Skich: A New Contender in the iOS Alt-App Store Arena
Apple's ecosystem has seen a surge of alternative app stores vying for dominance. The latest entrant, Skich, aims to carve a niche by focusing exclusively on gaming. Can it succeed in this rapidly expanding market?
Skich's core strength lies in its innovative discoverability features. It leverages a three-pronged approach: a recommendation engine, a swipe-based browsing system, and a social component featuring friend lists and curated lists based on shared gaming preferences. This approach mirrors the success of Steam, emphasizing community and ease of discovery.
A key differentiator for Skich is its address of a weakness seen in other iOS alt-stores like the Epic Games Store. Epic's iOS offering, like its PC counterpart, lacks the robust social features and discoverability mechanisms that players expect from platforms such as Steam and GOG.
Can Skich Make a Splash?
While Skich's gamer-centric approach is a strong selling point, its ultimate success remains uncertain. Competitors like Epic Games (with its free game offerings) and Apptoide (with its broader app selection) present significant challenges. To thrive, Skich needs a compelling reason to draw users away from established platforms.
However, the increasing involvement of major publishers like EA and Flexion in the alt-app store landscape suggests a potential shift. The future may see official app stores playing a secondary role to more innovative, user-focused alternatives. Skich's success will depend on its ability to capitalize on this evolving market dynamic.
