With the upcoming release of Candy Crush Solitaire, King is making a significant move by blending their iconic franchise with the classic solo card game, aiming to attract a fresh wave of players. What's more, King is expanding its reach beyond the usual Google Play and iOS App Store, marking their first simultaneous launch across multiple alternative app stores.
King has teamed up with publisher Flexion to roll out Candy Crush Solitaire on five new platforms, including the Samsung Galaxy Store and Huawei AppGallery. Flexion is thrilled about this collaboration with such a renowned developer, and King has highlighted the novelty of launching simultaneously across these diverse platforms. This move underscores a growing interest in alternative app stores as viable channels for reaching a broader audience.
Embracing Alternatives
It's easy to overlook King's immense popularity. Their spin on the match-three puzzle genre, reminiscent of Bejeweled, generates revenue that rivals that of small nations. It's surprising, then, that they haven't ventured into alternative app stores sooner. However, the decision to launch simultaneously across these platforms is a clear indication that King views them as key to accessing untapped markets, previously considered secondary.
This strategic shift suggests that major players in the gaming industry are beginning to recognize the potential of alternative app stores. If you're curious about one such platform, take a look at the Huawei AppGallery awards for 2024 to see which top releases were celebrated last year.
