Skich Store Launches Android Platform Following Epic Games’ Courtroom Victory
A Cyprus-headquartered gaming platform has quickly capitalized on Epic Games’ recent legal win against Google by launching its own Android store. Skich Store, based in Limassol, is now globally available for Android users through direct APK download from https://skich.app.
The move comes shortly after a US court ruling compelled Google to open the Play Store to competing platforms, signaling a significant shift in Android app distribution.
Skich Store, already live on iOS in the European Union, differentiates itself as a mobile-first platform emphasizing game discovery over pay-to-rank visibility.
By bypassing Google Play’s regulations, algorithms, and payment systems, the Android version offers developers a direct path to their target audience.
CEO and co-founder Sergey Budkovski stated, “We’ve experienced the challenges of mobile game discovery firsthand, especially for smaller teams without large advertising budgets. Launching on Android is not just our next step, it’s our most crucial one.”
Skich Store initially launched in the EU under the Digital Markets Act, starting as a discovery-focused app and transitioning into a full mobile store based on player engagement with curated recommendations.
Developer onboarding for the Android version is underway, with over 100 studios expressing interest post-launch.
Anticipated policy changes will enable users to install alternative app stores through official channels, eliminating the need for APKs and enhancing safety and accessibility.
As the industry adjusts to new regulations and the Epic ruling, factors like discovery, community, and user experience are expected to become key differentiators beyond app availability.
Skich Store offers developers a simplified 15% revenue share and equips players with tools for game discovery, social features, recommendations, and integrated functions.
The Android version of Skich Store is now accessible worldwide via APK download, while the iOS version is available in the EU, with plans for expansion to the UK, Japan, and Australia by year-end.
Backed by GEM Capital, a prominent games investor supporting studios and platforms in Europe and the Middle East/North Africa region, Skich Store aims to carve out a niche in the evolving app distribution landscape.
