How does Impulse work?

I4AT

Platinum Member
Oct 28, 2006
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Looking at possibly purchasing Gotham City Impostors via Gamestop/Impulse for $7.50, but I'm wondering, is Impulse just a download manager, or is it a client that needs to be run in the background while I'm playing the game like Steam?
 

Martimus

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2007
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It is a download manager. Although you can run it in the background to keep your games updated and communicate with friends like Steam, it is not required.
 

BlitzPuppet

Platinum Member
Feb 4, 2012
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Impluse was/is the least instrusive of Digital Game downloaders that I've use (I've only used it for Sins of a Solar Empire though). I haven't used it since gamespot bought them out so I can't really say how it is now.

When use it for SoaSE it's just game shortcut on desktop to play, impulse doesn't need to be open.
 

I4AT

Platinum Member
Oct 28, 2006
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Thanks, so can anyone confirm whether that's still the case today since the Gamestop acquisition?
 

Zorander

Golden Member
Nov 3, 2010
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I don't think it has changed. I like the fact it does not demand that you are logged in to play games (unlike Steam -no matter it has an Offline mode or not-) and I think you can still play them even with Impulse uninstalled.
 

Stuka87

Diamond Member
Dec 10, 2010
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So is it a bad thing that the first thing that came to mind when I saw this threads title was "You mean type of engine used for sub-light travel in Star Trek?"

But on topic, it works similar to how Amazon's game downloading service works.
 

HydroSqueegee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2005
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its always running in the background for me, but its not as intrusive as steam. I have quite a few games through Impulse.