discordJun 8, 2026

Introducing: You Bar (opens in new tab)

Discord’s new You Bar is a mobile navigation redesign intended to simplify movement through the app, emphasize users’ identities, and bring mobile and desktop experiences closer together. Inspired by open-world games, it treats servers as the world users explore and the You Bar as their personal interface for moving through it. Discord says the redesign is rolling out to mobile users, with further customization and voice features planned. ## Simplifying Mobile Navigation - Discord previously used separate navigation systems for servers and non-server destinations, which became increasingly complex. - Because most mobile activity centers on servers and channels, the You Bar organizes navigation around that primary behavior. - Tapping the You Bar opens the profile, including profile editing, Settings, Quests, and the Shop. - Notifications have a dedicated bell icon. - Shortcuts include: - Long-pressing the You Bar to open the account menu and change online status. - Long-pressing the avatar to open Settings. - Swiping across the You Bar to switch between DMs and the current server. - The redesign also provides modest memory and CPU savings. ## Highlighting User Identity - The You Bar creates a dedicated space for users’ visual identities. - It features a larger avatar, more polished display name and status treatments, and greater prominence for Avatar Decorations and Nameplates. - Discord designed the area to make personal customization more expressive and visible. ## Unifying Mobile and Desktop - Discord’s desktop and mobile apps have developed different visual styles and interaction patterns over time. - The You Bar is part of a broader effort to make Discord feel familiar across devices without simply copying the desktop interface onto mobile. - The company says future mobile improvements will continue to be guided by user feedback. ## Planned Improvements - **Per-server You Bar:** The bar will reflect a user’s unique profile for the active server. - **Server Tags:** Favorite or relevant server tags will appear on the bar. - **Activity indicators:** Users will be able to see activities such as gaming or listening to music. - **Animation controls:** Users will control when animated Avatar Decorations and Nameplates play. - Discord is also reconsidering the profile page as a more dynamic, personalized space rather than a static screen. - The You Bar may support a more familiar desktop-like mobile voice experience for joining and leaving voice channels. Discord recommends viewing the You Bar as the foundation for a simpler, more personalized mobile experience. Its current redesign is only the first step toward deeper profile customization, server-aware identity features, and improved mobile voice interactions.

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discordMay 14, 2026

Celebrate Discord’s 11th Birthday with an Exclusive Set of Emoji and Wallpapers (opens in new tab)

Discord celebrates its 11th birthday by offering the community a free collection of more than 20 Discord-themed emojis, over 20 wallpapers, and a digital poster. The assets are designed for use in servers, profiles, banners, and personal devices, reinforcing Discord’s playful community identity. Users can download the complete asset kit and share the artwork with friends. ## Birthday Asset Collection - The celebration looks back to Discord’s 2015 launch and the gaming culture of that era. - The free downloadable pack includes: - More than 20 custom Discord emojis - More than 20 desktop and mobile wallpapers - A digital poster - The artwork features Discord themes and characters, including Wumpus. ## Ways to Use the Assets - Upload the emojis to a Discord server for members to use. - Set the wallpapers as desktop or mobile backgrounds. - Use the artwork as a profile image or server banner. - Servers that have filled their emoji limits can try the assets in the official Discord Town Hall server. ## Community Participation - Discord links to a beginner’s guide explaining how to upload custom emojis. - Users are encouraged to return to voice chat and show friends the new artwork. - Discord hints that some designs may eventually become physical collectibles through future social media announcements. The main recommendation is to download the free asset kit, add the emojis and wallpapers to personal Discord spaces, and join the Discord Town Hall server if additional access is needed.

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discordMar 24, 2026

Discord Update: March 24, 2026 Changelog (opens in new tab)

Discord’s March 24, 2026 changelog focuses on making desktop gaming and navigation faster and more convenient. New features include improved screen sharing, easier voice invitations, expanded game profiles, and gifting for Marvel Rivals items. Discord also introduced browser-style navigation controls, faster performance, role-member lists, and refreshed settings pages. ### Improvements for Game Nights - Screen shares can now be zoomed and panned with a mouse wheel or trackpad. - Single-window Go Live streams should start faster. - A new **Invite to Voice** option recommends server members and nearby friends for voice chats. - The Game Stats Profile Widget now supports **Wuthering Waves**, displaying information such as achievements and favorite Resonators. - Users can wishlist and gift Marvel Rivals items through the game’s Discord server and Game Shop. ### Faster Desktop Navigation - Behind-the-scenes performance improvements reduce lag when moving around the desktop app. - New **Back** and **Forward** buttons work similarly to browser navigation, including support for compatible mouse buttons. - Clicking an `@Role` mention now shows up to 100 users assigned to that role. - The Desktop Settings redesign continues with updated Notifications, Voice and Video, Clips, and Streamer Mode pages. ### Additional Developer News - Discord also highlighted new opportunities for game developers announced at this year’s Game Developers Conference, directing developers to a separate blog post for details. Overall, the update is aimed at smoother desktop performance, easier navigation, and more features for connecting around games.

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discordDec 14, 2025

Gift Ideas for the Dedicated Discord User in Your Life (opens in new tab)

Discord’s holiday gift guide recommends several ways to surprise dedicated Discord users, from items on their Wishlist to Nitro memberships and Shop cosmetics. The article emphasizes convenient, personalized gifting through Discord, including Marvel Rivals items and profile customization products. It also highlights Nitro gift cards sold through Amazon for recipients who play games across PC, mobile, or console. ## Discord Wishlist Items - Discord’s Wishlist lets users publicly display Shop items they want, including: - Avatar Decorations - Profile Effects - Nameplates - Marvel Rivals costumes and bundles - Friends can purchase Wishlist items without guessing what the recipient would like. - Marvel Rivals cosmetics can be gifted directly through Discord, even if the giver does not play the game. ## Nitro Memberships - Discord Nitro provides benefits such as: - Higher-quality streaming - Access to custom server emojis across Discord - Enhanced chat and profile features - Nitro gifts can be purchased through User Settings > Nitro and stored in a Gift Inventory for later. - A winter 2025 promotion offered gifters one Shop decoration after each Nitro gift, with all three decorations available after three gifts. - The promotion ran from December 12, 2025, through January 6, 2026, and has ended, though Nitro remains available as a gift. ## Discord Shop Profile Customization - The Discord Shop offers Avatar Decorations, Profile Effects, and Nameplates. - Nameplates appear behind a user’s display name in Group DMs and server member lists. - Shop items can be gifted from both desktop and mobile, making them suitable for quick or last-minute presents. ## Nitro Gift Cards on Amazon - For people unfamiliar with gaming or Discord, Nitro gift cards provide a straightforward option. - Digital gift cards are available in terms ranging from one month to one year. - Amazon availability includes the United States, United Kingdom, and selected European Union countries. - Nitro can improve communication for gamers using Discord on computers, phones, and consoles. Overall, the guide recommends checking a friend’s Wishlist first, then considering Nitro or a Discord Shop item based on how they use the platform.

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discordNov 18, 2025

How to Link Discord to Battlefield 6, Marvel Rivals & More (opens in new tab)

Discord is expanding game integrations that let players connect their Discord accounts directly to multiplayer titles. These links can bring Discord friends into in-game friend lists, enable invitations and cross-platform messaging, and display richer game activity as a Discord status. The post explains how to connect Discord with Battlefield 6 and Marvel Rivals, while highlighting several other supported games. ## Discord-powered game features - View Discord friends inside supported games. - Invite friends directly from an in-game friends list. - Send and receive messages between in-game chat and Discord. - Use Rich Presence to show game modes, playtime, squad availability, and other activity details. - Availability and supported platforms may change after publication. ## Linking Discord to Battlefield 6 - Link an EA account to Discord either: - In Battlefield 6 through **EA Connect** / the in-game friends list and the **Connect to Discord** option. - Through the EA website’s **Account Connections** page. - Once connected, a **Discord** section appears in the Battlefield 6 friends list on supported platforms. - Players can invite Discord friends to their party from within Battlefield 6 on PC and supported consoles. - Rich Presence displays details such as the current game mode, session duration, and available squad slots. ## Linking Discord to Marvel Rivals - The integration is available for PC players. - Open the in-game friends list from the top-right of the main menu. - Select the tab marked with the Discord logo, choose **Link Now**, click **Go**, and sign in to Discord. - Connected Discord friends then appear in the Marvel Rivals friends list. - Players can invite friends directly from the game. - Marvel Rivals also supports cross-platform text messaging between its in-game chat and Discord. ## Other games with Discord linking The post lists additional integrations for: - Rust - Pax Dei - SUPERVIVE - Marvel Strike Force - Predecessor - Splitgate 2 Discord also supports voice chat, game streaming on supported platforms, crossplay communication, in-game overlay features, and activity statuses. Players who want a more connected multiplayer experience should link their Discord account through each game’s official account settings, while checking the current documentation because features and platform support may evolve.

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discordAug 26, 2025

Starting Your First Discord Server (opens in new tab)

Discord servers provide a single, organized space for friends to chat, play games, and discuss shared interests instead of splitting conversations across multiple group DMs. The post explains how to create a server, invite friends, and use text and voice channels. Its central recommendation is to create a server when a group needs a persistent, flexible home for communication. ## What a Discord Server Is - A server is an organized online space where friends can gather. - It can support gaming, casual conversation, hobbies, and shared media discussions. - Unlike temporary group DMs, a server keeps everyone and their conversations together. ## Creating a Server - Download Discord from [discord.com/download](https://discord.com/download), use the web app at [discord.com/login](https://discord.com/login), or create an account at [discord.com/register](https://discord.com/register). - Click the circular **+** button on the left side of the app. - Choose a server template, such as **Gaming**, which automatically creates relevant channels. - Give the server a name and optionally choose an icon. - The server name and icon can be changed later. ## Inviting Friends - New servers display an **Invite Your Friends** button. - Invitations can be sent directly to Discord friends or shared as an invite link. - If the button is no longer visible, click the server name and select **Invite People**. - Once shared, the server becomes a central gathering place for the group. ## Text Channels - Text channels work like persistent group chats. - Members can send messages, photos, files, and links. - Typing `@` followed by a username notifies a specific person. - By default, everyone in the server can view and post in a newly created text channel. - Separate channels prevent unrelated conversations from becoming mixed together. ## Voice Channels - Voice channels let members join an ongoing audio conversation without triggering a loud incoming-call ringtone. - Users can enter or leave freely, similar to walking into or out of a room. - Voice channels support unlimited participants for voice-only calls and up to 25 people in video calls. - Members can use cameras, stream games, and share their screens. - Each voice channel also includes a small text space for posting messages, memes, or links relevant to that conversation. A Discord server is a practical upgrade from scattered group chats: create one, customize its channels, and invite friends so conversations and activities can stay organized in one persistent space.

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discordAug 21, 2025

Discord’s Powerful Cross-Platform Chat: Ready for Your Game (opens in new tab)

Discord is moving its Social SDK communication features out of closed beta, allowing games to integrate Discord-powered voice and text chat across desktop, console, and mobile. The SDK is designed to strengthen multiplayer connections, improve player retention, and let users communicate even without Discord accounts. New features such as lobby chat history, custom audio processing, and diagnostics make the integration more practical for developers. ## Social Features for Games - **Unified friends lists** let players access Discord friends in-game and connect with friends made through the game. - **Rich Presence** works across desktop, console, and mobile, displaying gameplay activity and supporting one-click joins. - **Game Invites** help players launch games and enter the correct party or lobby quickly. - **Cross-platform chat** supports communication between desktop, mobile, and console players, including users without Discord accounts. - **Discord Voice Chat** brings Discord’s real-time voice infrastructure into game lobbies, guilds, and matches. - **Linked Channels** connect in-game text lobbies with selected Discord channels. ## New Communication Improvements - **Chat history for active lobbies** allows conversations to persist between play sessions. - **Direct-message history** is planned for a future release. - **Custom effect processing** lets developers route Discord voice audio through middleware such as FMOD or Wwise. - **Audio diagnostics** provide debugging information about issues including echo cancellation and noise reduction. - **Mobile audio improvements** increase audio quality and connection stability. - Updated documentation covers voice chat management, moderation, lobby history, and chat-history design. ## Accessing the SDK - Developers must use the Discord Developer Portal. - The setup process involves selecting a platform, creating a Discord Application, and enabling the Social SDK. - Communication features are included in the initial SDK package. - Usage is rate-limited during testing. ## Approval Requirements Before submitting a game for approval, developers must: - Integrate core features such as account linking, Rich Presence with Discord Joins, and Discord Friends. - Ensure all selected features work end-to-end across both the game and Discord clients. - Handle user denials and other failure states correctly. - Make account linking accessible and clearly explained to players. - Provide supporting materials, including integration captures and a development timeline. - Meet Discord’s age-restricted user protection requirements, which are not fully detailed in the provided text. Developers interested in cross-platform social features can begin with the Social SDK now, using Discord’s documentation and developer community for implementation guidance.

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discordJun 25, 2025

How to Set Up Your Server’s Roles for Members, Mods & Admins (opens in new tab)

Discord recommends organizing server permissions into three tiers: members, moderators, and administrators. Members receive essential communication and activity permissions, moderators get tools to manage conversations and users, and admins receive powerful server-management capabilities. Permissions should be tailored to each community and granted selectively, especially at the administrative level. ## Permissions for Server Members Members need permissions that support ordinary participation: - **General:** View channels, send messages, create public threads, send messages in threads, create invites, and change their own nickname. - **Voice:** Connect, speak, use video for webcams or screen sharing, use external sounds, use voice activity, and set voice-channel statuses. - **Apps:** Use application commands, Activities, and external apps. These permissions enable text chat, voice communication, streaming, games, and app-based interactions. ## Permissions for Moderators Moderators receive tools for keeping discussions and community activity orderly. - **Message and thread management:** Manage messages and threads, including deleting content, pinning messages, and archiving or renaming threads. - **Community management:** Create custom expressions, use broad mentions such as `@everyone`, kick or approve/reject members, ban members, apply timeouts, and manage other users’ nicknames. - **Oversight:** View the audit log to review actions taken on the server. - **Voice moderation:** Use Priority Speaker, mute or deafen members, and move participants between voice channels. - **Events:** Create, edit, manage, and delete community events. Most moderator actions can be reversed, though bans and large-scale mentions require particular care. ## Advanced Permissions for Server Administrators Administrative permissions affect major parts of the server, including messages, emojis, channels, and server settings. - Admin permissions should be enabled only when they are relevant to the community. - They should be assigned to a very limited group of trusted users. - **Manage Server** allows administrators to change core server settings, including the server name. The post’s main recommendation is to use the least amount of access necessary for each role, scaling permissions as the server grows and carefully restricting the most powerful controls.

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discordJun 16, 2025

Gift Nitro and Earn A Flavorful Splash for your Avatar (opens in new tab)

Discord announced a limited-time promotion rewarding users who gift Nitro to friends. From June 13 through June 23, 2025, anyone purchasing a monthly or annual Nitro gift through the desktop app receives the permanent “Freshly Picked” Avatar Decoration. The recipient gets Nitro benefits, while the purchaser gains a summer-themed profile accessory. ## Promotion Details - The offer runs through June 23, extended from the original end date due to popular demand. - Eligible purchases include: - Monthly Nitro gifts - Annual Nitro gifts - Purchases must be made through Discord’s desktop app. - The Avatar Decoration is awarded permanently. ## Benefits for Nitro Recipients Gift recipients gain access to Nitro features such as: - Using custom emoji anywhere on Discord - Higher-quality streaming - Other standard Nitro benefits ## Gift Inventory Option - Gifts can be sent immediately to a friend. - Buyers can also store the Nitro gift in their Gift Inventory and redeem or send it later. Users interested in the promotion should purchase an eligible Nitro gift through Discord’s desktop app before June 23 and consult the Help Center for additional questions.

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discordJun 2, 2025

How to Use the Discord Soundboard & Add More Sounds (opens in new tab)

Discord’s Soundboard lets users play short audio clips during voice calls, with built-in sounds available everywhere they have permission. Users can upload custom MP3 clips to servers, favorite frequently used sounds, adjust playback volume, and—if they have Nitro—use accessible sounds across servers and DMs. Server moderators can also restrict who may use the Soundboard or sounds from outside the server. ## Using the Soundboard - **Desktop:** Join a voice channel or DM call and click the 🎉 button in the voice control bar. - **Mobile:** Join a voice call, swipe up on the call panel, and select **🎉 Soundboard**. - Soundboard access depends on server permissions, but it is also available in direct and group direct calls. - Everyone receives six default sounds: - Quack - Airhorn - Cricket - Golf Clap - Sad Horn - Da Bum Diss ## Adding and Removing Custom Sounds Custom sounds are stored at the server level, similarly to emojis and stickers. - Go to **Server Settings > Soundboard** and select **Upload Sound**. - Uploaded sounds must meet these requirements: - **Format:** `.MP3` - **Maximum size:** 512 KB - **Maximum length:** 5 seconds - **Name:** Describes the spoken phrase or sound - **Related emoji:** A default or custom community emoji - **Volume:** An optional default playback level - The post explains how to add sounds but does not provide further removal instructions in the supplied text. ## Favoriting Sounds Favorites make frequently used clips easier to access. - **Desktop:** Hover over a sound and click the ⭐️ button. - **Mobile:** Long-press a sound and choose **Add to Favorites**. - Favorites appear in a dedicated category at the top of the Soundboard. - Favorites synchronize across platforms. ## Adjusting or Muting Soundboard Volume Users can control how loud Soundboard clips are personally. - Navigate to **User Settings > Voice & Video > Soundboard**. - Use the volume slider to adjust all Soundboard sounds. - Setting the volume to **0%** mutes the audio completely. - Even when muted, associated emojis still appear when others play sounds. ## Nitro Features Discord Nitro provides additional Soundboard capabilities. - Nitro members can use any Soundboard sounds they have access to in other servers and DM calls. - Nitro users can configure a favorite sound to play automatically when joining a server voice channel. - Different entrance sounds can be selected for different servers. ## Moderation and Permissions Large communities may want to limit Soundboard usage. - Server administrators can restrict roles from: - Using sounds from outside the server - Using the Soundboard entirely - These controls are accessed through the server’s role settings. Discord’s Soundboard is designed for quick reactions in voice calls, while its upload, favorite, volume, Nitro, and moderation controls let communities tailor the experience to their needs.

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discordMay 20, 2025

Introducing the Discord for Business Newsletter, Vol. 1 (opens in new tab)

Discord’s first *Discord for Business Newsletter* highlights the company’s expanding advertising, developer, and entertainment initiatives. It reports strong results from Quests, introduces mobile video advertising and the Social SDK, and marks Discord’s tenth anniversary with a new CEO. Overall, Discord is positioning itself as a business platform built around authentic gaming communities and player engagement. ## Quests Advertising Reaches Its First Anniversary - Discord launched its first advertising product, Quests, one year ago. - **Video Quests** deliver branded video content and average more than 80% view-through completion. - **Play Quests** reward users for playing or streaming games, emphasizing active engagement over passive impressions. - More than 70 Quests have launched, generating millions of rewards. - **Mobile Video Quests** will begin a pilot in June 2025, expanding Discord’s advertising reach beyond desktop. ## Discord Social SDK for Game Developers - Announced at GDC 2025, the Social SDK lets developers add Discord-powered features directly to games. - Supported features include: - Friend lists - Game invites - Messaging - Voice chat - The SDK is free and can support players who do not have Discord accounts. - Discord says the tools can improve game discoverability and encourage longer play sessions. - Early users include Theorycraft Games, Facepunch Studios, and Scopely; the SDK is now available to all developers. ## Discord Turns Ten Under New Leadership - Discord now reports more than 200 million monthly active users and over 1.5 billion hours of monthly gaming activity. - Co-founder Jason Citron appointed **Humam Sakhnini** as CEO. - Sakhnini brings more than 15 years of gaming-industry experience, including leadership roles at Activision Blizzard and King Digital Entertainment. - The transition is intended to support Discord’s next stage of growth. ## Partnerships, Press, and New Promotions - Recent coverage has focused on Discord’s mobile advertising plans, Quests, gaming discovery, and its emphasis on authenticity. - Entertainment partnerships include: - A *Mission: Impossible* Quest offering a day of Nitro for completing a puzzle. - A Star Wars collection in the Discord Shop released around May 4. - Discord directs businesses to its Quest success stories and advertising solutions for further examples. Discord’s business strategy centers on rewarding users and integrating brands into existing gaming communities rather than relying solely on conventional ad impressions. Businesses interested in reaching gamers can explore Quests, mobile video campaigns, and Discord’s developer tools.

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discordApr 20, 2025

How to Use Discord’s In-Game Overlay to Talk While Playing on PC (opens in new tab)

Discord’s Windows In-Game Overlay lets players stay connected without alt-tabbing out of their games. It provides access to voice calls, video, chat, screen sharing, streams, notifications, and Activities while playing. The article explains how to use and customize it, plus troubleshooting steps when it does not appear. ## Overlay Features - **Chat Bar:** Provides access to voice and video settings, the soundboard, screen sharing, Activities, and other Discord controls. - **Voice Channel widget:** Shows current call participants and highlights whoever is speaking. - **Video Tiles:** Displays friends’ camera feeds, including Vtuber or PNGtuber models. - **Activity widget:** Shows the game currently associated with your Discord activity status. - **Streams widget:** Displays friends’ live broadcasts so they can be viewed directly in-game. - **Notifications widget:** Shows messages, mentions, and game invites. ## Opening and Customizing the Overlay - Press **Ctrl + `** by default to open the overlay. - Widgets can be repositioned by dragging their dotted borders. - Layouts can be customized to suit different game types, such as FPS or RTS games. ## Streaming Your Game - Click the **screen share** button in the Chat Bar to instantly stream to the current voice channel. - Discord automatically selects suitable streaming quality. - The drop-down menu beside the button allows users to adjust quality and bandwidth usage. ## Watching Friends’ Streams - Streams started in the current voice channel appear in the Overlay’s Streams widget. - Users can click a stream to watch it without leaving the game. - Multiple streams can be viewed directly through the Overlay. - Repositioning the Streams widget changes where broadcasts appear on screen. ## Troubleshooting the Overlay - Confirm that the Overlay is enabled under **User Settings > Overlay**. - Check the per-game settings, since the feature can be disabled for individual games. - Use **windowed** or **borderless windowed** mode; fullscreen games are not supported. - Some games may not be compatible, so test the Overlay with another title if necessary. - The Overlay is available only on **Windows** and does not support macOS or Linux. For Windows players, enabling and customizing the Overlay can make Discord voice chat, streaming, and social interaction available without interrupting gameplay.

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discordMar 30, 2025

Revamped Overlay & Refreshed Desktop Give Game Time a Boost (opens in new tab)

Discord’s March 25, 2025 update focuses on improving PC gaming through a redesigned Game Overlay and a refreshed desktop app. The new Overlay uses movable widgets, performs better, supports more games, and avoids directly hooking into game windows. Desktop users also gain expanded themes, density controls, resizable channel lists, and clearer voice and video controls. ## Redesigned Game Overlay - Rebuilt around individual widgets rather than replicating the full Discord interface. - Adds an action bar for: - Voice and video controls - One-click game streaming - Joining voice calls - Lets users watch friends’ game streams directly within the Overlay. - Widgets can be repositioned to suit different game types, including RTS and FPS games. - Improves performance by avoiding the previous direct game-window hooking approach. - Works with more titles, including more of Discord’s most-played games, while reducing conflicts with anti-cheat systems. ## Refreshed Desktop Customization - Adds four free base themes: - Light - Ash - Dark - Onyx - Introduces three UI density settings: - Spacious - Default - Compact - Makes the channel list resizable, helping users read longer channel names. - Refreshes colors and illustrations throughout the application. - Aims to improve legibility, reduce visual clutter, and create greater consistency between desktop and mobile. ## Improved Voice and Video Controls - Consolidates more call controls into a single, centralized bar. - Uses stronger visual indicators for device status: - A more prominent red glow when the microphone is muted - A green glow when the camera is active Discord says these changes are intended to make desktop gaming more convenient before, during, and after play, particularly since more than 72% of its users regularly game on PC. Users can adjust the new appearance settings through Discord’s support options and provide feedback through the company’s forums or social media.

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discordMar 24, 2025

Announcing Discord’s Social SDK, Helping Power Your Game’s Social Experiences (opens in new tab)

Discord’s Social SDK brings Discord-powered social features directly into games, allowing players to connect whether or not they have Discord accounts. Available at no cost for C++, Unreal Engine, and Unity developers, it supports unified friends, invitations, rich presence, and account linking. Discord says the SDK is designed to improve discovery, retention, and multiplayer communication, with expanded messaging, channels, and voice features available through a closed beta. ## SDK Availability and Purpose - Released on March 17, 2025, during the Game Developers Conference. - Available for: - C++ games - Unreal Engine - Unity - Currently supports Windows 11 and macOS. - Console and mobile support is planned. - Designed to bring Discord’s social infrastructure to games while preserving a seamless player experience. ## Core Social Features - **Unified Friends List** - Players can view Discord friends in-game. - In-game friends can also be surfaced through Discord. - **Deeplink Game Invites** - Players can invite Discord friends directly into a specific party, lobby, or session. - This reduces friction for joining multiplayer games and may improve retention. - **Rich Presence** - Displays a player’s game activity in Discord. - Supports one-click joins from Discord profiles. - Available across PC, console, and mobile. - Helps games gain visibility and attract additional players. - **Flexible Account Requirements** - Players can use the integrated social experience without owning a Discord account. - Optional account linking connects their in-game and Discord identities. - Provisional accounts support players who do not sign up for Discord. ## Closed-Beta Communication Features Several features are available to developers with limited access and can be fully enabled through Discord’s closed beta: - **Cross-Platform Messaging** - Enables conversations between in-game players and Discord users. - Direct messages can persist across both environments. - Discord accounts are not required for every participant. - **Linked Channels** - Connects in-game chat to selected Discord server channels. - Supports persistent communication for guilds, squads, and other groups. - **Discord Voice Chat** - Brings Discord’s voice technology directly into games. - Intended for guilds, matches, and in-game lobbies. ## Early Developer Integrations Discord tested and refined the SDK with developers including Facepunch Studios and Theorycraft Games. - Facepunch Studios reported that the Unity sample made integration straightforward and provided reusable examples for adapting the SDK to *Rust*. - Discord used partner feedback to improve: - Online visibility controls - Provisional-account behavior - Consistency for players without Discord accounts - Theorycraft Games highlighted direct messaging, lobbies, session invites, and provisional accounts as valuable features in *SUPERVIVE*. Game developers can begin using the freely available Social SDK today, while teams seeking cross-platform messaging, linked channels, and integrated voice should apply for the closed beta.

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discordMar 16, 2025

Announcing Discord’s Social SDK, Helping Power Your Game’s Social Experiences (opens in new tab)

Discord has launched the Discord Social SDK, a free toolkit that allows game developers to integrate Discord's social infrastructure directly into their titles to drive player engagement and discovery. The SDK enables features like friends lists and messaging for all players, regardless of whether they have a Discord account, while offering deeper integration for those who choose to link their profiles. By tapping into Discord’s ecosystem of over 200 million monthly active users, the tool aims to help developers overcome discovery challenges in a market where a small number of franchises dominate total playtime. **Solving Discovery Through Social Connectivity** * With 20,000 games launching annually, Discord aims to leverage the fact that 50% of its users discover a new game on the platform every month. * Internal data suggests that playing with at least one friend increases gameplay session lengths sevenfold. * The SDK facilitates "friend-to-friend influence," where 28% of users launch a game within an hour of watching a friend stream it on the platform. **Core SDK Integration Features** * **Unified Friends List:** Synchronizes in-game and Discord friends lists, allowing players to maintain connections both inside and outside the game environment. * **Deep-linked Game Invites:** Enables players to send invites from their in-game list that allow Discord friends to join a specific party, lobby, or session with a single click. * **Rich Presence:** Displays real-time gaming activity on Discord profiles across PC, console, and mobile, serving as a passive discovery tool for a player's social circle. * **Flexible Account Requirements:** Developers can provide a unified social experience to all players without requiring a Discord login, though account linking unlocks more persistent social features. **Advanced Communication Tools in Beta** * **Cross-Platform Messaging:** A closed beta feature that allows players to continue game-related conversations across desktop, console, and mobile devices. * **Linked Channels:** Enables developers to sync in-game chat with specific Discord server channels, providing persistent messaging for guilds and squads. * **Integrated Voice Chat:** Grants developers access to Discord’s proprietary high-quality audio technology to power in-game voice communications. **Technical Specifications and Partnerships** * The SDK is currently available for C++, Unreal Engine, and Unity developers. * Initial support covers Windows 11+ and macOS, with console and mobile support listed as coming soon. * Early adoption partners include major studios such as Theorycraft Games, Facepunch Studios, 1047 Games, and Scopely. By providing these social tools for free, Discord is positioning itself as the foundational social layer for the gaming industry. Developers looking to capitalize on existing social graphs and improve player retention should consider integrating the SDK to bridge the gap between their game and the "digital living rooms" where players already spend their time.

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