Apple App Store vs. Google Play Store - Which Has More Exclusive Mobile Games?

Apple and Google are reportedly encouraging developers to create games exclusively for the iOS and Android operating systems.

The two companies are apparently offering promotional placement in their app stores for game titles that are launched exclusively for the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Although game developers aren't being directly paid to develop exclusive titles, being featured at the top of either platform offers the opportunity for a considerable increase in sales and recognition.

Apple Taking the Lead in Mobile Game Exclusives

While both companies have been welcoming mobile game exclusives in multiple forms, Apple has been much more aggressive in pursuing specific titles and developers.

Apple landed a 2-month exclusivity deal with Electronic Arts (EA) for the popular title Plants vs Zombies 2. Which meant the game became exclusively available on iOS for at least two months before it was launched in the Google Play store.

Likewise, Zeptolab agreed to launch Cut the Rope 2 exclusively on iOS for three months before its release on Android.

Apple allegedly was in the process of arranging a similar deal with Gameloft, but it didn't go through.

In contrast, the Google Play Store hasn't had as many major exclusives, with the few notable exceptions being Final Fantasy VI and Rage of the Immortals (both of which had a month headstart on Android).

Other than that, Google has supposedly been rewarding developers that integrate Android branding into game environments.

For example, Google Play made a deal with Russian developer Game Insight to provide discounts on in-game items shaped like the Android mascot.

However, Apple has landed much more high-profile exclusive titles, including but not limited to Deus Ex: The Fall, Threes, Ridiculous Fishing, Hearthstone, The Room 2, and XCOM: Enemy Unknown.

Google Not in a Rush to Secure Exclusives

Furthermore, Google doesn't appear to be actively pursuing exclusivity contracts with major developers like Electronic Arts.

Instead, the search engine turned tech giant seems to be casually encouraging all developers to integrate Android branding into gameplay and in-game items, while also welcoming occasional exclusive launches to the Google Play store.

As for why Google isn't pushing for exclusivity deals as much as Apple? It could be because Android is currently holding a much larger market share than iOS.

Thus, loading the Apple App store with the hottest exclusive game titles may be a strategic move by Apple to attract mobile gamers over to the trailing iOS operating system.

Amazon Game Exclusives Also Worthy of Mention

Even Amazon has been getting in on the exclusive mobile game competition, recently securing the exclusive release of Angry Birds Rio for Android, which was initially made available to Android users solely through the burgeoning Amazon Appstore. 

In addition, Amazon has even begun developing its own mobile games, which are also available through their app store.

In the past year, Amazon has improved upon its Android-based operating system called Fire OS for the Kindle platform, launched a streaming television service called Fire TV, and added a new Wearable Technology web store to its site.

With the eCommerce superstore venturing into so many areas of tech it is not surprising to see it attracting mobile gamers to its diverse new app store.

While Apple and Google stand firm at the top of the mobile computing industry with their iOS and Android operating systems, Amazon appears to be a neutral third party that is aiming to cater to the needs of all mobile device users.