the next generation digital platform

THE N E X T GENERATION DIGITAL PLATFORM
T able
of
C ontents
WHAT IS IMPULSE?
FEATURES
IMPULSE::REACTOR
BENEFITS
IMPULSE DATA
STARDOCK
IN THE NEWS
W hat
Applications that
receive this certification
Impulse is a digital distribution platform that allows customers to purchase, download,
and update any type of PC software. In doing so, the software license becomes tied to
a particular user account instead of a PC. As a result, users can have confidence that
their purchases can be easily transferred to new PCs while publishers gain the security
of enhanced intellectual property protection that focuses on a customer rather than a
specific piece of hardware.
that they install readily
Launched in 2008, Impulse has quickly gained popularity with over two million users.
As a platform for the Windows PC, Impulse has been designed to directly address
many of the issues currently faced by both developers and consumers within the digital
distribution market. Impulse combines a robust, user-friendly front-end application with
powerful tools designed to give developers a leading edge.
every time and that
Impulse is made up of Two Components:
have passed Microsoft
designed tests to ensure
they will provide a great
end-user experience.
Consumers are assured
the most reliable
experience possible. As a
long-standing Microsoft
partner, we are happy to
have Stardock’s various
offerings certified for
Windows 7.
”
– Microsoft on Impulse being
Certified for Windows 7
Warren Wilbee, Director of
ISV Evangelism at Microsoft
THE IMPULSE CLIENT
The client is used by consumers to purchase, download, update and interact with
their PC software.
IMPULSE::REACTOR
Impulse::Reactor is a library that developers can use to add user accounts, achievements
and copy protection to their titles. The Impulse::Reactor library is self-contained. It does
not require the installation of Impulse or any other client, is very easy to use, and only
takes minutes to implement.
IMPULSE IS:
• A cost effective way for developers to provide updates to their software.
H ow D oes I mpulse W ork ?
The Impulse client is an application that functions as a manager for consumers as well as
developers and publishers. Impulse associates purchases to a user’s account allowing for
seamless re-downloading and updating.
WHAT IS IMPULSE?
“
is I mpulse ?
The Impulse::Reactor DLL library is a virtualized digital platform that gives developers
access to a host of features for their software such as Robust Copy Protection, a
Common Community Platform (CCP), Common Virtual Platform (CVP) and more.
Users can shop the Impulse store via the client or from the ImpulseDriven.com website.
Impulse also supports an affiliate program allowing for third-party websites to sell items
on Impulse from their websites.
The Impulse client also allows users to instantly discuss the latest news on their games,
directly visit a publisher’s website, participate in live chats, and for those games utilizing
Reactor, Impulse allows users to check rankings and achievements and find available
multi-player games.
Behind the Impulse client and the Impulse::Reactor .DLL library is a series of datacenters
distributed around the world. This “cloud” is the heart of Impulse (the DLL being
an interface to it). These data centers ensure that users have access to high-speed
downloads regardless to where they’re located.
To start using Impulse, users create a free account. This account automatically gives them
a blog, a unified game ID, a chat ID, and more. When software is purchased, the product
is attached to their account. If for any reason a user needs to reinstall Impulse on a new
machine, they simply enter in their UserID and password and can re-download all of
their programs.
“
Impulse is, by far, the
most advanced digital
distribution platform
we’ve seen, and we’re
extremely excited
• An effective way for publishers to protect their intellectual property while
providing their customers with an excellent user experience.
to take advantage
• A great way for publishers to add community features, DLC content and other
features without the publisher having to bundle a client application.
Impulse::Reactor.
• A way to manage, update, and launch applications, games, utilities, and other
content and services.
of the features of
It’s easy to use, has
awesome capabilities
for developers, and it
doesn’t tie consumers
to a single digital
distribution platform.
”
– Chris Taylor, CEO of Gas
Powered Games
F eatures
Impulse at a Glance
Impulse is the solution
to a basic problem on
THE IMPULSE STORE
The store is designed to make it easy for users to find products, get demos, check
out forums, give feedback, and purchase software.
VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES
Users can participate in virtual communities that include blogging, avatars,
game updates and more.
FEATURES
the PC: The fragmentation
of I mpulse
of the market has made
developing, buying, and
supporting software
increasingly difficult;
Impulse addresses these
issues and more.
Impulse Client
A Windows program that
“
gives users access to their
programs and the store.
Digital distribution
empowers independent
developers like
Impulse::Reactor
Hothead and is
Impulse delivers a virtual
exactly what the game
PC platform called
industry needs today.
Impulse::Reactor. This
platform provides APIs
ACHIEVEMENTS
Game developers whose games are using Reactor, can specify per-game achievements
and let the system know if a given player has met the achievement’s criteria.
that allow developers to
easily make use of Impulse’s
considerable back end
Impulse will offer more
choices to gamers and
developers alike–we
capabilities such as virtual
are truly excited
storage (in development),
about the games we
multi player match making,
will bring to Impulse,
multi-game multi player
starting with our first
game finder, friends lists,
game series, On the
virtual saved games, player
achievements and more.
Impulse Now
Integrates friends, user
notification and features
into a small system tray
program for quick access
to your applications and
status on updates.
DOWNLOADING & UPDATING SOFTWARE
Impulse can tell what version of a given piece of software a consumer owns and will
offer an update if one is available. Impulse can repair software installations if files are
accidentally deleted or replaced and also serves as an intelligent download manager with
advanced auto resume and network fault tolerance features.
Rain-Slick Precipice of
Darkness.
”
– Vlad Ceraldi, President of
Hothead Games
C oming S oon
Developer Portal
This is a tool that allows
publishers to quickly and
only software.
Publishers can release
updates, change prices,
manage serial numbers,
manage activation status,
create email lists, and
much more.
TOURNAMENTS
Impulse will soon support publisher – and eventually player-organized tournaments.
PLAYER RANKINGS.
Impulse supports per-game as well as overall player rankings based on in-game
performance. This feature is only available to Impulse::Reactor powered games.
MICRO-EXPANSION SUPPORT
Developers who would like to continue to provide new content, can make use of the
Micro-Expansion support in Impulse.
GAME SCHEDULING
For multi-player games, Impulse will soon support both community and friend-based
game scheduling so that it’s easier to get game nights going.
AFFILIATE STORE
Impulse offers affiliates the ability to customize the Impulse store for their customers
to include only the affiliate titles, RSS feeds and more.
IMPULSE NOW
Users can archive their purchases to CD/DVD.
“
I just spent a little bit
of time poking around
FEATURES
easily manage their online
IMPULSE TV
Stardock has pulled back the curtain on ImpulseTV, the latest major feature to come to
the popular digital distribution platform, Impulse. Hosted by Jason Ocampo, formerly
of IGN and Gamespot, and Brian Clair, formerly of Avault.com, ImpulseTV is designed
to let people see games and software as they really are in order to get a better idea of
whether they want to buy it or even try out the software. ImpulseTV features hands-on
walkthroughs, game tutorials and tips, spotlights and demos on AAA and indie games
alike, unbiased and outspoken expert commentary and more.
FRIENDS LISTS
Users can create social networks by inviting someone to be their friend. They will be
able to share what games they’re playing, what blogs they’re participating in, set up times
to get together, and when doing random matchmaking, join games in which friends or
friends of friends are involved.
“
There’s a lot of real
gems out there that
people would normally
never hear about,With
ImpulseTV, we hope
to shed some light on
great games – both
famous and unknown.
– Ocampo
in the new Impulse
”
TV section, and I have
to say, I’m impressed!
The interface is great,
it’s fast, and the videos
are fun to watch. I’m
PC gaming was a $10.7
looking forward to
billion industry in 2007,
checking out more of
them.Whoever came
distribution nearing $2
billion and in-game and
web advertising bringing
up with this idea
deserves a medal.
with sales from digital
”
– lazear, Impulse Blog
in $800 million. Online
PC gaming brought in
$4.8 billion, almost double
that of retail PC sales.
– PC Gaming Alliance,
Horizons Report
I mpulse ::R eactor
Cloud Multi-player
available games, leader
boards, etc. are all kept
track of automatically.
The data sent to and from
Impulse::Reactor is standard
.XML and can be displayed
in a variety of forms by the
publisher (in game, on a
website, in email blasts, etc.).
Impulse::Reactor is a library that developers can use to add user accounts, achievements
and copy protection to their titles.
The Impulse::Reactor library is self-contained. It does not require the installation of
Impulse or any other client and is very easy to use taking only minutes to implement.
Publishers gain access to the features of Impulse::Reactor through a .DLL they include
with their software (ImpulseReactor.DLL).
Impulse::Reactor is:
• FREE for developers whose titles are on Impulse.
• Easy to implement.
• Effective, non-intrusive IP protection.
Game Object Obfuscation
IMPULSE::REACTOR
Player stats, achievements,
• Easy to implement IP protection.
• Includes 3 options:
• GOO Wrapper. A utility that is run on the game EXE that creates a DRM
wrapper on the game. When the game is run, the user enters in their
serial # which is activated on the server. Requires no code changes.
• GOO Activation. Developer can use Impulse::Reactor APIs to increase the
robustness of their IP protection within their source code.
• GOO Streaming. Developer can store certain core data on the Impulse
Cloud that the game requires to run each time. Data is treated as a virtual drive.
“
Microsoft is pleased
that Stardock has
earned the Certified
• Core features accessible via skinnable overlay.
for Windows Vista
• Vendor Neutral.
software logo for their
Common Community Platform
Game Object
Obfuscation (GOO)
commitment to
• Live Chat.
providing its customers
• Events. Users can set up times to get together and play in game.
with higher quality
• Open Accounts. Users have an account that they can optionally link with other
online services.
digital rights management
with copy protection in
highlights Stardock’s
• Vendor Neutral Community Features.
• Facebook Logons. Users can logon with their Facebook ID and Password.Your
game is thus not tied to a particular digital distributor.
Impulse::Reactor combines
Impulse application.This
the form of the digital
applications that
deliver a more secure,
reliable and compatible
experience with
Windows Vista.
protection framework.
Common Virtual Platform
• User Account APIs. Developers can attach data to their customers account to
improve the game experience.
Impulse::Reactor’s Core Features Include:
• Game Object Obfuscation (GOO)
• Common Community Platform (CCP)
• Common Virtual Platform (CVP)
• Achievements
• Matchmaking
• Game Lists
• Lobbies
• Virtual Storage. Developers can treat the Impulse Cloud as a generic storage device.
• Overlays. Developers can access the features of CVP through the included skinnable,
in-game overlay.
”
– Jeff Price, Senior Director in
Windows Client Product
Management at Microsoft Corp.
I mpulse ::R eactor
Architecture
D eveloper P ortal
designed to provide the
highest levels of robustness
and performance regardless
The Developers Portal Allows Developers to:
of where the consumer is
using it.
1. Distribute their software to millions of users with very little effort.
2. Receive 70% of the gross revenue on each sale (85% in the event that the sale is made
from the developer’s website – better than most ecommerce solutions).
Impulse::Reactor
in Game
3. Make use of Impulse::Reactor, an advanced and free development platform that offers a
wide range of features from intellectual property protection to multi-player matchmaking.
Implementation
The Impulse Developer Portal Includes:
Impulse Reactor does
not require the publisher
News. View news and announcements regarding the
developer tools.
include a third-party client.
Because Impulse Reactor
Reports. Real time reporting of sales and statistical data.
is server-based, its security
is much more difficult to
breach than client-based
solutions.
Advantages of Impulse::Reactor:
Serial Number Creation. Upload/Generate serial
numbers (use your own serial numbers or have Impulse generate them for you).
1. Does not require the user to create an account on a third-party service.
Serial Number Management. Activate and deactivate serials.
2. Entire experience is within the game or application.
3. In-game overlay lets people instantly chat to other players on the
program’s chat channel which can decrease support costs.
4. In-game overlay lets people access expansion and other downloadable
content that is relevant to those users as opposed to users having to leave
the game, open up a third-party client and shop through competing software.
5. Because it’s integrated into the game itself, publishers can generate
revenue from purchases made from the game without having to use a
third-party store client.
Customer Support. View customer activations, enable/disable activations, reset
activation counts, and provide new serial numbers.
Account Management. Grant access to other Impulse accounts to support users,
view reports and more.
Issue Escalation. Ask for the Impulse teams help in solving customer problems.
Impulse Provides these Key Advantages for Developers:
Real-Time sales data. You can track your sales in real-time and track
them by region.
Per region sales. You can set availability and price on a per region basis.
Requirements & Availability:
VS.
CLIENT
BASE
GAME
SERVER
BASE
GAME
CLIENT
SERVER
SERVER
Multi-language support. If your program supports multiple languages,
Impulse allows users to set their primary language upon installation.
• Version 2.0 beta available now. Final
release in June, 2010.
Legacy support. Want any of your users to be able to use Impulse to
update their software no matter where they purchased? Developers can
supply valid serial numbers and we’ll support all your customers as if
they were our own.
• Does not require the distribution of the
Impulse Client.
Free bandwidth. Your royalty is based on the price of the game. No
hidden fees.
• FREE to developers whose title is available on Impulse.
Impulse::Reactor. Impulse::Reactor is a server based digital platform. That means you
can make use of its features without re-distributing a third-party client.
Marketing and Promotions. Impulse offers ways to promote your products using
ImpulseNow and ImpulseTV as well as offering support for free order, open and
closed beta programs.
IMPULSE::REACTOR
The Impulse Developer Portal allows for advanced reporting tools which gives publishers
and developers real-time sales data so they can see exactly what’s happening with their
product on the service. Some self-service tools are also available (i.e. adding serials, some
support lookup tools), cutting out intermediaries to accomplish simple but important tasks.
Impulse Reactor has been
B enefits
for
P ublishers
Stardock isn’t just a developer and publisher of PC games, it’s also an enterprise software
developer whose customers include Dell, Microsoft, ATI, IBM, Alienware, NVIDIA, and
many others who are may not be aware that Stardock even makes PC games.
working with Stardock
Compelling Impulse Features for Publishers:
on the launch of
Impulse.We believe
that through Impulse,
the iolo brand, and
System Mechanic
in particular, will be
introduced into a
promising new market.
Through Impulse,
consumers will be able
to benefit from having
access to a variety of
software applications,
games and drivers
through a single
platform.
”
– Tim Weinzirl, Business
Development Manager,
Iolo Technology
•
SECURE SOFTWARE DELIVERY
Nobody has been selling and digitally distributing PC software to consumers longer
than Stardock. Before terms like DRM or ASP were coined, Stardock was developing,
publishing, and distributing content that it was protecting from piracy. This experience
led to the creation of Secure Software Delivery (SSD), which requires the end-user to
use Impulse to download and install their purchased software. SSD optionally provides
publishers the ability to use software activation if they so choose. Some Stardock
programs use activation (WindowBlinds) and others do not (The Political Machine
2004), but all use SSD. Customers typically find SSD invisible. This is especially true
since Impulse doesn’t require a user to be online to use downloaded content.
•
LOCALIZED CURRENCY SUPPORT
Software has very different pricing depending on the territory it is being marketed
to. The price of a product in Australia may differ significantly from the price in Poland.
Most customers do not expect to have to shop in foreign currencies. A user overseas
shouldn’t have to figure out what $39.95 equates to in pounds or euros. Impulse can
detect where a user is purchasing from and provide pricing in their local currency.
Publishers may also set their pricing on a territory-by-territory basis in local currency.
•
TERRITORIAL AVAILABILITY
One of the reasons digital distribution hasn’t caught on faster is because many digital
distribution networks do not support (or effectively support) per-territory availability.
As a result, many programs and games have simply not been available digitally in
certain regions of the world. With Impulse, many programs previously unavailable in
digital format can be released.
•
EULA SUPPORT
Many end-users and publishers lament that their mutual rights are not explained prior
to using a program. Impulse supports having the EULA displayed before installation
and, more importantly, allowing customers who disagree with the EULA to get a full
refund with no questions asked.
•
RETAIL SUPPORT
Publishers can opt to allow users who bought their software at retail to update and
manage it via Impulse for free. For instance, a user who buys a game at Wal-Mart or
Best Buy can still update or re-download their entire game on Impulse without
Impulse having to be included with the game. All Stardock games support this today.
•
NEUTRAL PLATFORM SUPPORT
This is key: Impulse includes many APIs that allow developers to enhance their game
experience, gather statistics, etc., but it doesn’t require the user to install Impulse.
For example, a developer who wants to make use of CVP (Common Virtual Platform)
for match-making within their game can use the Impulse back-end even if their game is
available on Steam, Direct2Drive or even at retail. These services are neutral and can
be used by any developer.
One of the common questions we’ve seen in discussion about Impulse is “why?”
After all, there are other digital distribution platforms already available.
The answer is simple: Digital distribution is still very early in its evolution and
competition helps drive innovation and ensures publishers have multiple options
to choose from.
BENEFITS
“
We are excited to be
Stardock has been able to leverage its experience in developing enterprise software in
creating Impulse. The benefits of using Impulse, include industrial strength protection
for intellectual property, localized currency support, EULA support and much more.
Stardock also has nearly two decades of experience in dealing with the issues of perterritory licensing, the importance of vendor neutrality, and more.
W hy I mpulse ?
Impulse has a Number of Things Going for It:
1. It is developed by a company with years of experience in producing and supporting
digital distribution networks.
2. It is developed by a company with a great deal of experience in producing enterprise
class software where robustness and reliability are absolutely required.
3. It is produced by a company that is independent and not affiliated with any
particular publisher.
4. It has the development expertise of a company that has been in business for over 15
years to continue enhancing and improving Impulse to ensure that it is constantly
improving and evolving.
More digital distribution
choices for gamers and
developers ensure an
environment that will
foster more innovation,
creativity and risk with
game design and story
- a combination the
games industry sorely
needs.
– Vlad Ceraldi, President of
Hothead Games
By 2012 it is forecasted
that consumer spending
on digital distribution
and virtual items will
account for over 40%
of revenue.
DFC Intelligence’s
Research Services
I mpulse P artner P rogram
With more publishers coming onboard, the Impulse user base has more than tripled
since last year. With more content coming in the future, this growth is only expected to
increase at the same rate.
Stardock’s Impulse Partner Program is a great way for bloggers, internet-based
companies, and PC OEM’s to generate additional revenue. Our program is very
easy to set up and our extensive catalog of content offers consumers a wide range
of software titles to choose from.
As an Affiliate, you earn commission on every sale that is brought about from your site
or subscribers. Just about anybody can participate! Whether you run a large commercial
web site, a small personal blog, a non-profit site, or anything in between you’re welcome
to join the program. We also welcome owners of opt-in e-mail newsletters.
Impulse Accounts
1,600,000
“
1,400,000
We are excited about
1,200,000
the potential of Impulse
By offering your visitors a link to download Impulse, every purchase made by them
will generate you a net sale commission. All you have to do is place a small Impulse
Download link on your site and we’ll take care of the rest. Best of all its completely
free to join!
1,000,000
to help enhance the
800,000
user experience of our
Worldwide online game
600,000
customers.With the
400,000
Benefits of Stardock’s Impulse Partner Program Include:
revenue is expected to
continuing advances in PC
technology, we see Impulse
200,000
• Turn-key Registration
in 2006 to $13.1 billion in
as a terrific way to help
our user base.
2008
”
– Darren McPhee, Senior
Marketing Manager for
Gaming at AMD
I love it guys, keep up the
able to see the games
PC is the leading platform
I mpulse D ata I nfrastructure
Impulse data infrastructure is distributed throughout the world and has been designed
to provide the highest levels of robustness and performance regardless of where the
consumer is using it.
Impulse has the fastest download speeds of any similar service from anywhere in
the world. For example, in our testing with a major PC game publisher we recorded
download speeds of the zero-day updating to be 14 megabytes per second (not
megabits) in Australia as well as in Germany for the same file. That is because Impulse
makes use of datacenters all over the world that automatically route traffic to the
closest, most responsive datacenter.
• Timely Commission Reports
for online game revenue.
• Free Participation
- DFC Intelligence’s
Research Services
• Extensive Catalog Offering
For further information related to Stardock’s Affiliate Programs, please visit the
following website: www.impulsedriven.com/affiliates.aspx
“
Stardock Systems develops
solutions that customize
the interface of applications
running on the Microsoft
Windows XP operating
system. More than 15
million computer users rely
on Stardock software to
in action on the same
service I’m buying from.
2012, a 192% increase. The
2009
This infrastructure allows partners localized pricing and per region real-time royalty
reports for fast updates.
good work. I love being
increase from $4.5 billion
• Competitive Compensation
0
bring these advances to
“
IMPULSE DATA
I mpulse U ser B ase : G rowth
”
– VenomWW, Impulse Blog
personalize their desktop
experience, and many
corporate customers use
Stardock technology to
create custom software
interfaces to meet their
business needs.
”
- Microsoft Visual Studio
.NET Case Study
“
We recognize that
electronic distribution
important as a way
to reach and increase
Stardock is the global leader in the development of software designed to enhance the
PC experience for consumers and corporations alike. Stardock’s technology is being
used by millions of consumers who are seeking a fresh perspective as they interact with
Microsoft’s Windows platform. Stardock’s team is dedicated to the creation of first to
market applications that fulfill the ever changing needs of their valued customers and
provide the competitive edge their customers need.
Stardock’s Strategic Channel Partners are focused on collective achievement with
specific goals and objectives for bringing new solutions to market. Stardock believes in
partnering with industry leaders to provide customers with the very best in desktop
customization and computer personalization.
Established in 1992, Stardock is headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan and employs some
of the world’s most talented programmers and artists, dedicated to Stardock’s mission of
delivering an unprecedented user experience on the PC.
sales of Atari titles. In
the year and a half
since Stardock launched
Corporate customers of Stardock range from small businesses to Fortune 500
companies in the manufacturing, telecommunications, multimedia, and entertainment
industries.
their Impulse platform,
they have emerged as
Stardock specializes in performance applications, with approximately 30% of Stardock
associates writing innovative code, 40% are graphic and functional designers and the
balance provide management and marketing support.
a significant player in
this arena and we are
pleased to expand our
partnership.
S tardock P artners
”
– Todd Shallbetter, Director
of Royalties at Atari
Stardock not only maintains its position as a leader in the software space but has made
a name for itself in the PC gaming space as well. As a developer and publisher of games
for the PC, Stardock has successfully shown its ability to create chart topping hits with
games like ‘Sins of a Solar Empire’ which received the coveted “PC Game of the Year”
award in 2008 and the highly anticipated PC game, Demigod’ scheduled for release in the
first part of 2009.
Corporate Officers:
“
President/Chief Executive Officer
Brad Wardell
Stardock has a proven
track record as a
publisher of quality PC
games and an emerging
platform for digital
distribution with Impulse.
We look forward
to offering consumers
yet another opportunity
Vice President of Operations
Angela Marshall
Stardock’s Strategic Partners are companies that are providing added value to
the Stardock community by using Stardock’s suites to develop their business or
recommending Stardock’s software to their business community.
Hewlett-Packard
In partnership with Stardock, HP is currently promoting and distributing MyColors to
their extensive consumer base. MyColors is a one-of-a-kind technology that allows
consumers to customize the look and feel of Windows® to reflect their favorite brand
or passion. Our innovative approach to the UI experience is instrumental to HP’s
personalization initiatives.
Dell
Powered by Stardock’s popular ObjectDock technology, Dell now delivers a unique
desktop experience to millions of consumers. Dell Dock™ is a program that enables
users to organize their shortcuts, programs, and running tasks in an organized and
efficient manner. Coveted by millions of consumers, Stardock’s ingenuity has become an
integral part of the Dell experience.
Alienware
Over the years, Alienware has been able to cultivate a fanatical consumer base attracted
to high-end technology and an immersive brand experience. Stardock’s MyColors
technology is at the core of Alienware’s corporate identity, our solution enables their
organization to quickly transform the look and feel of Windows® to reflect their brand.
AMD
Stardock works closely with AMD to assure the highest degree of compatibility between
Stardock applications and the AMD family of graphics processing units. AMD has also
been Stardock’s technology marketing partner for the PC game ‘Demigod’ and a major
distribution partner for Stardock’s Impulse electronic software distribution platform.
Vice President of Technology
Kris Kwilas
Director of Software Development
Kirk Windisch
Director of Business Development
Phil Madis
Director of Publishing
Brian Clair
to play our award
winning franchises
and receive our games
digitally.
”
– Andy Swanson, Senior
Director of Strategic Sales
and partnerships at Ubisoft
“Microsoft® Gold Certified Partner Stardock
provided that capability for AMD in the market for
Windows® XP and it does so again for Windows
Vista™ and the newly mainstream market for 64-bit
desktop computing.”
Microsoft Case Study: AMD selects DirectSkin
from Stardock to add skinning technology to Vista
applications.
“Alienware thrives on pushing boundaries and
finding new ways to intrigue and connect with our
customers, and Stardock has helped us create a
desktop theme that will do just that.”
Kevin Wasielewski
Director of Business Development, Alienware
STARDOCK
of games is increasingly
A bout S tardock
I mpulse
in the
N ews
“
In the year since its initial release, Impulse has
Impulse is the digital distribution platform from Stardock. It is concerned
with offering convenience to the user, not treating them like a pirate.You
don’t need to have Impulse running to play your game.You can back up
your game to CD / DVD. If Stardock gets hit by an asteroid tomorrow,
your copy of the game will continue to work even if you re-install.You
and application publishers. Most new PC games,
for example, are now released on Impulse and
a growing number of application developers are
releasing their titles on Impulse as well.
– www.gamershell.com
“
can have it auto-update your software, or you can do updates when you
decide it’s time to update. If ever.The choice is yours, not theirs.
– Shamus, www.shamusyoung.com
“
IN THE NEWS
“
garnered widespread support from major game
”
”
Through Stardock’s online games distribution service,
Impulse, the company has spearheaded new DRM
measures that respect the rights of the player.
– Alex Wawro, www.gamepro.com
“
”
“In our testing, we found GOO to be very effective in
protecting our titles, while at the same time offering a
less obtrusive user experience. GOO meets our needs
The ability to inform consumers of driver updates
while protecting the rights of our consumers.
and other optimizations through Impulse, the
– Fredrik Wester, CEO at Paradox Interactive
same platform that gamers use to buy new game
”
titles and to receive game updates, was compelling
for us and a feature that we believe will really
benefit consumers. Our driver updates contain
important optimizations that can really enhance
the PC gaming experience.The easier that we
“
ImpulseTV will feature walkthroughs, tutorials and
tips for gaming as well as highlighting new games
with commentary from expert game journalists like
make it for gamers to find and install our drivers,
Jason Ocampo, formerly of IGN and Gamespot as
the better the PC gaming experience will be.
well as Brian Clair, formerly of Avault.com.
– Bill Rehbock, Senior Director of
Worldwide Content Marketing at NVIDIA
”
– Chris White, gaming.icrontic.com
”
N otes
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Telephone: 1-888-STARDOCK | Sales: 1-888-STARDOCK ext.108 | Fax: 734-927-0678
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prohibited. Stardock and the Stardock logo are registered trademarks, the Impulse logo is trademarked. Other trademarks contained herein are the
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is subject to change without notice.