TheRetroArcade
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Joined: Feb 2026
This Picasso hack will never make it as a painter!
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Before a career second act at Nightdive Studios, the recently-retired Larry Kuperman's big project was Impulse. It was to be GameStop's answer to Steam, but it went the way of the dodo in 2014. Kuperman went into his personal history building up Impulse's catalogue when we spoke at this year's Game Developers Conference.
Kuperman came to the games industry about halfway through his professional career, with both his story and that of Impulse beginning at Stardock, a software company that was branching out into games. Stardock's management was thinking in terms of digital distribution early—Kuperman started in 2001—and the company was laying the groundwork for its own service.
"We reserved the rights to electronically sell the game," Kuperman recalled of his first game with Stardock, economics sim The Corporate Machine. "It was part of the contract negotiation that we could sell the game electronically. I'm sure the lawyer at Take Two [was thinking], 'It's electronic distribution. Who cares about that?' That moment was kind of pivotal."
The first iteration of this online store was a website called Drengin—its archived form is a real hoot, with a throwback layout advertising the hottest games coming in 2004. "Back in those days, it was not the same game experience," recalled Kuperman. "You got this thing to download and the serial number that came in your email."
Around 2004 to 2005, when the Canadian publisher Strategy First (Jagged Alliance, O.R.B: Off-World Research Base) collapsed while working with Stardock, the software company walked away with electronic distribution rights to Strategy First's games. "That launched what would become Impulse, which was a Steam competitor from Stardock. It was a similar platform," said Kuperman.
Impulse first launched in 2008, and was then sold to GameStop in 2011. "I joined GameStop for two years as their head of electronic distribution on the PC side," recalled Kuperman."I thought that was going to be my forever job. Ironically, that didn't work out.
"I guess, back in that time, [it was] completely different management than is at GameStop now, but GameStop thoug...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
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Every Friday
GamesRadar+
Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.
Every Thursday
GTA 6 O'clock
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
Every Friday
Knowledge
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Every Thursday
The Setup
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Every Wednesday
Switch 2 Spotlight
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Every Saturday
The Watchlist
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Once a month
SFX
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
Before a career second act at Nightdive Studios, the recently-retired Larry Kuperman's big project was Impulse. It was to be GameStop's answer to Steam, but it went the way of the dodo in 2014. Kuperman went into his personal history building up Impulse's catalogue when we spoke at this year's Game Developers Conference.
Kuperman came to the games industry about halfway through his professional career, with both his story and that of Impulse beginning at Stardock, a software company that was branching out into games. Stardock's management was thinking in terms of digital distribution early—Kuperman started in 2001—and the company was laying the groundwork for its own service.
"We reserved the rights to electronically sell the game," Kuperman recalled of his first game with Stardock, economics sim The Corporate Machine. "It was part of the contract negotiation that we could sell the game electronically. I'm sure the lawyer at Take Two [was thinking], 'It's electronic distribution. Who cares about that?' That moment was kind of pivotal."
The first iteration of this online store was a website called Drengin—its archived form is a real hoot, with a throwback layout advertising the hottest games coming in 2004. "Back in those days, it was not the same game experience," recalled Kuperman. "You got this thing to download and the serial number that came in your email."
Around 2004 to 2005, when the Canadian publisher Strategy First (Jagged Alliance, O.R.B: Off-World Research Base) collapsed while working with Stardock, the software company walked away with electronic distribution rights to Strategy First's games. "That launched what would become Impulse, which was a Steam competitor from Stardock. It was a similar platform," said Kuperman.
Impulse first launched in 2008, and was then sold to GameStop in 2011. "I joined GameStop for two years as their head of electronic distribution on the PC side," recalled Kuperman."I thought that was going to be my forever job. Ironically, that didn't work out.
"I guess, back in that time, [it was] completely different management than is at GameStop now, but GameStop thoug...Read more: Full article on www.pcgamer.com
What do you think about this?