Discord to Enhance Gaming Experience with App Upgrades

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Key Takeaways

  • Discord announces major upgrades, including improved video latency and a new 64-bit desktop client.
  • Expanded integration with Xbox and PlayStation 5 allows direct voice chat and game streaming on consoles.
  • New initiatives like Quests and the Embedded App SDK support game developers and enhance user experience.

Discord, the popular communication platform, is set to enhance its users’ gaming experience through significant app upgrades and a refreshed brand identity.

CEO Jason Citron announced in a blog post on May 29, as the company celebrates its ninth anniversary, outlining a bold vision for the platform’s future.

Citron emphasized that the primary goal is to make Discord faster and more reliable, ensuring users can easily connect with friends and engage in gaming sessions.

Key upgrades include improved video latency, a new 64-bit desktop client, and enhanced features for the mobile app. These changes aim to provide a seamless experience across various devices, including PCs, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.

In addition to these improvements, Discord has expanded its integration with Xbox and PlayStation 5, allowing users to chat in voice directly on consoles and stream games to Discord. This move underscores the company’s commitment to cross-platform play, enabling gamers to connect regardless of their device.

Discord also focuses on supporting game developers through new initiatives such as Quests and the Embedded App SDK. Quests help game publishers reach their audience on Discord, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and PUBG: Battlegrounds participating in early trials.

The Embedded App SDK allows developers to bring innovative games and apps directly to the platform, fostering creativity and enhancing users’ gaming experience.

Citron envisions a future where Discord plays a central role in the expanding multiplayer gaming industry. He anticipates the platform attracting another billion users over the next decade, emphasizing the importance of providing a fast, powerful service to facilitate communication before, during, and after gaming sessions.

“We’re excited to continue welcoming anyone who finds a place on Discord, helping them have more fun and build lasting relationships online,” Citron concluded.

Twitch’s Success Journey

Launched initially twelve years ago by Citron and co-founder Stan Vishnevskiy, Discord was designed to serve the growing need for a reliable communication tool among gamers.

The platform has since grown exponentially. It boasts 200 million monthly users, with over 90% engaging in gaming activities. This amounts to a staggering 1.5 billion hours of gameplay each month.

The blog post comes days after Twitch introduced new features to enhance user control over their viewing experience.