I suppose this is nice for folks that super love impulse and refused to get steam for some reason   God knows there have been one or two folks around here that refuse(d) to install steam.  Anyway, I think it stands to reason that its ideal to only have have 1 client installed if that's a requirement - mayhaps this is a big win for hardcore impulse fans.  That said, 1 - its nice to see some removal of restrictions (unlike what we'll likely see EA push more) and 2 - I really wonder how much of a win a move like that is for valve.  It does give them a smidge more exposure, but it stands to reason that increasing the adoption rate on steam is much more profitable for them.  Anyway, I'd be very surprised if half life 3 comes out and its released digitally anywhere BUT on steam initially. 

Um.. they require you to install steam so.. if people refuse to install steam it doesn't change anything. (I am one of those people who refuse to install steam or origin. I know resistance is futile but I refuse to be assimilated. )

I like Steam.

heh... that's a bit funny then.    Someday I hope to download something from direct-to-drive that requires me to install steam and impulse.  Finally, a win for everyone.

I'm only on the boat if i have to use a specific service to get a game I want.  Otherwise, I just default to steam.  And the only reason for that is how they excel at sales over the competition.  Anyway, if I could only have one service, I'd personally just go with steam for that reason. 

Will never happen.. Direct 2 drive was bought out by gamefly (which has its own client)

CURSES!!!!

I miss the days when you could just install the software you want and have it bundled with whatever garbage the publisher wanted to throw at you... oh... wait... did they come up with a way to make you need that other software? 

Ya here's the worst part.

Direct2Drive Titles on GameFly

We're currently moving as many game titles as possible from Direct2Drive to GameFly. We will continue to work hard to bring ALL Direct2Drive titles to GameFly, if possible. Some older titles may take a bit longer or may not be migrated if their specs are no longer supported by today's technology. The number of these unsupported titles will be minimal, and will not impact the majority of our customers. We'll send you a separate e-mail if any of the titles you've purchased are not supported on GameFly.

Translation.. some of the games you bought your SOL on. Welcome to digital distribution morons.

Screw it. I'm leaving impulse and I'm going to steam. A friend told me I might be able migrate some of my games over by getting the serial keys from impulse and giving them to steam.

Have you noticed how many games use Steamworks?  'Not buying them' isn't an option unless you rarely play games.

As for me I've gone back to retail over bandwidth concerns, but for digital I currently prefer Impulse over Steam after this new content delivery system garbage.  If they convert everything to the new system I'll be the first to abandon purchasing from them.

Why are you against new content delivery system?

I don't get your logic.. there are plenty of games released that don't use steamworks. If your opposed to steamworks why would you purchase those games that choose to?

If you don't have a problem with steamworks fine. But if you don't like it.. rationalizing your purchases of steamworks titles only supports the practice of publishers using it.

I hate to say this but Steamworks is becoming a requirement for game development these days.  I'm hoping Gamestop is able to get Impulse::Reactor finished soon but it's really expensive to do in game data tracking and such.

Personally I don't think it will make a huge difference for GS, but I think that would certainly be great for publishers.  The only way gamestop (at least in my mind) makes good on impulse is by using their stores to promote impulse.  For instance, trade in a game, get $70 credit at impulse vs $30 in store (at least for me, it would need to be that good).  If they don't come up with some strategy (and they should...), then it obviously wasn't the best purchase.  That said, gamestop's been pretty freaking successful... of course, so was blockbuster.  Executives did a great job on that one - who cares about netflix and redbox - we'll just open more stores...

Honestly, I'd only buy something from impulse if I had an incentive like I mentioned above or they somehow proved to me that they offer better deals than steam more often.  As I very much doubt they will put the money into marketing and running excellent sales as often as steam, that really leaves using their huge B&M advantage to push impulse.  But they have to commit to taking a loss to grow impulse at the store.  Will they be willing to do that?  I'd say yes (if I was them), but I really don't think they will. 

I am still resisting!

I really don't like Valve/steam and imposed myself a complete ban of Steamworks games. It's been almost two years ago, after buying F.E.A.R 2 and finally having enough of steam.  I deleted steam and all my steam games and never played them ever again. Sometimes I feel like im missing some new games, like the Total war Franchise, which i really liked, and the new Serious Sam... But overall I deal with it and am proud to resist. I play non steamworks games, old classics, Civ IV mods and such and am happy enough.

（╯°□°）╯︵ ɯɐǝʇs

Based on interview with Gamestop CEO talking about Impulse, it would seem that their only interest in Impulse is to integrate it to their GameStop PowerUp.