After the Digital Markets Act (DMA) forced Apple to allow third-party app stores for iOS in Europe, many developers have launched alternative stores, such as AltStore and MacPaw’s Setapp (currently in closed beta). The latest entry is Aptoid, the long-time Android App Store upstart, which is launching a game store in Europe.
The company announced today that users will be able to download and use its game store on iOS on June 6.
Aptoide is initially launching the store with six titles, with plans to add more later. The company mentioned that more than 100 developers are ready to launch their games on the App Store, but with Apple’s notarization process, the formal launch takes time.
Launch titles include Word Jungle, a word puzzle; Condor — Leap of Faith, a jump-based platformer game; All-in-one Solitaire, a collection of different solitaire games; All-in-One Mahjong, a collection of various Mahjong games; Charades — Guess the word, another word puzzle game.
Currently, Word Jungle is the only game with in-app purchases. Apptoide has a unique model because it charges developers differently for in-app purchases. If a user discovers an app through a search or recommendation on the App Store, the company charges a 20% fee, but if the developer acquires users through paid advertising or through its community channels, Aptoide charges a 10% fee for in-app purchases. recovers. . Developers are allowed to point to their websites with a 10% fee going to Apptoide for these transactions.
The startup said it went through the tedious process of applying as an alternative app store to Apple. He says the tech giant isn’t always responsive.
TechCrunch briefly tested the App Store. The installation process is quite simple. Once you get the invitation or access code, you can access the app store download link. You have to go into settings and allow the app store to download from this unknown source (Aptoide).
The company plans to waitlist 500 to 1,000 users per day after launch. The startup is doing this to ensure it stays under the cap of 1 million annual first installs per year to avoid paying a core technology fee of €0.50 for each first install.
Aptoide has been operating in the app store space since 2009 with an Android client. Last year, the Android App Store reached nearly half a billion downloads.
The experience of running the App Store on Android may be easier for Aptoid to an extent, but iOS is a different ball game with Apple’s own rules and restrictions. Also, with other stores competing for user attention in the EU, the company will need to attract some unique games to its store.