With Apple's ecosystem now more open, a surge of new alternative app stores has emerged, vying to become the first successful alt app store on iOS. Enter Skich, the latest contender, which sets itself apart by focusing exclusively on gaming. Skich aims to differentiate itself from competitors like Apptoide by prioritizing gaming and introducing innovative discoverability mechanics.
Skich's core strategy revolves around enhancing user engagement through three key features: a recommendation system, a swipe-based discovery system, and a social system that includes lists, allowing users to see what games their friends and others with similar interests are playing. These features draw parallels to platforms like Steam, which is known for its robust social and discovery features. This similarity isn't necessarily a drawback, especially when competitors like the Epic Games Store on iOS lack comparable social functionalities.
Big Fish, Small Pond? Skich's emphasis on gaming and discoverability is undoubtedly a strong selling point. However, the question remains whether this focus alone will be sufficient to capture a significant market share. In the current landscape, alternative app stores must offer compelling reasons for users to shift from their accustomed platforms.
Epic Games Store entices users with free games, while Apptoide diversifies by offering a broader range of apps. Skich's gamer-first approach holds promise, but its success is far from guaranteed. The growing interest from major publishers, such as the recent collaboration between EA and Flexion, suggests that the future might see official app stores playing second fiddle to these innovative newcomers.
In summary, Skich's unique focus on gaming and its advanced discoverability features position it well within the altstore space. However, its ability to draw users away from established platforms will be the true test of its potential success.
