Stardock launches Impulse digital distribution system
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 17th 2008 at 5:30PM }
Much like the upgrades to Steam, Impulse will support online save game data, multiplayer matchmaking and game rankings. Also, if a publisher takes advantage of the service, Impulse allows users to tie games to their accounts -- even if they weren't purchased through Impulse -- meaning they'll be available to re-download at any point in the future without hunting for discs or activation codes. There's plenty of other information for PC users to scour over on the Impulse website.
It's good for consumers to see more competition in the digital distribution marketplace and we're more than happy with the new features Impulse and Steam are adding. Now Impulse just has to grow its library so it doesn't get lost in the haze of Steam.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jcd @ Jun 17th 2008 5:43PM
I have been meaning to buy sins, maybe I'll buy it now
jcd @ Jun 17th 2008 6:47PM
daym, still 50 bucks. lol I'm too cheap
Thatoneguy64 @ Jun 17th 2008 7:14PM
What are you talking about? Sins of a Solar Empire costs $40 in the store, and $45 on Impulse.
I bought my copy for $40 at Best Buy.
Wes @ Jun 17th 2008 8:23PM
Maybe he's including taxes?
For some reason, I can't help but think....'Impulse: Had an Impulse to copy Steam's success'.
Farseer (GDI) @ Jun 17th 2008 5:53PM
Digital distribution would be the future... had we not been so complacent with having broadband tied tightly to the cable companies.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2008/tc2008063_767960.htm?chan=search
If we don't have a widespread broadband solution that is independent of the cable companies in the next few years, then we're headed right back to the age of an email/web surfing internet. Unless, of course, you want to pay for activity by the Gb.
Titanium_Orchid @ Jun 17th 2008 5:54PM
Kudos to Stardock for trying to make PC gaming a more streamlined experience.
Expanded information here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/islanddog/2504824853
Source, Game Informer.
Geoff Gibson @ Jun 17th 2008 5:55PM
Been using Impulse all day and I am very impressed with it so far. I downloaded the Political Machine 2008 and it was very smooth and very easy, easier than Steam actually. I think I may register all my games with Impulse from now on rather than Steam, but still continue to use Steam for Steam-sclusive titles.
J.Goodwin @ Jun 17th 2008 6:26PM
This needs to stop. We need one or two stores, we don't need every game publisher launching their own storefront with their own private garden IM software.
GMonkey @ Jun 17th 2008 6:56PM
Yes, because everyone knows competition is a bad thing...
J.Goodwin @ Jun 17th 2008 6:50PM
Um, in other news, has anyone noticed that the comments on Joystiq are a really bizarre shade of Green with totally nasty aliasing in Firefox 3?
finnith @ Jun 17th 2008 10:30PM
Wow, you're right, I just noticed that the comments are coloured olive.I guess the Joystiq devs should get on this.
nutman @ Jun 17th 2008 6:53PM
Supposedly they're gonna get like every publisher on board because the publishers will get 80% revenue from each game purchased. Which is a LOT.
t_m @ Jun 19th 2008 7:08AM
Though, the advantage of things like Steam was suppose to be that devs could sell their products direct to the public, and get a bigger cut.
How it seems to have worked out is that the PUBLISHERS use Steam to sell their products, and the Devs end up getting an even smaller cut of the profits.
Hopefully now there are at least 3 decent online distribution systems more Devs will start selling directly and cut out the middlemen.
nutman @ Jun 19th 2008 9:51AM
A lot of them will require the publisher to make the game though. In fact every big game will require a publisher. They're the ones funding the project. Thats why publishers can easily screw with developers. The developer needs the publisher.
PojoMofo @ Jun 17th 2008 6:53PM
Does anyone think they will give steam a run for there money?? I doubt it
dc @ Jun 17th 2008 10:11PM
I just bought political machine today. It was nice having the option to download the game and have a physical copy shipped to you as well. But I really hated having to sign up for another service especially when Steam is already doing an amazing job.
Mythor @ Jun 17th 2008 10:06PM
It also has Galactic Civilizations 2, plus the expansions. Not exactly "third tier other than these three titles". ;)
Of course Stardock aren't actually "throwing their hat in the ring" here, either, as they've been doing digital distribution longer than most. It's just Impulse that is new. They previously ran their gaming stuff through Stardock Central, alongside their other products like WindowBlinds, etc.
Steam can only force Impulse to get "lost in the mist" by getting all the games Impulse has available onto Steam. If the only place you can buy a digital copy of a certain game is Impulse, people will go there.
Impulse can also avoid getting lost in the mist by offering things Steam can't or won't - WindowBlinds, for example...