In a significant move for the mobile gaming industry, Flexion has once again teamed up with EA to expand the publisher's mobile game catalog to alternative app stores. This partnership marks a notable shift in how major publishers view opportunities beyond the traditional confines of Google Play and the iOS App Store, enhancing accessibility for gamers who opt out of these mainstream platforms.
The rise of alternative app stores has been a hot topic, especially since regulatory changes in regions like the EU have compelled Apple to open its ecosystem to third-party app stores. Flexion, known for bringing titles like Candy Crush Solitaire to alternative platforms, is now set to introduce more of EA's mobile games to these emerging marketplaces.
You might be wondering, "What's in it for me?" Traditionally, mobile gaming has been dominated by the iOS App Store and Google Play. However, recent legal battles have pushed Apple and Google to relax some of their stringent policies, paving the way for alternative app stores to flourish. For gamers, this means more options and potentially enticing incentives to explore these new platforms.
For instance, consider the Epic Games Store, which offers free games to attract users. While the platforms Flexion is targeting might not go to such lengths, they are likely to offer more flexible policies compared to the rigid standards of Apple and Google.
Looking to the future, EA's involvement in this shift is telling. As one of the gaming industry's giants, EA's move towards alternative app stores signals a broader trend. If EA sees value in these platforms, it suggests a promising future for other developers and publishers as well.
While we don't yet know the specific EA titles heading to these alternative stores, speculation abounds. Games like Diablo Immortal and other popular titles from the Candy Crush series could be among the first to make the leap.