Well, I'm sure you got a good deal of money for it.  So you can use that money to finance a new game studio for Lord Xia game ideas!  I have a ton! 

Not to mention that Stardock built Impulse and still has a vested interest in it continuing to succeed.  It would look horrible for Stardock if Gamestop destroyed something they built, as their name will still be attached to it indirectly.  If they started selling via Steam, it'd be like saying "Have this awesome software we built.  Now piss off."

If they started selling via Steam, it'd be like saying "Have this awesome software we built.  Now piss off."

On the contrary, I don't think anyone would look down on them for broadening their user base now that they're officially independent of digital distro. They don't own it anymore, so it's not their responsibility anymore.

I'd imagine Stardock chooses to remain with Impulse now for the same reason they did previously: Because Impulse suits Stardock's needs in ways that Steam doesn't. If there were terms of sale involved in the Impulse deal that would have a lasting effect on how Stardock games work on Impulse, I imagine they'd be in Stardock's favor.

 

I think they're going to have to seriously consider weighing those needs against people's distaste for gamestop. The hardcore niche PC gamer crowd that made Impulse what it is tends to be the same crowd that's been burned by Gamestop and wants nothing to do with them.

... And you chose a company that spits on PC gaming and whose whole business model depends on reselling used games that screws over publishers? The irony is overwhelming.

So my question is, stardock and gamestop becoming partners, or did you sell outright to them? Do they own all of the rights to impulse?

I ask because i think that a partnership would have been a lot more logical, it would guarantee that impulse would still continue to see the same love and care that stardock put into. And if they did not do this you could take it back and sell it to someone who would...

Doing it for the good of PC gaming and intending to sell from the start are not mutually exclusive. And 1 - 2 = -1.

Then why not just create it as software solution for companies to set up there own digital distrobution? Less money, you could have created cool tech without having to choose between doing something the customers will not like and changing the company type. And sense you choose to lose the more profitable part of the business, it would seem that money is not that much of an issue as long as the product pays for itself.

This was a transaction that the parties believed to be in their mutual interest.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Fundamental capitalism.  If the result is beneficial for gamers, there is icing on that cake, but nothing happens, ever, because of potential benefit to a third party.

Well... capitalism, yes.  Purchasing impulse is only beneficial if it rakes in additional revenue for gamestop (or enables them to compete with other retailers, even at a loss).  Will more games become available online as a result of the acquisition (and to be clear, I'm saying will a game that is NOT available online today anyway be available as a result of this deal)?  Probably not.  Will more games be available through impulse?  Probably so.  So, no real gain for anyone that purchases digitally outside of perhaps being able to have more of your mainsteam games being available via impulse (if that matters to you).  The gain is for Stardock and for gamestop.  For customers, not as much unless you decided a long time ago that you would only buy games digitally through impulse.  You'll probably be able to get more games through it as a result.  If you don't care about who provides your games digitally, then there is no impact to you and no benefit.

Well, I think we can all agree that at least it wasn't EA or Valve that bought Impulse, which would surely be a death sentence for it. However, we don't know for certain if GameStop will be the death of Impulse, we can only wait and see, I really hope that isn't the case.

Well, I was suggesting that Microsoft use Impulse for GFWL, so this isn't that far off.

My concerns

a) If Gamestop screws over folks, what recourse will Stardock have?  You mentioned that your application side was staying separate, would/could you move your games , or at least your future products back there, should it become necessary?

  Is there anything in the contract  that would at least discourage Gamestop from changing the way Impulse operates in regards to DRM?  That's my main concern.

c) Is Stardock legally obligated to keep using Impulse no matter what?

I do think Brad is vastly underestimating the low reputation Gamestop has among many gamers.  I'm wary myself.  I just want to know I won't get screwed in the future.

I can see Impulse either becoming a legit competitor to Steam from this, or dying off completely, depending on what Gamestop does.

I also think you're going to need to get that disc printing for Elemental patches in the future up and running, because I am sure a good number of the most strident anti-DRMers will uninstall Impulse.   I won't unless Gamestop gets stupid, but I am wary myself.

I do expect you'll see more Impulse-exclusiives now down the road, which could help competition.

Hrm.. Frogboy, I've understood most of what you have done over these years that I've been following Stardock.. So I'll go ahead and say it.. April Fools? Brad, you trolling us?