Games displayed on the Impulse client's storefront | |
| Developer(s) | GameStop |
|---|---|
| Initial release | June 17, 2008; 11 years ago[1] |
| Stable release | 4.04.825 (August 2, 2012)[±] |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Content delivery |
| License | Proprietary (Freeware) |
| Website | www.impulsedriven.com |
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Impulse was a digital distribution and multiplayer platform. Originally developed by Stardock to succeed Stardock Central, it was purchased by GameStop in March 2011,[2][3] and was subsequently rebranded as GameStop PC Downloads, with the client being renamed GameStop App.[4] The client was discontinued in April 2014.
Impulse facilitated the purchase, download and updating of software.[1] The platform also provided blogging, friends-list, chat, game matchmaking, achievements and ranking to certain games.
- 1Features
- 2Criticism
Features[edit]
Impulse helped users purchase and download software. Purchases were tied to an account on GameStop's servers, and could be downloaded from anywhere that allowed the use of the Impulse client.
Storefront[edit]
Impulse provided a storefront that supports localized currencies, territory restrictions and a process for refunds. Publishers and developers that once used the Impulse storefront include Activision,[5]Atari,[6]Ubisoft,[5]Epic Games, THQ, AVG, Iolo Technologies, Gas Powered Games, Hothead Games, Ironclad Games, Popcap Games, and Meridian4.
Software management[edit]
Impulse allowed users to install, update (when desired) and uninstall the software tied to a user's account. Users who purchased Impulse-supported games at retail stores could download the client and install previously purchased software on their computers without the original disc after registration of the game.
Impulse was able to create archives of purchased software to be stored on a backup medium, allowing users to revert to an older version if the latest version is not up to expectations.
Impulse::Reactor[edit]
Game developers could make API calls and query information from the Impulse community infrastructure using Impulse::Reactor, a software library which provides DRM/copy protection, achievements, accounts, friends lists, chat, multiplayer lobbies, and cloud storage.[2]
Criticism[edit]
Exclusive patches[edit]
Impulse, used for delivering patches, was criticised for causing the decline in availability of standalone patches.[citation needed] While it provided 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 was 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 was not feasible for people with limited access on public or corporate computers.[citation needed] The availability of these patches in the event that the company goes out of business is uncertain.
Resale limitations[edit]
Impulse did not support the resale of games.[7] The product was transferable only when a user bought a second copy for another person, via the support system.
Re-sales were possible with Game Object Obfuscation, or GOO for short. GOO is GameStop's client-free DRM solution which allows neutrality between competing digital stores.[8]
Fences 0.99 controversy[edit]
Stardock attracted criticism[citation needed] in September 2009 when its desktop organizer Fences 0.99 was bundled with Impulse (requiring Internet Explorer 7 and Microsoft .NET) without notification on the product description or download page. Fences had previously been available as a stand-alone product. Stardock later informed customers of the additional software requirements on the Fences website.
History[edit]
Impulse was launched on June 17, 2008[1] as a successor to Stardock Central (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.
In March 2011, GameStop announced their intent to purchase Impulse, as well as Spawn Labs.[3] GameStop president Tony Bartel said these acquisitions would 'provide a customer-friendly and publisher-friendly way' to deliver 'gaming in many locations and on many devices.'[2] The purchase was completed on May 2, 2011.
As of April 24, 2014, GameStop officially discontinued the Impulse Client and web store. The Impulse Client was replaced by the GameStop PC Downloads App, which allows users to download content purchased prior to the discontinuation of Impulse. New digital PC game purchases are made through the GameStop.com store.
Support for legacy Impulse/GameStop App game downloads was handled for some time through Game Stop Guest Care [9]. However, as of Feb 2019, no support content related to Impulse, the GameStop App, the PC platform is available through this portal. The term 'GameStop App' now refers to an unrelated phone app[10].
GameStop currently does not provide any way to download games purchased through Impulse or the GameStop (PC) App.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abc'Stardock Launches Impulse'. 2008-06-17. Archived from the original on 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ abc'GameStop Announces Acquisition of Spawn Labs and Agreement to Acquire Impulse, Inc'. GameStop. 2011-03-31. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
- ^ abChristopher Grant (2011-03-31). 'GameStop indulges in some Impulse buying .. no seriously, it bought Impulse (and Spawn Labs)'. Joystiq. AOL. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
- ^'GameStop PC Downloads About'. GameStop. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
- ^ abFrank Cifaldi (2009-06-15). 'Stardock adds Ubisoft, Activision games to Impulse'. Gamesinfo.biz. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
- ^'Atari comes to Impulse'. Stardock. 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
- ^Stardock Knowledgebase, 'Can I give my copy of software to my friend?'Archived 2008-05-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^Joe Martin (2009-03-26). 'Stardock announces flexible DRM system, Goo'. bit-gamer.net. Retrieved 2011-05-02.
- ^http://www.gamestop.com/gs/help/
- ^https://www.gamestop.com/gamestop-app>
External links[edit]
- Impulse Driven homepage
- Impulse white paper[permanent dead link]
- Impulse Anywhere- helps to transfer software to disconnected computers
- Impulse on Twitter
**UPDATE AT BOTTOM**
Hello all. A long long time ago, I used the Impulse app and bought a good number of games through Stardock during that time. Sometime in 2012, Gamestop took over Impulse and it became the GameStop PC App. All the games I had purchased were still available and downloadable through the new app.
Apparently, according to wikipedia, sometime in 2014 Gamestop discontinued the app (I swear I used it more recently than that, but it has been a couple of years for me, regardless). The app (which I still have on my computer) can no longer connect to, well, wherever it needs to connect to. Has anyone else had this issue? If so, was it resolved, and how?
Impulse Games Download Free
I had about 40 or so non-Stardock games on that account that I no longer have access to, and I'd like to be able to get them again (I can still access Stardock games through their website).
I've called Gamestop and have been on hold for 58 minutes now, and I have a feeling it's not going to be resolved in one call, and I don't want to wait another hour. The app gave me information to cut and paste in an email when I couldn't connect, but I have a feeling that might not get anywhere either.
I'm not upset that they discontinued the app - but it would have been nice to receive an email or something, so that I could have downloaded my games before the app was shut down.
I didn't want to update until I had definitive results, but I finally received a check as a refund for the games I owned on the Impulse/GameStop App so I will detail the process here.
First, if you have any questions regarding Impulse, there is an email address specifically for support with Impulse. This will probably be the most useful information, as figuring out who I should contact was the first major hurdle. That email address is CS_impulsesupport@gamestop.com
Once I was able to contact Impulse support, and told them of my issue, the response I received said that
The proof of purchase will need to include the following information:
- Order Confirmation https://ninle.netlify.app/transdermal-fentanyl-conversion.html.
- Bank Statement (showing a charge for the order)
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- Screenshot of the games in the GameStop App client (or other official forms of proof of purchase)
At first I was sure I would not be able to receive the games or a refund, because I never took a screenshot of my games in the app, and the purpose of my contacting them was that the app is no longer available. However, after further emails, it seemed that I only needed to fulfill one of the above, and luckily I had all of my email confirmations (and my wife doesn't understand why I don't delete any of my emails!)
I then took a screenshot of each of my confimation emails, made a spreadsheet to find the total I had spent on all of my games, and threw them all into a .zip file and sent them on their way. What came next truly surprised me - not only did they refund me for the full value of all of my games, but they sent a check rather than a gift card, which is what I had expected. This was for no small amount either, as I had some 40-ish confirmation emails that I went through.
I will say that I did go through and remove from the total the price of games that I still have access to (Assassin's Creed games through Uplay, Stardock games and software through their own website, etc.). It also might be worth noting that all of my games on the app were purchased prior to Game Stop taking over the app; I'm not sure if that was taken into account.
I'm not sure how many of you still have those old confirmation emails, or other forms of proof of purchase to show them, but for those of you who do, it is worth contacting them.