New Technology Reviews!.: snaps

GameStop snaps up Spawn Labs, Impulse game distribution platform

<img alt="" border="0" hspace="4" src="http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5198/gamestopimpulsespawn.jpg" vspace="4">We wouldn't count on its retail business going away anytime soon, but it looks like GameStop is now also betting heavily on a digitally-distributed future. To that end, the company has just announced that it's acquiring both Spawn Labs and Steam-competitor Impulse, the latter of which it's buying out from parent company Stardock Systems. While Spawn Labs may not be the most familiar name, you might remember its HD-720 set-top box -- essentially a Slingbox for your game consoles -- which we first checked out way back in 2009 and finally started shipping in early 2010. It sounds like GameStop may have some even grander ambitions for the technology than that, however, as the company's press release says that it's now testing a "new consumer interface" that will give users "immediate access to a wide selection of high-definition video games on demand on any Internet-enabled device." As our pals at Joystiq note, that sounds an awful lot like OnLive-esque cloud-based gaming service, but GameStop unfortunately isn't offering many other hints at the moment. <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/gamestop-snaps-up-spawn-labs-impulse-game-distribution-platform/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">via</A>

GameStop snaps up Spawn Labs, Impulse game distribution platform

We wouldn't count on its retail business going away anytime soon, but it looks like GameStop is now also betting heavily on a digitally-...

Microsoft snaps up PC gaming guru

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/computer-hardware/desktop-systems/images/1-6-09-hp-firebird-voodoo-200-200.jpg"> Microsoft has hired the outspoken founder of Voodoo PC Rahul Sood, its clearest indication to date of a whole new focus on gaming Windows 8. Windows 8 is expected to have a significantly ramped up offering for PC gamers, and the hiring of Sood will only serve to underline that suggestion. Sood will move from a role at Hewlett Packard – who bought Voodoo PC – has been one of the loudest voices in support of the PC as a gaming platform, at one point <a href="">hitting out at his new employers Microsoft</A> Lacklustre Microsoft has been criticised in recent years for its lacklustre offering and support of gamers on the PC, with focus firmly on its Xbox 360 offering. However, Sood will bring a degree of credibility to the company when he takes on the role of general manager for system experience, with his controversial statements winning him many PC gaming fans. "Well, it's probably time I let the cat out of the bag. I am happy to announce that I'll be joining Microsoft as the GM for System Experience in the Interactive Entertainment Business," <a href="http://www.rahulsood.com/2010/12/hello-from-seattle.html">blogged Sood</A>. "I'll be working on some really....really...really cool stuff come January 2011. If you need to get in touch with me feel free to find me on Facebook or Twitter. "I may or may not attend CES, but if you have something really cool to show let me know soon!"

Microsoft snaps up PC gaming guru

Microsoft has hired the outspoken founder of Voodoo PC Rahul Sood, its clearest indication to date of a whole new focus on gaming Windows 8...