A Cyprus-headquartered gaming platform has swiftly launched its own Android store, Skich Store, taking advantage of Epic Games’ recent courtroom victory over Google. This new distribution option for developers and players is now available globally through direct APK downloads.
On Thursday, Skich Store announced its global availability for Android users, just days after a significant United States court ruling mandated Google to allow competing platforms within its Play Store. This landmark decision is poised to change the landscape of mobile app distribution on Android devices.
Skich Store, based in Limassol, has already established itself on iOS across the European Union. The platform is designed as a mobile-first solution, prioritising game discovery over the traditional pay-to-rank visibility prevalent in many app stores.
By circumventing Google Play’s regulations, algorithms, and billing systems, Skich Store offers developers a direct pathway to connect with audiences. Sergey Budkovski, the CEO and co-founder, highlighted the platform’s mission: “We’ve seen firsthand how broken discovery can be for mobile games, especially for teams without massive ad budgets. Launching on Android is not just our next step, it’s our most important one.”
Budkovski emphasised the platform’s commitment to providing a genuine alternative, stating, “We’re offering a real alternative where great games can rise on their own merit, not marketing spend.” The Skich Store began its journey earlier this year under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, initially as a discovery-focused app. Insights into player engagement with curated, interest-based recommendations have informed its evolution into a full mobile store.
Developer onboarding for the Android version is already in progress, with over 100 studios expressing interest in joining the platform shortly after its launch. Upcoming policy changes are anticipated to facilitate the installation of alternative app stores through official channels, thereby improving user safety and access. Google is also expected to open its Play Store app catalogue to other stores, further enhancing competition.
As the industry adapts to these new regulations and the implications of the Epic ruling, Skich Store aims to differentiate itself through discovery, community engagement, and user experience. The platform offers a simplified 15 per cent revenue share for developers while equipping players with tools to discover, follow, and engage with games through social features and personalised recommendations.
Currently available worldwide via APK download, Skich Store is also accessible on iOS across the European Union, with plans to expand into the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia before the year concludes. Backed by GEM Capital, a prominent games investor that supports various studios and platforms across Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region, Skich Store is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming market.
