Flexion and EA's renewed partnership expands EA's mobile game library to alternative app stores, increasing accessibility beyond Google Play and the iOS App Store. This signifies a significant shift in how major publishers view the potential outside of Apple and Google's ecosystems.
The rise of alternative app stores has been a major theme this year, particularly since Apple's mandated opening to them in regions like the EU. Flexion, having previously brought Candy Crush Solitaire to these alternative markets, is now facilitating access to EA's extensive mobile game catalog.
For gamers, this means more choices. Previously, the iOS App Store and Google Play were the dominant platforms for mobile gaming. However, legal challenges have prompted Apple and Google to relax certain anti-competitive practices, fostering the growth of alternative app stores. Many of these new platforms offer substantial incentives to attract users.
The Epic Games Store, with its free game program, exemplifies the potential benefits. While Flexion's partnership with EA may not replicate this exact model, it suggests greater flexibility in policies compared to Apple and Google's more rigid approaches.
The long-term implications are substantial. EA's participation, given its significant influence in the gaming industry, signals a clear trend for other developers. Their move suggests a viable future beyond the Apple and Google duopoly.
While the specific EA titles slated for alternative app stores remain undisclosed, potential candidates include Diablo Immortal and other Candy Crush games. This development promises a more diverse and competitive mobile gaming landscape.
