Mobile game discovery platform Skich launched an alternative iOS app store in the European Union on Thursday, capitalizing on new antitrust regulations to compete directly with Apple and rival marketplaces.
Capitalizing on the EU Digital Markets Act
The rollout of the Skich Store follows the enforcement of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This regulatory framework targets tech gatekeepers like Apple, enforcing strict rules to prevent monopolistic behavior and forcing iOS to permit third-party app stores for the first time.
The new marketplace targets European iPhone users, with game additions scheduled to begin at the end of March following the Game Developers Conference (GDC). The move places Skich in direct competition with rival alternative iOS storefronts, including Aptoide and Epic Games.
Social-First Features Redefine App Discovery
The Skich Store mirrors the interface of its original discovery app, integrating social mechanics rarely seen in traditional mobile marketplaces. Central to the platform is a Tinder-like recommendation engine where users swipe right or left to match with titles matching their gaming preferences.
Beyond swiping, the ecosystem allows gamers to build custom game playlists, follow developer profiles, and utilize an Activity feed to monitor real-time updates on what their friends are playing.
A Disruptive 15% Revenue Model
Skich plans to monetize its platform by charging developers a 15% commission on all upfront game sales and subsequent in-app purchases. This structure marks the company’s first-ever revenue generation stream, according to co-founder and CEO Sergey Budkovski.
By slashing Apple’s standard 30% App Store cut in half, Skich presents a financially attractive alternative for game creators. However, the store faces the steep challenge of building a substantial user base against Apple’s deeply entrenched app ecosystem.
Expansion Plans and Android Rollout
Skich currently draws roughly 100,000 monthly organic visitors to its web platform. According to Budkovski, the new store interface will eventually replace the existing Skich discovery app entirely, with an Android launch planned for May.
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