They’re ”struggling to redefine” themselves and want to avoid becoming the ”next Blockbuster.” Impulse’s numbers were ”negligible” says Bergquist.
”While adding digital distribution can certainly be seen certainly a logical step for GameStop, it is unclear if the acquisitions of Impulse and Spawn Labs was a wise decision,” wrote GamersGate CEO Theo Bergquist.
”GameStop has been struggling to redefine the company. While it is still the dominant force in traditional video-game retail, the firm is certainly aware of the trend away from OEM purchases for console games.”
”As GameStop puts it in their press release, “GameStop doesn’t care how you get your games; it just wants to be the company that gets them to you”, or to paraphrase “we will do whatever we can to not be the next Blockbuster,” continued Bergquist.
The sudden announcement of Impulse’s purchase by GameStop certainly came as a surprise, although it was a nasty one for Star Ruler’s development studio who has since pulled their support for the service, refusing to publish their game through it.
”While GameStop is wise to enter the digital space—its specific acquisitions, namely Impulse, do raise some flags. Looking at Impulse objectively, the Stardock subsidiary appears to be Steam’s lesser talented stepchild.”
”Unfortunately, not much has happened at Impulse lately– their catalogue hasn’t grown at the pace it should have, and the platform is not as edgy is should be to even consider giving Steam a match in the ”client-based-strategy” race.”
”While almost definitely purchased at a bargain, the question is whether or not Impulse was the right company to acquire to be the foundation of GameStop’s digital business. With a negligible following, it is clear GameStop purchased Impulse for its’ technology.”
”The intelligence of this acquisition rests on how easily and quickly GameStop will be able to integrate Impulse into its existing operations. Unless Impulse has a few unreleased features and concepts ready to launch immediately so GameStop can get a flying start, I really don’t see a great fit,” added Bergquist.
”Only time will show the merits of this acquisition. One thing is for certain— digital content delivery for games just got a lot more interesting.” Do you own titles through Stardock Games’ Impulse service? Can GameStop further the digital cause?
