Flexion, EA to Bring Mobile Games to New Stores

• Flexion and EA have teamed up again to bring EA’s mobile catalog to alternative app stores.
• This move boosts accessibility for users who don’t rely on Google Play or the iOS App Store.
• It also signals a major shift in how large publishers view opportunities beyond Apple and Google’s ecosystems.

This has been a landmark year for alternative app marketplaces. Since Apple was compelled to open its doors to such stores in regions like the EU, the topic has dominated industry conversations. Now, Flexion—which previously brought titles like Candy Crush Saga to alternative platforms—has partnered with EA once more to distribute the publisher’s mobile back catalog across other storefronts.

You might be wondering, “What does this mean for me?” Until now, the primary avenues for publishing mobile games have been the iOS App Store and Google Play—essentially the only real games in town.

However, following legal challenges that pushed Apple and Google to adjust certain competitive practices, the industry has seen a clear shift toward alternative app stores. For everyday players, the upside is that many of these platforms are rolling out strong incentives to attract users.

Look no further than the Epic Games Store and its free-game program as an example. While the stores hosting EA’s catalog may not go to that extreme, they will likely adopt more flexible policies—areas where Apple and Google have traditionally been restrictive.

In the long run, what does this signal? EA is one of gaming’s most influential giants, known for acquiring and integrating smaller studios. If EA is aligning with this trend, it paves the way for broader industry adoption.

We don’t yet have a full list of games heading to these alternative stores, but likely candidates include titles like Diablo Immortal and additional entries from the Candy Crush franchise.