United in Discord with Jason Citron (Discord) | Disrupt SF 2018 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Discord, originally a failed multiplayer game for iPad, pivoted to become a successful voice and text chat platform for gamers with 150 million registered users.

Key Insights

• 👾 Discord's pivot from a failed game to a successful communication platform demonstrates the importance of adapting and recognizing user needs.
• 👊 The company's focus on creating an enjoyable voice and text chat experience for gamers has helped it gain 150 million registered users.
• 👾 Discord's introduction of a game store and subscription service reveals their continuous efforts to enhance the gaming experience for users.
• 👾 By curating games and prioritizing user convenience, Discord aims to compete with existing gaming platforms like Steam.
• 👤 Discord takes a proactive approach to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for users, with strict guidelines for community behavior.
• 🥶 The company recognizes the challenges of balancing free speech while maintaining a respectful and welcoming platform.
• ❓ Discord's success in the gaming industry highlights the significant opportunities and potential growth within the gaming market.

Transcript

well Jason welcome back to TechCrunch Disrupt now I was I was watching some videos earlier and back in 2013 you were on the battlefield stage and you were introducing a new game title yeah so what what were you showing off then yes so back in 2013 we were working on a multiplayer game for iPad it was kind of like League of Legends style game where ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Discord transition from a failed game to a voice and text chat platform?

The founders of Discord realized the communication tools within their game were inadequate, which sparked the idea of creating a better voice and text chat experience for gamers. They made the difficult decision to pivot away from game development and focus on building Discord as a chat platform instead.

Q: How many registered users does Discord currently have?

Discord currently has 150 million registered users, showcasing the platform's success and popularity among gamers.

Q: What new features did Discord recently announce?

Discord has announced the launch of a game store, where users can buy games directly from the platform. They have also introduced a subscription service, offering a flat monthly fee for access to a changing library of games. This subscription model aims to provide value to consumers and potentially impact the game development industry.

Q: How does Discord plan to compete with existing gaming platforms like Steam?

While Steam has a vast library of titles, Discord aims to differentiate itself by curating games and prioritizing user convenience. Their focus on showing games that friends are playing and providing a streamlined purchasing experience sets them apart from the overwhelming content on other platforms.

Summary

In this video, the founder of Discord, Jason Citron, talks about the evolution of his company and its pivot from developing a multiplayer game to creating a voice and text chat platform for gamers. He discusses the challenges faced during the pivot, the success of Discord with its 150 million registered users, and the company's plans to launch a game store and subscription service. He also addresses the responsibility of the company in dealing with controversial content and maintaining a safe environment for users.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the initial game that Discord was working on in 2013?

In 2013, Discord was working on a multiplayer game for iPad, similar to League of Legends, that offered a three versus three team-based multiplayer experience on tablets.

Q: Why did Discord pivot from game development to creating a voice and text chat platform for gamers?

Through the experience of working on the game and reflecting on the tools used for communication in gaming, Discord recognized the need for better voice and text chat tools. They noticed that existing messaging and voice tools, like Skype, were not optimized for modern gaming experiences and decided to create a platform dedicated to providing an amazing voice and text chat experience for multiplayer video game players.

Q: How difficult was the decision to abandon the game development aspect and focus on building Discord?

Deciding to pivot was a challenging experience for both Jason Citron and the entire team. It involved acknowledging that their game was not working and making hard decisions, including laying off a third of the company. However, they recognized the opportunity to build something better by addressing the communication tools used by gamers.

Q: How many registered users does Discord have now?

Discord currently has 150 million registered users.

Q: What new features or services is Discord working on?

Discord is launching a game store where users can not only see what games their friends are playing but also purchase games directly from Discord. Additionally, they are planning to introduce a subscription service for games, similar to Netflix but with downloadable games instead of streaming.

Q: What is Discord's approach to competing with existing gaming subscription services?

Discord aims to differentiate itself by offering a unique selection of games. While they will have games available from other stores, they will also have some exclusive titles for short time windows. Their subscription service will primarily include great games that users may have missed in the past, offering them at a more affordable price.

Q: How does Discord plan to ensure the success of its game store and subscription service?

Discord expects that the convenience of being able to purchase games easily and see what games their friends are playing will naturally drive users to utilize these features. They plan to tastefully and tactfully suggest content to users based on their friends' activities within the platform.

Q: How does Discord see itself in relation to other gaming subscription services?

Discord intends to be the first major gaming business to offer a subscription service. While other subscription services exist, they primarily focus on streaming games, whereas Discord's subscription service will allow users to download games for a flat monthly fee. Additionally, Discord aims to bring value to both gamers and developers, potentially impacting game development in a positive way.

Q: Can Discord uphold its commitment to keeping the core product free while aiming to grow a huge business?

Yes, Discord believes that the games industry, being a billion-dollar business, provides an opportunity for them to add value to gamers' lives and generate revenue through games commerce, such as selling games and content. People who enjoy playing games are also willing to spend money on them, which can contribute to Discord's growth. They see the potential for developers to benefit from a subscription service model as well.

Q: Is the game store necessary for Discord's growth, and how does Discord plan to compete with established stores like Steam?

While the game store is intended to enhance growth, Discord's primary focus remains on their core messaging product. They believe that the game store, offering a curated selection of games, will provide a more convenient and less overwhelming experience for users compared to larger stores like Steam. By making it easier for users to purchase games, Discord expects to attract more users to their platform, which in turn makes it more attractive for developers to showcase their content.

Q: How does Discord approach the responsibility of moderating content and dealing with controversial discussions, particularly in large public communities?

Discord has always been clear that their platform is meant for individuals to spend time with friends and people they care about. Content that goes against their established community guidelines is not acceptable, and the trust and safety team actively works to ensure a safe environment. In public communities, like the Fortnite server, clear guidelines for behavior are set, and moderators take action against any undesirable conversations. Discord believes that taking responsibility for maintaining a safe platform is important, regardless of the complexities involved.

Q: Does Discord feel a heightened sense of responsibility in dealing with issues of inclusion and toxic behavior prevalent in the gaming community?

As a technology company with a large user base, Discord feels a responsibility to do the right thing. They have a clear stance against inappropriate behavior, and if it gets reported, actions are taken. While other companies may have struggled with this issue, Discord's approach has always been straightforward and proactive. They prioritize creating a safe environment and do not tolerate racism, sexism, or any form of harassment.

Q: How does Discord ensure the balance between user privacy and moderating controversial content?

Discord's design differs from social media platforms as most conversations occur within small private group chats. Users have control over the content they see, and leaving or removing oneself from undesirable conversations is easily done. In larger public communities, moderation is in place to maintain the guidelines set for those communities. Discord's focus is on providing a safe space for users rather than monitoring user messages.

Q: Is there a possibility for Discord to ease the challenges around controversial content moderation, or will it remain an ongoing struggle?

Discord acknowledges that this issue is one of the biggest discussion points in the technology industry at the moment. However, they don't expect a simple solution, such as end-to-end encryption, to address all the complexities involved. Discord maintains clear guidelines and actively ensures a safe platform, even in the face of controversies. They believe that openly dealing with these challenges is crucial and that their platform's design and the proactive approach of the trust and safety team contribute to maintaining a safe environment.

Takeaways

Discord's evolution from game development to becoming a popular voice and text chat platform for gamers has been driven by recognizing the need for better communication tools. Its successful pivot and growth to 150 million registered users have paved the way for the company to launch a game store and subscription service. The introduction of these features aims to enhance the gaming experience on Discord and provide new opportunities for developers to showcase their games. Discord maintains a clear stance against inappropriate behavior and strives to create a safe environment for its users, tackling the challenges associated with moderating controversial content head-on.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Back in 2013, the founders of Discord were working on a multiplayer game for iPad but noticed that the communication tools within the game were lacking, which led to the idea of building a better voice and text chat experience for gamers.

• Discord's pivot from game development to creating a chat platform was a challenging decision, resulting in laying off a third of the company. However, it ultimately led to the company's success.

• Discord now has 150 million registered users and has recently announced the launch of a game store and a subscription service, aiming to provide a convenient and value-driven gaming experience.