Impulse: Phase 3

Advertisement (Why?)

Impulse Phase 3 includes five major new features that developer Stardock believes will be compelling to both PC users and software publishers.

These new features are:

The Impulse client has had its user interface significantly improved and updated with features such as player rankings, achievements, intelligent match-making, and more. It also includes a new tray application that lets users track friends, receive update notifications, and much more.
The beta of Impulse Anywhere, a new web-based method for users whose home Internet connections are non-ideal to download their software on another machine, take the files home and install them.
The release of Impulse Reactor, a development platform that lets users add many new features to their games without having to re-distribute a third-party client (i.e. users don’t have to distribute the Impulse client). Impulse Reactor includes features such as intelligent match-making, multiplayer tournament support, NAT negotiation, friend lists, rankings, community features and much more. Gas Powered Games’ much anticipated PC game, Demigod, is being released next week and makes full use of Impulse Reactor.
Impulse Reactor Overlay, an in-game overlay that lets users instantly access chat, friends lists, profile data, micro-expansions, and more. Demigod will also be the first title to make full use of this.
Game Object Obfuscation (Goo) - An alternative method for developers to protect their intellectual property. Goo allows developers to associate licenses with people rather than their PCs which will eliminate the issue of “limited activations”. It also provides the underpinnings to support vendor neutral software downloads and transferring of licenses.

Get more information, and the free download of Impulse at www.impulsedriven.com.

(5 replies) #1 Avi on 07 Apr 2009 - 21:25

Is it like Steam?

#1.1 +TCLN Ryster on 07 Apr 2009 - 21:40

It's similar to Steam in that they both allow you to buy games and download them to your PC, however Impulse is so much more than Steam. Impulse just needs to secure distribution rights to all the new games as they are released, and it'll be a real contender. Hopefully all the new goodies in Phase 3 will help them to attract the big names.

#1.2 Intelman on 09 Apr 2009 - 00:38

How can it be so much more than Steam?

Both allow me to get games, and play them. That is all I want to do. Oh and a decent way to back them up, which is easy for both.

Impulse will not take off unless it has the content as you said. Until then, Steam all the way.

#1.3 Shane Pitman on 11 Apr 2009 - 19:04

Intelman said,

How can it be so much more than Steam?

One key difference, Impulse is not just games.

#1.4 non.sequitur2 on 12 Apr 2009 - 00:56

Shane Pitman said,

Yeah, because that's sooooo important.

#1.5 non.sequitur2 on 23 Apr 2009 - 03:20

Avi said,

No...it's BETTA!

(1 reply) #2 Frank Fontaine on 07 Apr 2009 - 21:40

Not exactly, Software is also sold over Impulse, whereas Steam is strictly gamer orientated... Follows along the same idea though

#2.1 CentralDogma on 09 Apr 2009 - 06:15

Frank Fontaine said,

Most software companies already offer a download model without the need for a digital distribution system.

EDIT: Also, Stardock's logo looks like the Sci-fi channel's old logo

Last edited by CentralDogma on 09 Apr 2009 - 06:21

(3 replies) #3 +BeLGaRaTh on 07 Apr 2009 - 22:06

Load of crap, Impulse auto updated itself, requested a reboot and no it will not load. I just get an error about a encountering a problem and needing to close.

So yet another in a long line of crap that doesn't work, or is this another case of it will only work if you are in the us, like most other things from starcrap lately.

I used to be a huge fan of stardock but over the last few months they have become really bad and the support is non existant, with a few of my support requests even being deleted when they could not help ...

Last edited by BeLGaRaTh on 07 Apr 2009 - 22:21

#3.1 Island Dog on 08 Apr 2009 - 00:45

http://zargon.impulsedriven.net/article/34..._Support_Thread

#1 As before if you are using an older version of Impulse and cannot update for whatever reason, you can download the full Impulse install now by going here:

http://www.impulsedriven.com/impulse_setup_full.exe

#3.2 Island Dog on 08 Apr 2009 - 00:49

If you still have an issue, you can report in that thread and it will be addressed.

#3.3 Shokus on 08 Apr 2009 - 04:23

A calm reply! Impressive! (Y)

#4 sorlag on 07 Apr 2009 - 22:33

Installed fine and the black skin looks nice

The only thing i needed to do was deleting it from autorun as i don't have any apps in there (don't like this).
After deleting it i found an option for this inside of impulsenow ^^

Well done

(8 replies) #5 +Sethos on 08 Apr 2009 - 21:55

Sounds exactly like steam just much less established, what's the point?

#5.1 Intelman on 09 Apr 2009 - 00:35

Not sure. Steam has more titles that I am interested in. I bought one game from impulse, wasn't a bad experience, but it is much less streamlined.

#5.2 Island Dog on 09 Apr 2009 - 14:34

Sethos said,

What's the point of only having one option?

#5.3 Intelman on 09 Apr 2009 - 17:56

Island Dog said,

I personally do not want to split games up across two different options. Steam is established, so I will continue to invest in my account I have there.

Impulse has to somehow combat that. I am not sure if they can. If I could transfer all my games to Impulse, it would most certainly be a more attractive option.

#5.4 non.sequitur2 on 12 Apr 2009 - 00:57

Convenience, for one. How many services do you want to run to play your games? 1? 4? 10??

#5.5 Mr. Andrews on 13 Apr 2009 - 04:22

I think competition is good for the market. While I generally trust Steam, if they keep a monopoly hold on the market they could easily raise prices. This way there is competition, and reason to add features, and reason to improve, and reason for game sales (as in 10% off, etc).

If only Impulse would take off...

#5.6 Anaron on 13 Apr 2009 - 12:07

Impulse is a digital distribution platform, much like Steam, but it also offers software downloads. It's certainly an edge over Steam. For now, we can only hope that the edge will be sharp enough. As Mr. Andrews stated, competition is good for the market.

#5.7 +dead.cell on 14 Apr 2009 - 19:06

Except while the software vendors themselves may offer sales, you won't see them passed on through Impulse. Noticed this when Corel had their stuff marked down.

I think Frogboy mentioned they had Unreal Tournament on sale for like.. $5. Now, it's $30 (has been for a while too) while Steam has it for $20 with what's known as the "Black Edition" (more content I believe)

Otherwise, you can purchase the regular version at GameStop for $12.99. Man, that is quite a deal compared to Impulse.

Seems this "Steam monopoly" is the last thing anyone is worried about, much less the fact that the idea itself is laughable. If Steam doesn't compete with stores like GameStop, how will they make money? Also, wasn't there an article where someone from Stardock said that Steam isn't anything serious until they hit 20 million users or something? Maybe I misread it...

#5.8 non.sequitur2 on 23 Apr 2009 - 03:21

Anaron said,

Impulse is a digital distribution platform, much like Steam, but it also offers software downloads.

Well thank you Capt. Obvious.

(1 reply) #6 Inclined on 09 Apr 2009 - 18:18

Does it really matter what to use ? Steam is the mainstream type because it has lots of titles, Impulse has a bunch of programs and a bit of games (much less than on Steam).

I'd rather use Steam because Impulse doesn't offer the games that I want.

Having options is a lame excuse, Steam is selling games-only and it's pretty damn successful at it, it doesn't need to sell songs or programs to be a worthwhile program to use.

#6.1 +dead.cell on 14 Apr 2009 - 19:15

Bunch of programs? From what I can tell, most of the Desktop software is 16 pages of MyColor crap. The rest Stardock, Corel, and a few other brands. As I previously stated though, you'd probably have a better chance finding deals from various other stores, or even from the company directly.

I mean, lack of quantity (and quality) combined with the prices doesn't seem to be helping them at all.

(1 reply) #7 rob.derosa on 12 Apr 2009 - 18:42

I surely hope neowin won't be pushing Impulse

#7.1 Anaron on 13 Apr 2009 - 12:08

I take it you didn't read this thread.

#8 venerator on 17 Apr 2009 - 01:38

Impulse has potential, but as of right now, I have no desire to install it.

#9 non.sequitur2 on 23 Apr 2009 - 03:24

Stardock turns water into whine. Especially on these boards. Lots a' Stardock hate rollin' around here, I can feel it.

#10 JonathanMarston on 08 May 2009 - 03:26

Cool, so Impulse is almost caught up with Steam (in features, not selection). Now if they can figure out a way to make it better I might give it a try...

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Neowin.net

Impulse: Phase 3

About the Author

Neowin.net

Impulse: Phase 3

Share this Article

About the Author

Related news