"Impulse is a platform first, a store second. Our primary objective with Impulse is to address the issues users have with their Windows experience today," said Stardock CEO Brad Wardell.

Essentially rebranded version of the company's previous digital distribution solution Stardock Central, Impulse is bundled with today's retail release of Stardock's Political Machine 2008. All titles registered on a user's Stardock.net accounts are available via Impulse.

Supporting all types of PC software including games, applications and utilities, Impulse does not require its users to be online to play single-player titles. Stardock noted that it is currently working with Epic Games, THQ, Gas Powered Games, Ironclad Games, and several others in bringing software to Impulse.

The platform's online store currently features a variety of products and titles such as Ironclad Games' Sins of a Solar Empire, Epic Games' Unreal Tournament 3, and the first episode of Hothead Games' Penny Arcade Adventures. Stardock's own strategic presidential sim The Political Machine 2008 is also available.

The launch of Stardock's rebranded platform joins the growing ranks of PC-based digital distribution networks, including Valve's Steam and Hothead's Greenhouse.