With Apple's ecosystem becoming more open, a wave of new alternative app stores has emerged, each vying to be the first successful alt app store on iOS. Enter Skich, the latest contender with a unique focus on gaming, aiming to differentiate itself from competitors like Apptoide by concentrating on gaming-specific features rather than a broader app range.
Skich's primary strategy revolves around its advanced discoverability system, which includes three key components: a recommendation system, a swipe-based discovery feature, and a social system. These features allow users to see what games their friends and others with similar tastes are playing, drawing parallels to the well-regarded Steam platform. This approach addresses a notable gap in the Epic Games Store for iOS, which, like its PC counterpart, lacks robust social and discovery features that users of platforms like Steam and GOG have come to expect.
Big fish, small pond? Skich's emphasis on these gamer-first features is undoubtedly its core selling point. However, the challenge lies in whether this will be sufficient to draw users away from established platforms. Epic Games Store lures players with free games, while Apptoide offers a wider range of apps. Skich's success, therefore, hinges on its ability to effectively attract gamers with its specialized focus.
While Skich's future is uncertain, the growing interest from major publishers like EA and Flexion's recent collaboration signals a potential shift where alternative app stores might overshadow the traditional ones. Skich has a chance, but its success is far from guaranteed in this rapidly evolving landscape.
