Stardock launches Phase IV of Impulse

by: Chuck - posted: 9/9/2009 4:24:00 PM

Impulse has launched Phase IV of their Impulse digital distribution service which includes a completely revamped client, tweaks, and the new Ready To Play matchmaking system.  If you want more information on what all is included with this release check out my impressions from PAX as it's got all the info on why you'll want to download this tonight with the new iTunes.

Stardock Unveils Impulse Phase IV



- New digital distribution platform gives gamers an improved experience with a revamped client, online store, a new tray program, and paves the way to a new feature: Ready to Play -

PLYMOUTH, MI -- (Sept 9, 2009) – Software developer Stardock (www.stardock.com) revealed the fourth phase of its popular digital distribution platform, Impulse, today (www.impulsedriven.com).



Impulse enables users to quickly purchase, download, install and update any of thousands of available games, applications, and utilities to their machine. Once purchased, the program becomes associated with their account. If a user purchases a new PC or reformats an existing PC, a user can install Impulse, log in with their account and instantly re-download all their programs.



In the year since its initial release, Impulse has garnered widespread support from major game 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.



“The objective of Impulse is to make it so that your software truly belongs to you,” said Brad Wardell, president & CEO of Stardock. “Anyone who has ever dug through boxes of CDs or looked through old emails to find a serial number can recognize the advantages of Impulse.”



Impulse Phase IV is part of the ongoing series of major feature updates for the growing digital distribution platform. The new client presents a more streamlined experience for managing installed programs, has a much faster, easier to use store, and continues to improve on its unbeatable download speeds to customers.



In addition, PC gamers will soon be able to make use of a new Impulse feature called “Ready to Play”, a revolutionary new free program that allows users to create instant virtual communities based on profiles in order to quickly get multiplayer games going with like-minded people.



“Imagine Match.com or eHarmony for PC gamers where users enter in their gaming preferences and some profile data and with that data, Ready to Play can recommend other gamers with similar gaming preferences. My idea of what is ‘fun’ in an online game is probably different from that of say a teenager,” said Wardell. “With Ready to Play, now you can quickly get games going with ‘recommended’ friends.”



Ready to Play will go into wide beta as part of the Impulse Phase IV roll-out this week. To learn more about Impulse visit www.impulsedriven.com.





About Stardock

Stardock is one of the world’s leading developers and publishers of PC games and desktop software. Its PC games include Sins of a Solar Empire, the highest rated and best selling PC strategy game of 2008 as well as the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations series. Its desktop software includes Object Desktop, WindowBlinds, and a host of other programs for customizing the Windows experience. Learn more about Stardock by visiting www.stardock.com.