Development
Xsolla and Skich partner to power payments across alternative mobile game marketplaces
May 13, 2026•2 min
The mobile gaming landscape is shifting. Regulatory changes across the EU, Japan, and the US are cracking open a market long dominated by a handful of platform gatekeepers, and developers are paying attention. Today, Xsolla and Skich announced a strategic partnership designed to help studios capitalize on this moment.
What the Partnership Means for Developers
Under the agreement, Xsolla will serve as Merchant of Record for all in-app purchases and paid game sales distributed through the Skich Store. In practice, that means Xsolla takes on the heavy lifting: payment processing, tax collection, refunds, and regulatory compliance, all managed on the developer's behalf.
Developers distributing through Skich will also gain access to Xsolla's Mobile SDK and Publisher Account, giving them real-time visibility into transaction data and revenue reporting. For studios already familiar with Xsolla's infrastructure, the integration slots into an existing workflow. For those new to alternative distribution, it removes one of the biggest friction points: building a compliant commerce layer from scratch.
Who Is Skich?
Skich is an alternative mobile game marketplace operating on iOS in the EU, enabled by Apple's compliance with the Digital Markets Act, and on Android globally. It's built around game discovery and direct player engagement, positioning itself as a genuine alternative to traditional platform storefronts rather than a supplement.
Why Now?
The timing is deliberate. The regulatory environment for alternative distribution has shifted significantly. The EU's Digital Markets Act has already opened iOS to third-party marketplaces across Europe. Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act has introduced similar requirements. And by mid-2026, Google Play will be required to open up to alternative stores in the US, with Android also rolling out a simplified installation process for third-party marketplaces worldwide.
That's a meaningful expansion of the addressable market, and it's arriving quickly.
A Commerce Layer for the Open Mobile Era
"The alternative app store ecosystem is maturing rapidly," said Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla. "Our partnership with Skich gives developers a compliant, scalable way to monetize through emerging distribution channels."
Developers can get started through Xsolla's Publisher Account at publisher.xsolla.com.
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