Skich Launches EU iOS Game Store to Challenge Apple

Skich, the discovery platform known for its Tinder-style interface for mobile gaming, is expanding into the marketplace arena. The company confirmed the upcoming launch of the Skich Store for iOS users within the European Union, positioning itself as a direct competitor to major third-party outlets like Aptoide and the Epic Games Store.

The move is made possible by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that Apple must allow third-party app stores on its ecosystem to foster fair competition. According to the company, the new store is scheduled to begin onboarding game titles late this March, shortly after the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

A Social Approach to App Discovery

Unlike traditional digital storefronts, the Skich Store integrates the social discovery mechanics that define the platform’s existing web presence. Key features of the new marketplace include:

• Swipe-based discovery: Users swipe left or right to match with games tailored to their preferences.
• Social connectivity: An Activity feed allows players to monitor what friends are currently playing.
• Curation tools: Users can organize titles into personalized playlists.
• Developer engagement: Dedicated profiles for creators to showcase their full catalog of titles.

Skich currently reports approximately 100,000 organic monthly visitors to its web platform. CEO and co-founder Sergey Budkovski noted that this venture marks the company’s first move into revenue generation, with plans to replace the current Skich app with the new store interface in the near future.

Revenue Model and Market Strategy

The company is adopting a competitive pricing strategy to attract developers. Skich will take a 15% commission on both initial purchases and in-app transactions made through games downloaded from its store. This fee structure is significantly lower than the 30% cut typically charged by Apple’s App Store, offering a potential incentive for developers to migrate.

While the iOS rollout is the primary focus under the EU regulations, Skich has confirmed that an Android version of the marketplace is slated for release in May. The long-term challenge for the firm remains scaling its user base to compete with the sheer volume of content and established traffic dominance of the native App Store.

For more information on the platform’s evolution, visit Skich.