Skich: The App Revolutionizing Mobile Game Discovery and Distribution
In the ever-evolving world of mobile gaming, one app has emerged as a game-changer in the way we discover and access our favorite games. Skich, initially developed as a discovery and recommendation app for mobile games, is now expanding its horizons by creating its own alternative app store. With new regulations in effect for app stores, Skich aims to provide a unique and personalized gaming experience for its users.
The app, designed for the age of swiping left or right, allows users to express their interest in games by sorting, collecting, launching, and deleting them as desired. Skich goes beyond traditional recommendation algorithms by analyzing player preferences and behaviors to make tailored recommendations. The app can identify the best game of the week for each user, ensuring that they never miss out on the latest and greatest titles.
Since its inception, Skich has gained significant traction, attracting approximately 100,000 users and experiencing a monthly organic growth rate of 25%. The team has also launched a web-based product to further expand its audience base. By prioritizing product metrics over audience growth, Skich aims to create the best possible user experience while preparing for its transition into a full-fledged app store.
Sergey Budkovski, CEO of Skich, expressed his excitement about the company’s future plans. In an interview with GamesBeat at the Game Developers Conference, Budkovski stated, “Our goal is to change mobile gaming the same way Spotify changed the music industry.” Drawing inspiration from Spotify’s success in revolutionizing music distribution, Skich aims to provide game developers with a unique platform to reach their target audience without the limitations imposed by traditional app stores.
The timing of Skich’s expansion into an alternative app store couldn’t be more perfect. The European Union’s Digital Markets Act has paved the way for developers to establish their own app stores without facing repercussions in the European market. This development aligns with Skich’s vision of challenging the dominance of existing app stores and creating a more open and competitive gaming ecosystem.
Despite the upcoming competition, with Epic Games and Microsoft set to launch their own stores, Budkovski remains optimistic about Skich’s prospects. He emphasized that Skich’s focus is not to compete with popular titles like Call of Duty or Fortnite but rather to provide a unique discoverability experience for developers and users alike. By leveraging player recommendations and analyzing user behavior, Skich offers a new way for gamers to explore titles beyond what is traditionally pushed at them.
Skich’s innovative swiping feature allows users to express their interest in games effortlessly. By swiping left, users can add games to their wish list, while swiping right indicates their disinterest. The app also includes a “show playtime” feature, enabling users to track their gaming hours and identify their most played games. With over 400,000 games available and 30,000 available for personal selection, Skich provides a vast library of titles to choose from. Budkovski assured users that all games will be made available for personal selection in the coming months.
Skich’s personalized recommendation system takes inspiration from Spotify’s ability to understand users’ musical preferences. By analyzing player data and studying game developer profiles, Skich can match users with games they are likely to enjoy. The app also allows users to follow their friends and see what games they add to their lists in real time, fostering a sense of community and shared gaming experiences.
Upon downloading the app, I was immediately drawn in by its addictive swiping feature. It effortlessly made recommendations based on my stated preferences, showcasing strategy, sci-fi, and military games that aligned with my interests. However, the app’s insistence on turning on notifications and completing various tasks within the first few minutes felt slightly overwhelming. Nevertheless, I can see the potential of Skich in making more accurate recommendations as it gets to know me better.
Skich’s journey began as a pet project in 2020 but quickly gained momentum, leading the team to work on it full-time in April 2022. With the support of initial funding and a recent seed round raising $1 million, Skich has grown into a team of seven dedicated individuals who release new content on a weekly basis. Budkovski expressed his excitement about Skich’s evolution, stating, “We are the best product on the market that can match gamers and games. And we have a better solution for game developers.”
As Skich continues to evolve and comply with EU laws, it is poised to revolutionize the mobile gaming industry. With its unique approach to game discovery and distribution, Skich aims to empower both developers and gamers by providing a more personalized and inclusive gaming experience. As Budkovski proclaimed, “We can find the really nice game mechanics. You can find an audience on Skich.” With its user-centric focus and commitment to innovation, Skich is set to reshape the future of mobile gaming.