Following the addition of Spotify to the Epic Games Store, five non-gaming apps have been added to Epic's shelves, including rival game store Itch.io.

New software package bundles include Krita, a digital art package; Brave, an open source web browser; KenShape, a quick and simple 3D modeling tool; iHeartRadio, a digital radio channel (for US users for U.S. users), and other welcome new tools to the Epic store. All of these are listed in the store's new "Apps" subcategory, making it easier to find things other than games.

But the real head-scratcher is the addition of Itch.io, a competing storefront focused on experimental indies from platformers. Itch.io apps can now be downloaded from Epic, but one game app I have a hard time understanding why you would want to open a second app via.

For me, Itch is a better storefront. But while it's a great place to start weird experiments and host game jams, it doesn't have nearly the cultural footprint of Epic, and a spot on Sweeney's platform could bring many indie games in front of a new audience.

Epic has a strong presence on the Sweeney platform.

Epic's motives may not be so generous. The company is currently engaged in a major legal battle with Apple over its iOS monopoly; Epic wants to put its own store on the App Store, and by putting Itch on the Epic Store, the company is effectively asking Apple, "If we can do it, why can't you?

Of course, the Itch app is available for download outside of Epic, and it appears that Epic will not get any share from sales via the launcher; CEO Tim Sweeney is opposed to any unwarranted store cuts, and Epic is investing millions of dollars to keep the store alive. already proven that it is investing millions of dollars to keep the store alive.