J. Paul Raines

GameStop, the world’s largest retailer of video games with 6,670 stores in 17 countries, is hedging its bets when it comes to digital distribution. The company announced it would acquire Spawn Labs and Impulse to bolster its ability sell games online. The purchase prices were not disclosed.

GameStop Corp. said Tuesday it will acquire Kongregate, a social gaming destination and community for core gamers representing the fast-growing free-to-play gaming market. Kongregate will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of GameStop Corp., said the company, and maintain its current offices in San Francisco.The transaction is expected to close on Aug. 1.According to GameStop, acquiring Kongregate strengthens its digital platform. “Kongregate advances GameStop’s digital strategy by providing a gaming platform for casual, mobile and browser games that can be promoted and played by our existing gamers,” said J. Paul Raines, GameStop CEO.Since launching its website in 2007, Kongregate.com