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Impulse

Developer(s)	Stardock
Initial release	June 17, 2008[1]
Stable release	3.22.444  (Sept 09) [+/−]
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Type	Content delivery
License	Proprietary / Freeware
Website	http://www.impulsedriven.com/

Impulse is a digital distribution and multiplayer platform developed by Stardock and is the successor of Stardock Central. It is used to digitally distribute and manage games and software primarily from Stardock and its affiliates which includes Activision,^[2] Ubisoft,^[2] Epic Games, THQ, AVG, Iolo Technologies, Gas Powered Games, Hothead Games, Ironclad Games, Meridian4 and many others.^[3]

Impulse client functionality

Impulse allows users to purchase and manage access to games and software. Purchased software is tied to the purchaser's email address on the Stardock's servers, from which it can be accessed and downloaded from anywhere that allows the use of the Impulse client.

Storefront

Impulse provides a storefront that supports localized currencies, territory restrictions and an improved process for refunds. Features are similar to what is available from other digital distribution platforms like Steam.

Software management

Impulse allows users to install, update and uninstall the games and software tied to a user's account. Users can choose when to update since updates are not mandatory. In addition, users who purchase Impulse-supported games at retail stores can simply download the client and install their previously purchased software on their computers without the original disc after registration of the game to an account.

Software backup

Impulse allows users to archive their purchased software and games to a digital archive which users can copy to a backup medium, and later restore to functionality. This is useful since one can revert to a functional version of the software if the latest version is not up to expectations, as opposed to mandatory updates that cannot be reverted.

Common Virtual Platform

Games can make API calls for multiplayer features. More consistency across games provides a better experience.

Common Virtual Drive

Games will be able to write data out to a virtual hard drive on the net which can store game-saves, virtual keyboard and preference, files and more.

Common Community Network

Games will be able to query information from the Impulse community infrastructure.

Criticism

Exclusive patches

Impulse, used for delivering patches, has been criticised for causing the decline in availability of standalone patches. While it provides convenient and smaller updates for internet-connected users, users without availability of internet access face no other option to update their game via standalone patches. The only other way to update a game is to install Impulse on another connected computer, get an updated copy of the software or game before transferring it to an archive medium where it can be restored to the unconnected computer. However, the process is not feasible for people with limited access on public or corporate computers. Furthermore, the availability of these patches in the event that the company goes out of business is uncertain.

Resale limitations

Impulse does not support the resale of games.^[4] The product is transferable only when a user is buying a secondary copy for another person, via the support system.

Re-sales are likely to be made possible with Game Object Obfuscation, or GOO for short. GOO is Stardock's client-free DRM solution which allows neutrality between the competing digital stores. ^[5]

Fences 0.99 controversy

Stardock attracted criticism in September 2009 when the latest release of one of its products - desktop organizer Fences - was bundled with Impulse without mentioning this on the product description or download page. Fences had been available as a stand-alone product until that time, whereas version 0.99 was made available only with bundled Impulse and considerable additional software requirements (Internet Explorer 7 and Microsoft .NET Framework), but neither of these facts was mentioned in the product description or download page for Fences, so that users would only be notified during installation. In response to criticism on its forum, Stardock added a statement informing customers of the additional software bundling and requirements on the Fences website.

History

Impulse was launched on June 17, 2008^[3] as a successor to Stardock Central that was launched in 2001. While Steam is the largest and most well-known digital distribution platform since its launch in 2002, it was only in 2004 that ecommerce was added.

See also

• Digital distribution
• On-demand
• Steam

References

External links

• Impulse Homepage
  • Impulse Whitepaper
  • Stardock Launches Impulse
• Stardock Homepage