GameStop Purchases Impulse

The video game retailer GameStop has stepped into the PC Digital Download marketplace in a big way by purchasing Impulse, the DD service launched in 2008 by Stardock (Demigod, Element: War of Magic).

GameStop Announces Acquisition of Spawn Labs and Agreement to Acquire Impulse, Inc.
Streaming technology company and digital distribution platform further advances GameStop’s digital strategy

GRAPEVINE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), the world’s largest multichannel video game retailer, today announced the acquisition of Spawn Labs, a streaming technology company. In addition, GameStop announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase Impulse, Inc., a subsidiary of Stardock Systems, Inc., and a leader in digital distribution. The Impulse acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in May 2011.

Spawn Labs, part of the GameStop network, brings patented technology and a talented team of technologists with unique game streaming and virtualization expertise. The Spawn Labs team will work closely with GameStop’s existing R&D group to develop GameStop’s growing suite of digital game products and services.

Once the Spawn Labs integration and testing on a new consumer interface is complete, users will have immediate access to a wide selection of high-definition video games on demand on any Internet-enabled device.

(Our customers are gaming in many locations and on many devices, and we need to deliver the same great immersive experience that they have come to expect,) said GameStop President Tony Bartel. (Spawn Labs and Impulse provide a customer-friendly and publisher-friendly way for us to accomplish this.)

Impulse, Inc. provides a proven digital distribution platform that allows users to quickly and easily find their favorite games and download them to their Internet-connected devices.

J. Paul Raines, chief executive officer of GameStop, said, (With these important acquisitions, we will continue to make appropriate investments related to our multichannel strategy. GameStop is uniquely positioned to be the leader in both the physical and digital gaming space.)

For users, developers and publishers, Impulse will offer three specific components:

* Impulse::Client – allows gamers to have instant access to a library of more than 1,100 games on day one as well as the ability to manage their game-related downloads and purchases.
* Impulse::Reactor provides content publishers customer friendly DRM and copy protection tools. It also allows developers to enable achievements, account management, friend lists, chat, multiplayer lobbies, and cloud storage within their games.
* Impulse::Publisher allows publishers to manage all aspects of their game with powerful real-time reporting and management tools.

Impulse, Inc. will remain an actively running business with full integration on GameStop.com anticipated within the next few months. To learn more about Impulse, Inc. and Spawn Labs, visit www.impulsedriven.com and www.Spawnlabs.com.

The purchase will not impact existing or newly created accounts as Impulse inc will continue to run as a semi-independent entity, while Stardock confirms this does not impact the development of the Elemental franchise in any way, as per the official FAQ.

Stardock Community FAQ
Statement to the Stardock community:

We at Stardock have always operated with the goal of transparency to our loyal (and awesome) fan base. As such, we understand that many of you will have questions regarding the recent news that Impulse, Inc. has been acquired by GameStop.

Below is an FAQ designed to address what we hope is the majority of your questions. Please understand that during the acquisition phase there will be questions we cannot address due to confidentiality agreements.

Above all else, we want to insure you that service to Impulse will not be affected by this transition and that your accounts are still as valid today as the day you created them.

We cannot express with words the amount of appreciation we have to you, our loyal fans and customers and the support you have shown Stardock and Impulse over the past decade: from Stardock Central to TotalGaming.net to Impulse, Stardock has been on the bleeding edge of digital media innovation since its inception and has a rich history of bringing successful concepts to market first.

We at Stardock look forward to what the future brings for PC gaming, digital distribution and of course, continued innovation at Stardock, Inc.

FAQ

Was Stardock acquired or just Impulse?
GameStop has acquired Impulse, Inc.

How does this affect my account?
There will be no disruption in service to existing or newly created accounts. Impulse will continue to function as normal for existing and new customers. Your current purchases will continue to be available through Impulse, Inc.

Who will handle customer support during the acquisition phase?
For the foreseeable future, nothing will change for customers. Impulse, Inc. will continue to handle customer support.

What happens to the staff?
The staff will be staying with Impulse, Inc.

Will there be layoffs?
We do not anticipate any. All key employees that worked for Impulse, Inc. are continuing with Impulse. Shared resources will be reabsorbed into one of Stardock’s other business units.

Is Stardock hiring?
Yes!

What kinds of positions are you hiring for?
Stardock is actively hiring software engineers of all types, project managers, senior developers and artists.

Does this affect the development of the Elemental franchise or the Sins expansion?
It doesn’t. Impulse is a separate business unit from Stardock Entertainment.