Stardock's Impulse: Potential Steam killer?

It seems stardock is preparing a potential steam killer. This new software is completely residesigned from Stardock Central, and IMO, far better then Steam. I'm trying out the beta, here's some screenies:













Gonna be interesting how this turns out. Stardock has no DRM, you can play games from the start menu once you've installed them from Impulse. You can buy a TG.net sub for $70, and get $120 worth of games. Then you get 30-50% off each new game you buy for being a member.


Obviously, though, no matter how pretty a software is, when it comes to digital games distribution, whether Stardock succeeceds will depend on good games. Nevertheless, this may signal competition and price drops.

 

It might be a good distribution service, but what are its flagship games? It doesn't have CS, Half-Life, TF2, and so on to drive it. It's like how it's difficult to pose a substantial challenge to Microsoft, unless you've found something unique that people want.

 

Well Stardock does have Sins and Gal Civ 2, which are niche Strategy games. Admittedly nowhere near the scale of the FPS games mentioned, but perhaps they will be looking to expand into other genres.

At the moment I dont think they are in direct competition as they dont offer the same types of games.

That could change however if Steam picks up some strategy titles or Stardock starts distributing an FPS or 3.

Either way, Ive been very impressed with the Stardock setup so far. (Havent tried Steam).

 

They have a very similar format to the current steam layout. Especially that second screenie. Unless they are like Valve and managed to get a bunch of other developers to put their games on Stardocks service then they won't top Steam.

 

"Roger that..."

 

Here is another article about Impulse.

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9606&Itemid=2

There are still a lot of featured that will be integrated into Impulse, although we can't say what they are right now.

As far as the "flagship" games, we have Galactic Civlizations and Sins, which is one of the top games right now.

 

If Impulse doesn't have DRM on the games, then I'd definitely consider buying stuff from it. I've heard their retail games don't, but I wasn't clear on the download service.

I never bought Half Life 2 and the other Source games because of the DRM (I want to be able to play a game I buy 15, 20 years from now if I want to). Ditto for Bioshock on PC.

 

NO CS, No TF2, NO HL2 .. means useless..

Worlds 80% game servers are filled with CS players.

Screw warcarft.. that n00b boring game should rest in China.

 

There has been lots of talk about Steam lately, and now impulse. But what do people think about ign's direct2drive?

 

It looks nice, I will give it that. But it looks kind of bloated, as a gaming central, it is packaged with other objectdock softwares.And it looks very much like the currently steam layout but without the games there to support it. imo, in order for Impulse to kill Steam, it is going to need alot of supports from other game developers, at least the same amount as Steam if not more.

 

If it really doesn't have DRM and they can get a decent selection, I think it would be the service to beat.

 

Meh. What I like about steam is that the interface is not cluttered and is easy on the eye, whereas this look bloated.

 

Well tjhe link provided above says this:

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9606&Itemid=2

"We’ve also either signed or come close to signing most of the major PC game publishers to release their games onto it once it becomes generally available."

 

If you guys remember, Steam at one pioint was just their products and a few third parties too.

Of course the main issue their was, Steam at that time was a piece of crap.

This beta is more stable then Steam was at the time

This is more then about prettiness, or bloated, or any of that. It's about functionality. This software just works, and works like a dream. If alot of good games show up, I can definately see them competing.

 

I really like the look of that. Especially the news and widgets section, thats where Steam is definitely lacking.

 

A comment on the Next Genaration article says the download version of their games DOES include DRM.

So this is pointless. We've already got Steam if we want to rent DRMed up games.

 

Lol. I didn't notice that. Steam fan?

Here's a tip, always listen to just what an unbiased source says, not a random person off the street

I can verify that none of the downloaded games use DRM. And I've bought Alpha Prime and Earth 2150.


If it did use DRM you could sue Totalgaming.net for false advertising:

http://totalgaming.stardock.com/

NO DRM YOUR GAME YOUR WAY ANYTIME ANYWHERE

With this said, I'm dying to know who the new TOtal.gaming.net partners are. I still may mainly use Steam, but steam has issues if your disconnected from the web, as in your can't play their games:\

If theirs some good games that come on tg.net, that you can just install and play from the start menu like usual, it would be nice to get them. For the times when I'm not online.

 

Not a steam fan but your posts doesn't give Steam the credit it deserves. Steam was in beta that's why it is buggy, and now it is functioning stable and well. You don't compare Beta to Beta at least not in this situation, Steam is now out of beta and much more mature than the client it once was. I don't care how beta performed, I only want to see the final result. If Impulse is able to deliver way better service then Steam as it matures, sure I will be glad to switch, until then Steam takes priority, because I enjoy their flagship games.

For the download and play part, Steam offers offline mode, so don't necessary have to have online connection to play games, given that you varify your log in information at least once online. This isn't an issue because with either service you ultimately still needs the Internet to get the game, at that point you can verify the login detail and have the games set up in off line mode. Unless of course the game is multiplier, then it will need connection regardless.

 

Yeah, I hear Galactic Civilizations and Sins have sold really well, but I'm not sure they can compete with the market share of games like Steam's best-sellers.

Kinda like... selling X-brand tissue. You're still not really putting that big a dent in Kleenex's sales.

And don't we all love Kleenex?

 

That's the whole point. everything else is secondary.

 

I've been using Stardock Central since the Sins of a Solar Empire beta and BOY did they give it a facelift!

Seriously, before it looked like notepad on a spreadsheet. The most bland Download service known to man! As of right now, all I own from that service is Sins and the DreamScene program they offer...which is free anyway.

The service would probably do VERY well if Steam didn't already have such an established presence in the market. As it stands, they have a purpose other than games with their Windows Applications, which is where I think they will receive most of their sales.

Also, we are starting to see something like "Brand Loyalty" appear in the online market. Just like iTunes, services like D2D and Steam got into the digital distribution market early, assuring their longevity by getting players to invest in them with games like Half-Life 2. With that kind of momentum, it will be difficult for new services to take over the market.

But yeah, I really like both companies and so I am glad the Stardock Central has a large application download library, otherwise their whole service would be largely overshadowed.

 

Are you talking to me? No, I'm not a Steam fan for the exact same reason, the DRM they use.

The no DRM thing is a flat out lie. It's got one of the worst forms of DRM. I should say again that I don't automatically have a problem with ANY DRM, but rather any that requires interaction with an outside server, as Totalgaming's does. Every download service I'm aware of does something similar.

That depends on the game. The only one I'm aware of that needs a constant connection is Lost Planet.

 

The only big difference I can see in the future is that Steam has the backing of Valve, which i doubt impluse will get. Because tons of people play valve games.

 

Any digital distribution service is going to have interaction with a server. That really has nothing to do with being the "worst form" of DRM.

 

Huh? How is being reliant on a third party for access to content you "bought" not one of the worst forms of DRM?

 

I'm coming to this a bit late but a few things:

WolfPup: Any digital distribution service is going to have to talk to a server to get the content. I'm not sure what "worst form" of DRM you are even talking about. You download your game onto your computers and play them. You don't have to be on the Internet to play the games, just when you download them.

Re Content: Clearly content is the key. Historically, Stardock only focused on having its own content on Stardock Central (hence the name "Stardock Central"). With Impulse, you will begin seeing major publishers support it. In fact, there will be a major announcement tomorrow and more over the coming weeks.

Re Steam: Impulse is not a Steam killer. I use Steam for CS, TF, HL, etc. However, Steam does come from a first person shooter kind of design. Stardock's experience is more in the strategy game, RPG side of things and its architecture will reflect that. While Steam may be a wonderful experience for people playing shooters, it doesn't really do much for those of us wanting to get games of Company of Heroes or Supreme Commander going.

 

Why not? I've bought and played regularly my strategy games through steam. What's the difference? (just a honest question, don't know Impulse).

 

Stardock is great. They never use DRM on their games, just a serial# and you can install it on any of your PC/laptops. No disc check either (for the retail version). If you use Stardock Central, you can even re-install games that you have bought on any PCs. Great when you get a new PC. Don't even have to find the original game disc, just install Stardock Central and you can re-install every game you ever bought from them.

 

When I bought Prey from steam for 4.95 last week. I tried to see if I could play it offline and it worked. I really like the back up feature that steam uses.

 

That's not the issue. The issue is needing to "activate" it in some form with a third party over the internet.

Not on their retail discs, but their download service sure does.

 

AND THE SAGA CONTINUES!

*cue music*

 

No. Certain titles have activation. It depends on the title.

For instance, GalCiv II has activation, GalCiv I does not.

But how exactly is activation a terrible thing? You already have to download the program in the first place, so what problem do you have with activation? I'm genuinely interested in knowing.

 

Does it run on Linux? If not, no dice.

 

You're dependent on a both an internet connection and a third party to be able to use something you "bought". That's really an extended rental, not a purchase. There's no guarantee you're going to be able to play it next year, let alone in 5 years, or 15, or...

It's a lot more onerous than say, DRM disc based console games or DVD/Blu Ray has.

 

It might look pretty, but why is it better than STEAM?

STEAM is pretty much perfect IMO. This won't even hurt Valve.

 

The activation process is upon installation, after that you don't have to worried about being "dependent" on an internet connection to play the game. I certainly prefer that over having to put a CD or DVD every time I want to play a quick game.

I wouldn't say the intention is to "hurt". I think I would sum it up best as giving more opportunities for game developers, and more of a choice for gamers. That's a good thing all around.

Just today Stardock announced a partnership with Gas Powered games for Demigod.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52094

 

You're dependent on a third party + internet connection to install/reinstall the game.

 

too bad demigod got delayed, I was really looking forward to that game.

great news that Stardock is getting GPG games though.

 

And? Is it really that big of a deal. I install/reinstall a game once, maybe twice.

 

I'm really looking forward to this. I love STEAM, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of competition, which this will hopefully bring to the online space. The guys at Stardock are great people, and so far have been wildly successful with their titles. I love Sins, can't seem to get enough. But like many have said, it will depend on what titles it offers, but I would assume online systems will be very much like stores, where they carry the same products, but can offer bulk discounts in order to compete, or offer free games..whatever the case may be, it's good for us PC Gamers.

 

It is is you want to own the game. From how it sounds like you're using it, you might be better off with a rental. But for people who want to own a game and play it again in the future whenever they'd like, it's a big issue.

 

You do own the game. Comparing activating the game when you install to "renting" is quite ridiculous.

There is nothing stopping you from playing the game whenever you want.

 

Hmm.. Sounds interesting. Right now I'm 100% satisfied with steam (been using it since CS1.6 came out - just recently started buying games of it via the Orange Box pre-order and Prey for $5) and don't have any problems with it, but I'm always glad to see competition.

 

Of course there is. As was said, you're entirely dependent on a third party. You don't own anything, it's basically an extended rental.

 

While I think that calling it an extended rental is going a bit excessive, I can understand what you mean. If, for whatever reason, Steam shut down tomorrow, what games that you bought would you still have? You wouldn't be able to reinstall or activate anything. Buying a standalone copy, whether digital or via physical media sometimes provides protections to an issue like this (don't lose the disc, though). You don't, however, get the benefits of this model, like being able to install Stardock's software on another computer and reinstall every app you've ever gotten from them. There are pros and cons.

Regardless, while I'm not a huge fan of digital distribution services in general, more competition in a relatively lonely market is rarely a bad thing.