The partnership between Flexion and EA marks another significant stride towards expanding the availability of EA's mobile game catalog to alternative app stores. This move enhances accessibility for gamers who opt out of using Google Play or the iOS App Store, signaling a pivotal shift in how major publishers view distribution beyond the traditional giants, Apple and Google.

Alternative app stores have been a hot topic this year, especially since Apple opened its doors to them in regions like the EU. Flexion, who previously brought Candy Crush Solitaire to these platforms, has now teamed up again with EA to further diversify the mobile gaming landscape.

You might be wondering, "What does this mean for me?" Up until now, the iOS App Store and Google Play have been the primary venues for mobile game distribution. However, recent legal battles have compelled Apple and Google to reconsider their restrictive policies, paving the way for alternative app stores. This shift is great news for players, as these new platforms often roll out attractive incentives to draw in users.

Take the Epic Games Store, for instance, with its popular free game program. While the platforms Flexion is targeting with EA's back-catalogue may not offer free games, they're likely to introduce more flexible policies that Apple and Google have historically resisted.

Looking at the bigger picture, EA's move is telling. As a behemoth in the gaming industry, known for acquiring smaller studios, EA's decision to embrace alternative app stores suggests a broader industry trend. If EA sees potential in these platforms, it's a strong indicator for other publishers to follow suit.

While we don't yet know which specific EA games will hit these alternative stores, speculation points towards titles like Diablo Immortal and other Candy Crush games. This development promises to enrich the mobile gaming ecosystem, offering players more choices and potentially better deals outside of the conventional app stores.