Stardock Central
Encyclopedia
Stardock Central was a software content delivery
and digital rights management
system used by Stardock
customers to access components of the Object Desktop
, TotalGaming.net and ThinkDesk
product lines, as well as products under the WinCustomize
brand.
Introduced in 2001 to access games on TotalGaming.net (then known as the Drengin Network), Stardock Central was later expanded to cover all Stardock products, replacing Component Manager (1999).
As of 2010, Stardock Central has been phased out in favour of its successor, Impulse.
To cater for the various frequent updates provided for many products, once a package has been downloaded and installed Stardock Central only downloaded updated files for new versions. A product archiving
and restore function was available to backup components and to allow their transfer to other computers. Users could also use the program to interact on Stardock's discussion boards or access the [irc://irc.stardock.com/stardock Stardock IRC server] via a built-in IRC client. WinCustomize subscribers could use the Skins and Themes section to browse and download the WinCustomize library.
Stardock Central was similar in concept to the later-developed Steam content delivery system; unlike Steam, it did not require a permanent connection to the Internet, only being required when a user wanted to install or update a product (or when needed for its chatting, content libraries, or forum support).
was launched simultaneously at retail and online — the first commercial PC game to debut in both venues at once. Those who had purchased Galactic Civilizations at retail could also enter their serial number and download updates to the game. In 2004, Stardock Central began to deliver third party content as well such as games from Take 2, Strategy First
, and Ubisoft
. The Political Machine
was released in 2004, and in 2005, TotalGaming.net phase 2 was released, adding over a dozen new third-party games.
Content delivery
Content delivery describes the delivery of media content such as audio, video, computer software and video games over a delivery medium such as broadcasting or the Internet.Content delivery has two parts:...
and digital rights management
Digital rights management
Digital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. DRM is any technology that inhibits uses of digital content that...
system used by Stardock
Stardock
Stardock Corporation is a software development company founded in 1991 and incorporated in 1993 as Stardock Systems. Stardock initially developed for the OS/2 platform, but was forced to switch to Windows due to the collapse of the OS/2 software market between 1997 and 1998...
customers to access components of the Object Desktop
Object Desktop
Object Desktop is a software subscription service created by Stardock for OS/2 and relaunched for Windows in 1997....
, TotalGaming.net and ThinkDesk
ThinkDesk
ThinkDesk was a productivity application subscription service, launched by Stardock on 14 April 2005 as a utility counterpart to their Object Desktop and TotalGaming.net services. Subscriptions were for one year, after which users could choose to renew or keep the software that they have, including...
product lines, as well as products under the WinCustomize
WinCustomize
WinCustomize is a website that provides content for users to customize Microsoft Windows. The site hosts thousands of skins, themes, icons, wallpapers, and other graphical content to modify the Windows graphical user interface...
brand.
Introduced in 2001 to access games on TotalGaming.net (then known as the Drengin Network), Stardock Central was later expanded to cover all Stardock products, replacing Component Manager (1999).
As of 2010, Stardock Central has been phased out in favour of its successor, Impulse.
Features
Software on Stardock Central was divided into components, and further divided into packages. When users purchased a product or a subscription, they gained access to it via Stardock Central. The program had the ability to break products into components so that users on slower connections could start using the main portion of the software as soon as possible, and download extras — such as in-game movies or music — at a later date.To cater for the various frequent updates provided for many products, once a package has been downloaded and installed Stardock Central only downloaded updated files for new versions. A product archiving
Archive
An archive is a collection of historical records, or the physical place they are located. Archives contain primary source documents that have accumulated over the course of an individual or organization's lifetime, and are kept to show the function of an organization...
and restore function was available to backup components and to allow their transfer to other computers. Users could also use the program to interact on Stardock's discussion boards or access the [irc://irc.stardock.com/stardock Stardock IRC server] via a built-in IRC client. WinCustomize subscribers could use the Skins and Themes section to browse and download the WinCustomize library.
Stardock Central was similar in concept to the later-developed Steam content delivery system; unlike Steam, it did not require a permanent connection to the Internet, only being required when a user wanted to install or update a product (or when needed for its chatting, content libraries, or forum support).
History
While Stardock Central started development in 2001, it got its biggest test in March 2003 when Galactic CivilizationsGalactic Civilizations
Galactic Civilizations is a turn-based strategy computer game developed by Stardock and released in March 2003. The game is a remake of a vintage OS/2 series of the same name. An expansion pack entitled Altarian Prophecy was released in July 2004...
was launched simultaneously at retail and online — the first commercial PC game to debut in both venues at once. Those who had purchased Galactic Civilizations at retail could also enter their serial number and download updates to the game. In 2004, Stardock Central began to deliver third party content as well such as games from Take 2, Strategy First
Strategy First
Strategy First is a software company based in Montreal, Canada. Founded in 1988, the company has published numerous well-known games, such as the Disciples series, Jagged Alliance series, Space Empires series, and Galactic Civilizations....
, and Ubisoft
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
. The Political Machine
The Political Machine
The Political Machine is a government simulation game from Stardock, in which the player leads a campaign to elect the President of the United States...
was released in 2004, and in 2005, TotalGaming.net phase 2 was released, adding over a dozen new third-party games.
External links
- Stardock Central Homepage
- Stardock Central at the WinCustomize Wiki