With Apple's ecosystem now more open than ever, the race to become the first successful alternative app store on iOS is heating up. Enter Skich, the latest contender in the altstore space, which sets itself apart by zeroing in on gaming. Unlike generalist platforms like Apptoide, Skich aims to carve out a niche by offering a more focused experience for gamers.
At the heart of Skich's strategy is its robust discoverability system, designed to help users find new games effortlessly. This system revolves around three key features: a sophisticated recommendation engine, a swipe-based discovery interface, and a social component that includes lists showcasing what your friends and users with similar tastes are playing. These elements may remind you of Steam, and that's not a bad thing. In contrast, the Epic Games Store for iOS, while successful in other areas, has been critiqued for lacking the social and discovery features that platforms like Steam and GOG offer.
Skich's emphasis on these gamer-centric features is certainly a compelling selling point. However, the question remains: is it enough to lure users away from their established habits? Epic Games Store entices users with free games, while Apptoide diversifies its offerings to include a broader range of apps. Skich's success hinges on whether its focus on gaming and discovery can stand out in this crowded field. While there's potential, the path to success is far from guaranteed.
The landscape of alternative app stores is becoming increasingly competitive, especially with major publishers like EA and Flexion joining forces to explore new opportunities. This shift could lead to a future where these up-and-coming platforms challenge the dominance of official app stores, reshaping the mobile gaming ecosystem as we know it.
