Yay!  Glad to see you put the other games up!

I can't speak specifically for Stardock, but I've had that same problem pop up at GG. I purchased a game there, and that weekend the bundled the game and 2 expansions for less than I paid. All it took was one polite email to customer support and they added the expansions to my account. I'm pretty sure that's the normal response to issues such as these.

No it doesn't.

First came AoW I, then AoW II, then AoW SM (which was a sequel to AoW II).

The reason for getting AoW II in addition to AoW SM would be for the campaigns.

I actually ordered AoW SM but would be interested in AoW II.  If I do that, I might as well get the first game for free since AoW II + AoW SM = the price of the AoW Trilogy.

Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Wonders:_Shadow_Magic

Shadow Magic is the best. It added 2 (or three?) races, each with some unique mechanics, a third plane (on top of caves and surface) etc etc.

Still, the others each have their worth. AoW I was oozing with an odd charm, AI issues aside. I also enjoyed its campaign more. AoW II was a great successor, and SM was a very solid expansion. I still break out the map editor from time to time, when I'm feeling creative but don't want to actually, you know, play anything.

Just bought whole trilogy.

It's 3 new races in the SM. Shadow Demons, Syrons and Nomads.

Also Shadow Magic is not a sequel but rather expansion of AoW 2. It has a tons of content though so it could almost pass as sequel.

AoW had 12 races and allowed 12 players in single game (as opposed to 8 in AoW2 and AoW2:SM). It also has tactical combat that is arguably even more tactical then later AoW games. For starters, units start further away from each other giving you time to position them on the battlefield before engaging enemies. I recommend people to try all these games. Whole trilogy is dirt cheap in the Impulse now and you are guaranteed tons of fun playing them.

Did I mention still live and kicking community that still produces maps and mods for these games?

The one on Impulse is also free of DRM.

So you install it and then forget about Impulse. You don't need Impulse or internet connection to play it. Just like you don't need to have Impulse (or internet connection) for any other game you buy on Impulse. Impulse isn't like Steam. Also, there won't be any more official patches for AoW:SM so you don't need to worry about updating it.

True, but its safe to say that's not going to matter that much to this fellow.

It's still a form of access control, as defined by DRM.  We cannot access the game without using your proprietary software first.  Obviously, there will probably never be any actual updates of AoW, but still, it's a "technical" restriction as part of the agreement.  Also, what happens if I lose my files?  Do I have to use Impulse to re-download it again?

This is what I never understand.  People will argue till they're blue in the face that "this is not DRM" and does absolutely nothing to restrict our play online or offline.  My answer is, then why use it all?

If you are REALLY telling us we have nothing to complain about at all, then why not just give us a compressed file we can download directly from our browser like GOG does?  There is no difference right?  So why bother with the Impulse app at all?  For antiquated games like this, there is no point to even using the Impulse client, if I'm reading your response correct.

Okay, then answer my question: Why do we need the application, period?  GoG allows me to download all my stuff in one place too, without proprietary software.

...

It's not too hard to understand the dirty little secret here: Stardock, Steam and others wants to make money through advertising.  This becomes especially transparent when it sells old-school games like Age of Wonders, when there is no logical benefit to the customer by using their software.

Still waiting on my answer...

Edit: Nevermind, you've answered it.

You admit that this is the reason to buy AoW from Impulse.  Well, if it's of no real benefit to me, and it's just to line their pockets, then no thank you.

GoG requires an internet browser. The internet browser is free, but must be installed to receive delivery of games and updates.  It too is a form of DRM (based on how you are defining the term).  If you don't have an internet browser, you can't get at the games.  GoG doesn't have any ads on their website, I imagine. Its probably just a somewhat blank web page where you can't see anything but a link to a download.  Surely they don't advertise other games on their website.  These are pretty silly, annoying arguments, no?  Its apparently ok to use this form of "DRM" as long as the "DRM" works with an app you already have installed.  If you are required to install another application, well, that's about the most horrible thing I've ever heard, but you are certainly entitled to your opinion. 

Side note, and I do apologize, but what is this thread about again?  "Age of Wonders Makes it Way to Impulse."  Maybe start your own thread on this topic instead of derailing an announce thread (that many of us are excited about) to go on about how you'd rather not have to install impulse to purchase and download games from SD. 

I picked up the trilogy a few minutes ago.  Glad you SD folks got this up and running for weekend.  Thanks!