The future of mass digital distribution inches ever closer, as Stardock throws its hat into the ring with Impulse. Although Impulse does have Sins of a Solar Empire, The Political Machine '08, Penny Arcade: OTRSPODE1 and touts "more than 100 games," many of them are currently third-tier titles.
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 (17)
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 7:14PM Colonel Falafel said
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.
Reply
I bought my copy for $40 at Best Buy.
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 8:23PM EngadgetSoFunny said
Maybe he's including taxes?
For some reason, I can't help but think....'Impulse: Had an Impulse to copy Steam's success'.
Reply
For some reason, I can't help but think....'Impulse: Had an Impulse to copy Steam's success'.
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 5:53PM (Unverified) said
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.
Reply
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.
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 5:54PM (Unverified) said
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.
Reply
Expanded information here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/islanddog/2504824853
Source, Game Informer.
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 5:55PM (Unverified) said
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.
Reply
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 6:26PM falcomadol said
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.
Reply
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 6:56PM (Unverified) said
Yes, because everyone knows competition is a bad thing...
Reply
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 6:50PM falcomadol said
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?
Reply
Posted: Jun 19th 2008 7:08AM (Unverified) said
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.
Reply
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.
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 10:11PM (Unverified) said
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.
Reply
Posted: Jun 17th 2008 10:06PM (Unverified) said
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...
Reply
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...
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