Impulse is, of course, Stardock's own digital client that offers a way to purchase and download games, both from Stardock and other publishers. Impulse Reactor is a suite of development tools that Stardock offers developers to use for free where they can add things like achievements, multiplayer online options and other features to their games. Stardock's one requirement for Impulse Reactor users is that they must also offer their games for digital download via the Impulse client.

However, the next version of Impulse Reactor, as Wardell revealed to Big Download in an exclusive phone interview Thursday, will also have a feature that will give developers a way to protect their game's IP without some of the issues that have plagued other DRM set-ups such as Steam or SecuROM (used in a number of Electronic Arts titles.)

As Wardell explained to us, developers who use the next version of Impulse Reactor can include a small DLL that will allow developers to use Stardock servers for registration and updates. For example people who install a game with Impulse Reactor for the first time might be asked for a CD Key and an email address. Once that's done the game is registered with Impulse Reactor servers.