GameFly planning to release game-focused app store for Android

GameFly is apparently not content to sit out the mobile gaming revolution. According to the company’s latest announcement, GameFly will be following in Amazon’s footsteps and rolling out its own Android app store. The main difference being that this one will be focusing on games.

The other piece of the puzzle is that GameFly plans to fund game developers to create Android games. Presumably, those titles would then be exclusive to the GameFly store. Amazon has dabbled in exclusive releases on its store, but also has its already huge retail operation backing the Appstore for Android. Developers of iOS apps can still have games funded by GameFly, but all the sales will happen through the existing Apple-approved channels.

Google does not restrict app installs like Apple does, so any service is free to distribute APK files to be manually installed. Amazon managed to make the process fairly seamless, but it’s still nowhere as smooth as the official Play Store. GameFly will have some work to do before anyone will give it the time of day.

The challenge for GameFly is going to be whether or not it can convince users to install its Android client. Many people frequent the company’s website where they could encounter ads and promotions, but that’s nothing compared to Amazon’s traffic and reach with consumers.

Developers have openly complained about the restrictions and review process in the Amazon store, so GameFly might be able to earn some good will there if it makes things easier on devs. The Google Play Store has gone through some rough patches, but it’s getting very good these days. GameFly is going to have to bring big games to its store to garner any real attention.

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