GameStop acquires Spawn Labs

The gaming giant has also agreed to acquire Impulse, Inc.

Multichannel video game retailer GameStop on Thursday announced its acquisition of Spawn Labs, a peer-to-peer game streaming technology company, as well as its agreement to acquire Impulse, Inc., a subsidiary of Stardock Systems. GameStop did not disclose the terms of either deal and could not be reached for comment.

Founded in 2004, Spawn Labs will bring its unique streaming and virtualization technology to GameStop. The company has developed what it calls an "anytime, anywhere" platform that gives gamers real-time remote access to its products. Its first application allows gamers to play their console video games anywhere--at home or on-the-go--from any network connected computer. Additionally, users can play alone or with friends remotely. 

Based out of Austin, TX, the company sells a version of its remote game-play app to other leading game developers. Spawn Labs has a headcount of 20 people and in 2009, it raised $1 million in funding. 

Once Spawn Labs has been fully integrated into GameStop and it's been tested out on a new user interface, GameStop customers will be able to get immediate access to a number of high-definition video games on any Internet-enabled device. 

In a somewhat similar vein, Impulse, Inc. offers a digital distribution platform that allows gamers to easily find their favorite video games and download them to their Internet-connected devices. The Impulse acquisition will bring components for gamers, publishers, and developers to GameStop, including: Impulse Client, which gives gamers instant access to a library of more than 1,100 games and the ability to manage their downloads and purchases; Impulse Reactor, which provides customer friendly DRM and copy protection tools to publishers, and lets developers enable achievements, account management, friend lists, chat, multiplayer lobbies, and cloud storage within their games; and Impulse Publisher, which provides real-time reporting and management tools to publishers so that they can better manage their games.

“With these important acquisitions, we will continue to make appropriate investments related to our multichannel strategy. GameStop is uniquely positioned to be the leader in both the physical and digital gaming space," said GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines in a statement. 

The Impulse acquisition is expected to close in May 2011. 

Image source: GameStop.com