Skich Enters the Fray as a New Contender in Alternative App Stores

With Apple's ecosystem now more open than ever, a wave of new alternative app stores has emerged on iOS, each vying to be the first to truly succeed. The latest to enter this competitive arena is Skich, a gaming-centric alt store that aims to differentiate itself from competitors like Apptoide by emphasizing gaming over other types of apps.

Skich's primary attraction is its robust discoverability system, which is built around three key features: a recommendation engine, a swipe-based discovery interface, and a social system that includes lists showing what games your friends and others with similar tastes are playing. These features may remind users of platforms like Steam, which is not necessarily a drawback. In contrast, the Epic Games Store on iOS, much like its PC version, lacks the social and discovery elements that users of Steam and, to a lesser extent, GOG, have come to expect.

Big Fish, Small Pond?

Skich's focus on enhancing game discovery and social interaction is a strong selling point. However, the question remains whether this alone will be sufficient to draw users away from established platforms. Epic Games Store lures players with free games, while Apptoide broadens its appeal by including a variety of apps beyond gaming. Skich's success hinges on its ability to attract gamers with its specialized features, but this is by no means guaranteed.

The landscape of alternative app stores is evolving rapidly, with major publishers like EA and Flexion joining forces to create their own platforms. This trend suggests a future where official app stores might take a backseat to innovative newcomers. Skich has a chance to carve out a niche in this burgeoning market, but it will need to navigate the challenges of standing out in a crowded and dynamic space.