How Long Has Discord Been Around?
Discord, the popular communication platform for gamers and communities, has been around for almost a decade. Founded in 2015 by Jason Citron, the company has grown to become one of the most widely used platforms for real-time communication and community building. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of Discord, its milestones, and its evolution over the years.
The Founding of Discord (2015)
Discord was initially conceived as a platform to bridge the gap between console and PC gamers. Citron, a gamer himself, was frustrated with the limitations of existing gaming platforms and wanted to create a more flexible and feature-rich alternative. He drew inspiration from existing platforms like Skype and Slack, but with a focus on real-time voice and text communication.
Early Days (2015-2016)
Discord launched in May 2015, initially as a invite-only beta platform. The early days of Discord were marked by a small but dedicated group of users who helped test and provide feedback on the platform. The community grew rapidly, with the first public beta launch in July 2015. By the end of the year, Discord had attracted over 1 million users.
Main Features and Milestones (2016)
Voice and Video Chat: Discord introduced voice and video chat capabilities in 2016, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations with their communities.
Mobile Apps: Discord released its mobile apps in 2016, enabling users to communicate on-the-go.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Discord partnered with popular gaming companies like Razer and SteelSeries, as well as music streaming services like Spotify and WeChat.
Trivia: Discord’s initial user growth was largely driven by the gaming community, with popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Overwatch attracting millions of users to the platform.
Growing Pains and Challenges (2017-2018)
Growing User Base: Discord’s user base grew exponentially, with over 45 million active users by the end of 2017.
Infrastructure Challenges: As the user base grew, Discord faced challenges related to infrastructure, including scaling issues and increased demand for server resources.
Regulatory Hurdles: Discord encountered regulatory hurdles, particularly in the European Union, regarding issues like data protection and user privacy.
Innovations and Expansions (2019-2020)
Discord Nitro: Discord launched its premium membership program, Discord Nitro, offering exclusive features like larger file upload limits, customizable server icons, and a library of games.
Community Features: Discord introduced features like community servers, which allowed for more nuanced and specialized communities to form.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Discord continued to expand its partnerships, including collaborations with music streaming services like SoundCloud and independent game developers.
Recent Developments (2020-present)
Coronavirus Pandemic: Discord saw a significant surge in user activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with millions of users turning to the platform for remote work, socialization, and community building.
Expansions and Updates: Discord continues to add new features, including improved video conferencing, virtual events, and a revamped mobile app.
Future Outlook
As Discord looks to the future, it’s clear that the company is committed to continued innovation and growth. With a user base of over 150 million, Discord is poised to remain a leading player in the communication and community-building space. [1]
Key Statistics
| Year | Users | Revenue | Partnerships |
| 2015 | 1 million | N/A | – |
| 2016 | 45 million | N/A | Razer, SteelSeries, Spotify, WeChat |
| 2017 | 135 million | N/A | Tencent, Facebook, Activision Blizzard |
| 2020 | 150 million | $100 million | SoundCloud, Riot Games, Epic Games |
Conclusion
Discord’s journey from humble beginnings to mainstream success is a testament to the power of innovation and community building. From its early days as a beta platform to its current status as a global phenomenon, Discord continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of its users. With its commitment to innovation and growth, Discord is poised to remain a major player in the world of communication and community building.
References:
[1] Citron, J. (2020, August 12). Discord’s Journey: 5 Years of Growth and Innovation. Retrieved from https://blog.discord.com/discords-journey-5-years-of-growth-and-innovation-959c55419468
Note: The statistics and features listed are accurate as of the date of publication and may change over time.