Amid speculation regarding a potential IPO, Discord has appointed Humam Sakhnini, the former Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard, as its new CEO. Jason Citron, the co-founder of Discord, is stepping down from his role as CEO after leading the company for thirteen years.
Discord, initially established as a communication platform for online multiplayer gamers, has evolved into a significant social media platform with over 200 million monthly active users. This transition signifies its dual presence in both the gaming and social media sectors.
The decision to bring in a CEO with roots in the gaming industry indicates that Discord is focusing more on its gaming origins. The company has announced a renewed emphasis on its gaming base to investigate monetization opportunities through advertising and micro-transactions.
However, the prospect of incorporating advertising and micro-transactions might cause concern among gamers. The selection of Sakhnini and the upcoming IPO could lead to worries that the company might prioritize a corporate, profit-driven approach. Sakhnini’s previous role as CEO of King, a mobile game developer owned by Activision Blizzard known for games like Candy Crush, which rely heavily on ads and micro-transactions, further supports this concern.
Citron will continue to be involved with Discord, serving as an advisor to the CEO and retaining his position on the board of directors. After his long tenure leading a rapidly-growing startup, Citron is looking forward to taking some personal time. He mentioned in an interview with Venture Beat his intention to play games such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Blue Prince, and Baldur’s Gate III.
