Alternative App Stores
King is taking a significant gamble with the upcoming release of Candy Crush Solitaire, hoping the combination of their popular franchise and the classic solitaire card game will attract a large player base. However, their strategy extends beyond the usual Google Play and iOS App Store. For the first time, King will launch simultaneously on multiple alternative app stores.
This strategic move is fueled by a partnership with Flexion, a publisher that will distribute Candy Crush Solitaire across five alternative app stores, including the Samsung Galaxy Store and Huawei AppGallery. While Flexion is enthusiastic about the collaboration, King's emphasis on this being their first simultaneous multi-platform launch is noteworthy. This suggests a deliberate shift towards exploring the potential of alternative app stores.
The Growing Importance of Alternative App Stores
King's immense popularity and financial success, rivaling that of small nations, make their previous lack of focus on alternative app stores somewhat surprising. The simultaneous launch of Candy Crush Solitaire, however, signals a change in perspective. King clearly views these alternative stores as viable avenues for reaching a broader audience, no longer considering them an afterthought. This move indicates that major gaming companies are finally recognizing the potential of alternative app stores.
For those interested in learning more about Huawei's AppGallery, exploring their 2024 AppGallery Awards provides insight into the platform's top-performing apps of the previous year.
