With Apple's ecosystem becoming more open, a wave of new alternative app stores has emerged, vying to become the first successful alt app store on iOS. The latest to join the fray is Skich, a gaming-centric platform that aims to stand out in the crowded altstore space by focusing heavily on gaming rather than a broad range of apps.
Skich's unique selling proposition is its robust discoverability system, which is built around three key features: a recommendation system, a swipe-based discovery system, and a social system that includes lists showcasing what your friends and others with similar tastes are playing. These elements may remind users of Steam, which is not necessarily a negative comparison. One of the drawbacks of the Epic Games Store for iOS, for instance, is its lack of social features and discoverability tools that are standard on platforms like Steam and, to a lesser extent, GOG.
Big Fish, Small Pond?
Skich certainly has a compelling core feature set. However, its success is not guaranteed. In the evolving iOS ecosystem, new storefronts need to draw users away from established platforms. Epic Games Store entices users with free games, while Apptoide attracts users with a wider variety of apps. Skich's gamer-first approach could work, but it faces an uphill battle.
Despite the challenges, the increasing interest from major publishers like EA and Flexion, who have recently teamed up to create alternative app stores, suggests a future where these new entrants might overshadow the traditional official storefronts.
