Skich is the next competitor to take a swing at the new alternative app store market

Skich: A New Contender in the iOS Alt-App Store Arena

The iOS landscape has exploded with alternative app stores since Apple's ecosystem opened up. Skich is the latest entrant, aiming to carve a niche with its gaming-centric approach. Unlike more general-purpose alternatives like Apptoide, Skich focuses squarely on games, hoping to differentiate itself through superior discoverability.

Skich's core strength lies in its innovative discovery system. It boasts a recommendation engine, a swipe-based browsing experience, and a social element featuring friend lists and curated lists based on similar gaming tastes. This approach mirrors the success of Steam, leveraging social interaction and personalized recommendations to help users find new games. This contrasts with the relative lack of social features in other iOS alt-stores, such as the Epic Games Store, which has carried over its PC iteration's shortcomings.

Will Skich Succeed?

While Skich's gamer-focused features are a strong selling point, its success is far from guaranteed. The market is crowded, and attracting users away from established platforms requires a compelling incentive. Competitors like Epic Games Store offer free games, while Apptoide provides broader app access. Skich's success hinges on whether its superior discoverability can overcome these established advantages.

However, the increasing involvement of major publishers like EA and Flexion Mobile suggests a potential shift in the balance of power. The future may see alternative app stores, like Skich, gaining significant traction, potentially eclipsing the official app store in popularity.