Flexion and EA have once again joined forces to expand the reach of EA's mobile game catalog to alternative app stores, marking a significant shift in how major publishers view opportunities beyond the traditional Google Play and iOS App Store platforms. This development comes at a time when alternative app stores are gaining traction, especially following regulatory changes that have compelled companies like Apple to open up to third-party app stores in regions such as the EU.
So, what does this mean for you, the mobile gamer? Until now, if you wanted to play mobile games, your options were largely limited to the iOS App Store or Google Play. However, recent legal challenges have prompted Apple and Google to relax some of their anti-competitive practices, paving the way for alternative app stores to flourish. This shift is great news for players, as these new platforms often come with attractive incentives designed to draw in users.
For instance, consider the Epic Games Store, which offers a free game program to its users. While the platforms Flexion is partnering with might not offer free games, they are likely to introduce more flexible policies that have been previously rejected by Apple and Google.
Looking at the bigger picture, EA's move is particularly telling. As one of the gaming industry's giants, known for acquiring smaller studios and integrating them into their ecosystem, EA's decision to embrace alternative app stores signals a strong trend that other companies are likely to follow. This could mean smoother sailing for the entire gaming industry as it explores new distribution channels.
While it's not yet clear which specific games from EA's back-catalogue will make their way to these alternative app stores, speculation is rife. Titles like Diablo Immortal and other games from the Candy Crush series are strong contenders for this expanded distribution.
