Impulse acquired by GameStop

TechCrunch is reporting some startling news: Stardock’s digital distribution service Impulse was purchased by videogame retailer GameStop. This acquisition, along with Spawn Labs, a TechCrunch50 company that specializes in game streaming technology, puts GameStop in the forefront of digital gaming.

GameStop for years has been relying on its used game service for a major profit margin, but with the emergence of digital game distribution from such services as Valve and Live for Windows, GameStop has seen brick-and-mortar sales declining. GameStop has been dallying with digital downloads on its own site, but just for older software. These acquisitions not only bring GameStop up to speed on videogame sales, but future proofs the company with the advent of game streaming. A month ago, Gaikai showed off an amazing Mass Effect 2 demo being played inside a web browser.

Strategy Informer is making some inquiries to confirm the deals. Stay tuned.