Skich, a mobile game discovery platform, has announced the launch of its alternative mobile games store, Skich Store, for iOS users in the European Union. This move marks a significant challenge to Apple's App Store dominance, particularly in the wake of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulation.

The Skich Store, set to begin adding titles at the end of March, will offer a unique blend of social features and game discovery mechanics. The store's interface, reminiscent of the current Skich app, allows users to swipe through games, create playlists, and access an Activity section to see what friends are playing. Additionally, users can view developer profiles to explore more titles. These features aim to differentiate Skich Store from traditional app stores.

The EU's DMA regulation, which restricts iOS from banning third-party app stores, has created an opportunity for alternative marketplaces like Skich Store to emerge. Skich's 15% commission on purchases and in-app transactions is significantly lower than Apple's 30% cut, making it a potentially more appealing option for developers.

However, attracting a large player base will be a significant challenge for Skich, given the established dominance of the App Store, which boasts millions of apps and games. Skich claims its web platform currently attracts 100,000 organic visitors per month, but it remains to be seen whether this will translate to success in the competitive mobile games market.

Skich's co-founder and CEO, Sergey Budkovski, revealed that the store is expected to replace the existing Skich app in the near future. An Android version of the Skich Store is also slated for launch in May, further expanding the platform's reach.

The implications of Skich Store's launch are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the mobile gaming industry as a whole. As the EU's DMA regulation takes effect, we can expect to see more alternative marketplaces emerge, challenging the traditional app store model. Skich Store's innovative approach to game discovery and social features may just be the catalyst needed to disrupt the status quo.

As the mobile gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Skich Store fares in the market. With its unique features and competitive commission rates, Skich may just be the dark horse that shakes up the industry.