Discord | Techlist.io

discordFeb 26, 2025Original article

How Discord Seamlessly Upgraded Millions of Users to 64-Bit Architecture (opens in new tab)

Discord is transitioning its Windows desktop application from a 32-bit to a 64-bit architecture to improve performance and long-term stability. While the 32-bit version originally allowed for universal compatibility across diverse hardware with a single build, the growing demands of the application frequently push against 32-bit memory limits. By migrating to 64-bit, Discord ensures it can leverage modern hardware more effectively and remain compatible with the evolving ecosystem of its underlying software libraries. ### Initial Strategy and Compatibility * Discord originally launched as a web app in 2015 before moving to the desktop using the Electron web wrapper. * The decision to build a 32-bit executable for Windows was based on portability, as it allowed the app to run on both 32-bit and 64-bit processors through Microsoft's backwards compatibility layers. * Using a single 32-bit version simplified development during the application’s early stages while ensuring it worked on the widest possible range of machines. ### Memory Addressing Challenges * While 32-bit applications generally use less memory than their 64-bit counterparts, they are subject to a hard restriction on total memory usage. * Even when running on a 64-bit machine, Discord has encountered these architectural limits, leading to performance errors and application crashes. * Moving to a 64-bit architecture is the industry-standard solution for overcoming these memory bottlenecks and providing a more stable environment for resource-intensive features like the In-Game Overlay. ### Ecosystem and Future-Proofing * Discord is built on various core libraries, including Electron and WebRTC, which have transitioned to 64-bit as their default architecture. * As 64-bit becomes the global standard, 32-bit versions of these libraries receive fewer refinements, bug fixes, and security updates. * Staying on 32-bit would expose users to potential inefficiencies and unaddressed bugs as the community of developers maintaining 32-bit dependencies continues to shrink. Adopting 64-bit architecture allows Discord to align with modern development standards, ensuring the application remains resilient and performant as its foundational technologies continue to advance.

Electron Windows Webrtc Memory Management+3

discordFeb 26, 20253 min readCurated summary

Discord Patch Notes: October 1, 2024

Discord’s October 1, 2024 patch focuses on mobile performance, storage efficiency, usability improvements, and broad bug fixes. Android users should see smoother chat rendering and lower resource usage, while iOS users may benefit from substantially reduced data storage. The update also introduces desktop Soundboard improvements, macOS screen-sharing refinements, and Animated WebP support. ## Mobile Performance and Storage - Android chat rendering improvements reduced slow frames by up to 60%, depending on the device. - Android chat-list memory usage fell by approximately 12%, making scrolling through message histories smoother. - Mobile server-list virtualization keeps only visible servers loaded: - Memory usage improved by 14% for users in many servers. - CPU usage improved by 25%. - Mobile unread indicators now consistently appear above the correct message, even with many unread messages. - iOS data-store changes reduced storage usage for the most affected 1% of users from 5.7 GB to 1.7 GB. - Fixed iOS message search results beyond the first page and crashes involving certain NFC hardware keys. - Resolved tablet orientation-detection issues and several Android problems involving read states and mobile keyboards. ## New Features and Interface Updates - macOS screen-sharing startup now has a more consistent and streamlined interface. - Desktop received a redesigned Soundboard interface for easier sound navigation and interaction. - Web and desktop clients can now play Animated WebP attachments, offering smoother playback and potentially lower bandwidth usage. - Electron was upgraded to version 32, with expected incremental performance and crash-reduction benefits. - Pasting a URL over an existing link now properly replaces the original URL instead of creating unexpected Markdown behavior. - Activity Status now correctly displays PS5 games. - The green acceptance check mark has returned to friend-request notifications. ## Interface and Navigation Fixes - Corrected visual issues involving emoji pickers, GIF categories, profile status bubbles, avatar decorations, fonts, borders, and themed search filters. - Fixed navigation problems in GIF categories, the Shop, Friends UI, mutual-friend lists, and profile popouts. - Improved accessibility and navigation indicators so they are no longer cut off in several profile and list views. - Corrected layout issues in Student Hub, channel settings, server settings, Notification Center, and message requests. - Fixed Quests links, Server Guide icons, role expansion behavior, and the display of permission descriptions on mobile. - Restored functionality for the Toggle Overlay hotkey after switching applications with Alt-Tab. - Corrected several modal and popup layering issues, including stickers, Soundboard uploads, and quest cards. ## Reliability and Content Fixes - Fixed crashes when viewing deleted channels in Audit Log with ModView open. - Corrected poll countdown text as polls approach closure. - Member verification and rules-agreement indicators now reflect the correct state. - Fixed incorrect game-presence names appearing in Japanese. - Resolved issues with rate-limited or frozen GIF categories. - Corrected timeout duration display in moderation views. - Fixed profile customizations failing to load on the first Shop attempt. ## Chat Improvements - Fixed mobile chat layout issues, including the missing “Jump to Bottom” button and overlapping composer elements. - Android web embeds now scale correctly instead of cutting off image content. - Corrected message-height calculations and action-sheet handle placement. - Prevented Avatar Decorations from being clipped at the top of chat. Discord’s update is primarily a reliability and performance release. Users—especially those on Android, iOS, or with many servers—should benefit from smoother navigation, lower resource consumption, and fewer interface defects as the changes roll out across platforms.

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Android iOS Markdown Macos+4

discordFeb 26, 20252 min readCurated summary

How to Play Games, Listen to Music, and Improve Your Discord Server with Apps & Activities

Discord’s Apps and Activities expand chats beyond messaging, offering games, music, collaboration tools, moderation features, and utilities on desktop and mobile. Users can discover them through the App Launcher or App Directory, add apps to servers or their personal accounts, and access saved apps through slash commands. Availability depends on server permissions and moderation settings. ## Discovering Apps and Activities - The **App Launcher** is available in text-chat bars and at the bottom of voice calls. - It provides: - Featured apps - Search for specific apps - Activities for games and shared experiences - Apps for servers and direct messages - The **App Directory** offers a larger catalog, including apps designed specifically for server communities. - Users can open it by selecting a server’s name and choosing **“App Directory.”** ## Adding Apps to a Server - Select **“Add App”** from the App Directory or an app’s profile. - Server apps can provide: - Additional moderation support - Reaction roles, allowing members to assign themselves roles by reacting to messages - Text-based games such as farming or fishing - Utilities such as on-demand cat-image commands - Discord also recommends considering built-in **Community server features** for moderation and reaction roles. ## Using Apps in Any Chat - Apps are no longer limited to server-based bots. - Users can select **“Add to My Apps”** and approve the required account permissions. - Personal apps then appear in the App Launcher and can be used across chats. - Pressing `/` opens the slash-command interface, where users can browse saved apps or enter their commands. ## Server Permissions and Restrictions - Some servers prevent members from launching apps that have not been approved or added by the server’s moderation team. - If an app or Activity cannot be used, users should check whether they have the **External Apps** and **Activities** permissions enabled. - Server-specific roles and moderation policies may still restrict access. Discord’s App Launcher and App Directory make it easy to find tools and shared activities, while personal app support allows users to use selected apps across conversations. Before adding an app, users should review its permissions and confirm that the server permits external apps or Activities.

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Discord Slash Commands Discord Bots Discord Apps+3

discordFeb 26, 20253 min readCurated summary

Mental Health & Discord: Promoting Well-Being All Year Long

Discord’s Mental Health team describes its efforts to make the platform safer, more user-controlled, and better connected to mental-health support. The company highlights new research, crisis-resource partnerships, and initiatives exploring how gaming can support social connection and well-being. It concludes that Discord intends to use these findings to improve product design, policies, and partnerships. ## Discord’s Approach to Well-Being - Discord aims to provide a safe, welcoming place for people to connect around shared interests and gaming. - The platform emphasizes user control, allowing people to choose who they interact with and which communities they join. - Discord says it is not designed primarily to maximize engagement, but to support real-time interaction among friends. - The company plans to continue refining its products and safety efforts to better support users. ## Research on Users’ Mental Health - Over five months, Discord worked with research organization BSG to study users’ mental-health perceptions and the platform features that affect well-being. - The research included more than 1,200 participants aged 13 and older in the United States, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. - Participants generally viewed online gaming and social media as distinct, with gaming considered more positive for mental health. - Online gaming was the most frequently selected activity for supporting well-being, followed by exercise, in-person relationships, creative activities, and online connections with family and friends. - Users identified moderators, blocking, muting, and reporting as Discord features that support their mental health. - Participants expressed interest in more proactive mental-health tools and believed Discord cares about user well-being, while also acknowledging that more work is needed. - Discord intends to apply the findings to its policies, product development, and future partnerships. ## Crisis and Mental-Health Resources - Discord partnered with ThroughLine Care, a global network of vetted helplines. - At **discord.findahelpline.com**, users can find free, confidential support in more than 100 countries. - The directory supports chat, text, and phone services in 11 languages and provides topic filters, operating hours, and contact details. - In the United States, users can text **DISCORD** to **741741** to reach Crisis Text Line, a free, confidential, 24/7 service available in English and Spanish. - Discord defines a crisis broadly to include stress, anxiety, school difficulties, relationship problems, and other situations—not only life-threatening emergencies. ## Gaming and Mental Health - Discord cites industry research suggesting that gaming can improve mood, foster community, provide healthy outlets, and help people through difficult periods. - The company sponsored Safe In Our World’s inaugural Mental Health Game Dev Champions event. - The event supports developers and gamers creating personal games based on lived experiences with mental health. - Discord planned to host a master class on building healthy communities in Safe In Our World’s Discord server on October 17, 2024. - The post also highlights Hero Journey Club, which uses games such as *Stardew Valley*, *Animal Crossing*, and *Final Fantasy* to facilitate emotional support and track feelings. - Discord partnered with Xbox Game Studios’ *Gears of War* on the “Never Fight Alone” suicide-prevention initiative, raising funds for Crisis Text Line and Aqui Estoy Chat. Discord’s overall recommendation is to treat gaming communities as potential sources of connection while continuing to provide accessible, confidential professional support. Its research and partnerships are intended to make mental-health assistance a more integrated part of the Discord experience.

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Discord Gaming Content Moderation Online Communities+2

discordFeb 26, 20252 min readCurated summary

How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts on Discord & Create Custom Keybinds

Discord’s keyboard shortcuts let users manage messages, voice calls, and navigation without relying on a mouse. The desktop app supports several global shortcuts, while custom keybinds allow users to tailor controls to their hardware and habits. The post also highlights the Quick Switcher as a fast way to jump between servers, channels, and direct messages. ## Text Chat Shortcuts - **Ctrl/Cmd + E** opens the Emoji Picker. - **Ctrl/Cmd + S** opens the Sticker Picker. - **Ctrl/Cmd + G** opens the GIF Picker. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + U** attaches a file. - Press **Tab**, use the arrow keys to select a message, then: - **E** or **Up Arrow** edits the last message. - **+** adds a reaction. - **Backspace** deletes the message. - **R** replies. - **P** pins it. - **F** forwards it. - Pressing **Up Arrow** directly edits the last message sent. ## Voice and Video Shortcuts Some voice controls work even when Discord is running in the background on the desktop app. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + M** toggles mute. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + D** toggles deafen. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Return** answers an incoming call. - **Esc** declines a call. - **Ctrl + ’** calls the currently viewed DM. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Alt/Option + V** returns to an active voice call. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + B** opens the Soundboard. ## Custom Keybinds Custom shortcuts are available under **User Settings > Keybinds** and cover voice features as well as navigation. - Toggle actions include mute, deafen, Voice Activity Detection, Streamer Mode, forward/back navigation, switching to the current voice channel, and disconnecting. - Hold-based actions include Push to Talk, Push to Mute, and Priority Push to Talk. - Priority Push to Talk lowers other participants’ volume while speaking. - Custom keybinds are especially useful for users with unusual or compact keyboards. ## Quick Switcher - Press **Ctrl/Cmd + K** to open the Quick Switcher. - Search across accessible servers, channels, DMs, and friends. - This provides rapid keyboard-based navigation without manually browsing Discord’s sidebar. Discord’s built-in shortcuts and customizable keybinds can make messaging, calls, and navigation significantly faster. Users should start with mute, deafen, Push to Talk, and Quick Switcher controls, then customize further based on their workflow.

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Discord Desktop App Voice Chat Keyboard Shortcuts+2

discordFeb 26, 20253 min readCurated summary

How to Navigate Discord Using Only Your Keyboard

Discord’s Keyboard Navigation feature lets users browse the app, activate controls, manage messages, switch conversations, and control calls without a mouse or trackpad. Tab highlights interactive elements, Enter activates them, and arrow keys move through lists. The article also explains keyboard-based drag-and-drop for organizing servers and channels. ## Navigating Discord’s Interface - Press **Tab** to display the keyboard focus indicator and move through buttons, icons, and other interactive elements. - Press **Enter/Return** to activate the highlighted control. - Use the **Arrow Keys** to move through lists such as direct messages, servers, and channels. - Press **Esc** to move focus to the chat input; if a menu or modal is open, it closes that first. ## Managing Messages After highlighting a message, users can perform common message actions: - **E** or **Up**: Edit the last message. - **+**: Add a reaction. - **Backspace**: Delete the message. - **R**: Reply. - **P**: Pin. - **F**: Forward. - **Alt/Option + Enter/Return**: Mark as unread. ## Switching Between Servers, Channels, and DMs - **Ctrl/Cmd + Option + Up/Down**: Move through the server list. - **Option + Up/Down**: Move through channels or DMs. - **Option + Shift + Up/Down**: Browse unread channels or DMs. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Option + Up/Down**: Browse unread conversations containing mentions. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Option + Right**: Switch between the last viewed server and the DM tab. - **Shift + Page Up**: Jump to the oldest unread message in a text channel. ## Controlling Voice and Video Calls Before or during calls, keyboard shortcuts provide quick access to call functions: - **Ctrl + `**: Start a call in the current personal or group DM. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Enter/Return**: Answer an incoming direct call. - **Esc**: Decline an incoming direct call. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + M**: Mute. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + D**: Deafen, muting both the microphone and call audio. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Alt/Option + V**: Return to the current call view. - There is no built-in shortcut for disconnecting from a voice channel, but users can create a custom keybind. ## Keyboard-Based Drag and Drop Discord also supports using the keyboard to reorganize certain items, including servers and channels the user owns or is allowed to move. - Highlight the server or channel with Keyboard Navigation. - Press **Ctrl/Cmd + D** to pick it up. - Use the **Arrow Keys** to move it. - Press **Enter** to drop it in the desired location. Keyboard Navigation provides a practical mouse-free way to manage Discord, especially for users who prefer keyboard input or need improved accessibility. Learning the core focus, movement, and shortcut commands—and creating custom keybinds where necessary—can make everyday navigation significantly faster.

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Discord Accessibility Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard Navigation+1

discordFeb 26, 20252 min readCurated summary

September Staff Picks: Mid-Travel Pitstop

Discord’s September Staff Picks highlights employees’ favorite recent releases and reliable travel games. Their choices range from major titles like *Astro Bot*, *Space Marine 2*, and *Black Myth: Wukong* to portable strategy, puzzle, cozy, and indie games. Across the interviews, the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck emerge as ideal companions for long journeys. ## Recent Games Getting Attention - **Astro Bot** impressed Armando with its creative level design, joyful presentation, and resemblance to the best moments of *Super Mario Galaxy*. - He completed the platinum trophy in one weekend and considers it a strong Game of the Year contender. - **Into the Breach** offers tense, turn-based strategy that feels like a combination of mini-chess and a roguelite. - Its portable format makes it especially well suited to the Nintendo Switch. - **Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2** has been a favorite for Tracie, who enjoys battling Tyranids with friends in the campaign and Operation Missions. - Character customization lets her represent the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter. - Matt has been playing a wide range of new releases, including: - *Black Myth: Wukong* - *Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2* - *Satisfactory 1.0* - *Astro Bot* - *Inscryption* - *Inscryption* stands out as another staff favorite, combining card-game mechanics with a distinctive and absorbing presentation. ## Reliable Games for Travel - Armando frequently travels with his Switch and returns to games that remain enjoyable after many hours: - *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* - *Dead Cells* - *Balatro* - He also recommends mobile puzzle games, especially *2048*, which is available on some airplane seat-back screens. - Tracie prefers comforting games during stressful travel, particularly: - *Stardew Valley* - *Pokémon Scarlet/Violet* - She notes that *Stardew Valley*’s 1.6 update was announced for consoles in November. - Matt plans to use his Steam Deck during a flight to Japan, with a large backlog including: - *Inscryption* - *Dome Keeper* - *Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor* - *Final Fantasy VI* - *Dead Cells* - *Nine Sols* - *ANIMAL WELL* - *Melatonin* - *Fallout 4* The staff’s recommendations suggest that the best travel games are portable, replayable, and easy to enjoy in short sessions. A Switch or Steam Deck stocked with a mix of cozy games, roguelites, strategy titles, and puzzle games can make long flights and other journeys much more enjoyable.

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Video Games Steam Deck Playstation Nintendo Switch+3

discordFeb 26, 20252 min readCurated summary

Set Out for a Discord Adventure! Check Out Our Roll20 Adventure & D&D Shop Collection

Discord celebrates Dungeons & Dragons’ 50th anniversary with two new offerings: a free, Discord-themed Roll20 adventure and a D&D-inspired Shop collection. The one-shot adventure, *Voyage Into Discord*, is designed for beginners and experienced players and can be launched directly through Discord’s App Launcher. Players can also customize their profiles with D&D-themed Avatar Decorations and Profile Effects. ## *Voyage Into Discord* One-Shot Adventure - A Halloween-themed, Discord-inspired tabletop adventure created for D&D players. - Designed to be completed in a single sitting, making it suitable for: - New players learning the game. - Experienced players introducing friends to D&D. - Groups looking for a shorter campaign. - Hosted through Roll20, eliminating the need for: - Physical maps and miniatures. - Painted terrain. - Extensive preparation from the Dungeon Master. - Available for free in Discord: - Open the App Launcher. - Launch the Roll20 Activity. - Select the “Voyage Into Discord” campaign. ## Dungeons & Dragons Shop Collection - Discord released a collection commemorating D&D’s 50th anniversary. - The collection includes: - Seven Avatar Decorations. - Four Profile Effects. - Designs feature recognizable D&D creatures, including: - Mimics. - Owlbears. - Gelatinous Cubes. - A special D20 Profile Effect randomly displays either a natural 20 or a natural 1 when someone views the user’s profile. ## Getting Started - The D&D collection is available immediately in the Discord Shop. - Users can launch the Roll20 adventure directly through Discord’s App Launcher. - Discord also provides guides for learning about the Shop and App Launcher, along with support resources for assistance. Together, these features let players celebrate D&D both through a playable digital adventure and through themed Discord profile customizations.

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Discord Roll20 Dungeons And Dragons Tabletop Gaming+1

discordFeb 26, 20253 min readCurated summary

Discord Patch Notes: November 1, 2024

Discord’s November 1, 2024 patch focuses on improving performance, reliability, responsiveness, and cross-device usability. Major updates include stronger foldable-device support, better mobile multitasking and side-by-side views, macOS screen-sharing keybinds, and website performance gains of up to four seconds in average page-load time. The release also fixes a broad range of interface, messaging, theming, and platform-specific bugs. ## Foldable Devices and Multitasking - Foldable devices receive improved support designed to work more reliably without bespoke fixes. - Mobile Discord now handles resizing more intelligently for Sidecar, split-screen, and other multitasking layouts. - Users are encouraged to report remaining foldable-device issues through Discord’s bug megathread or support tickets. ## Desktop and Web Performance - Electron was upgraded from version 30 to version 32 on Windows, macOS, and Linux. - Discord.com received performance improvements that reduce average page-load times by up to four seconds. - Additional core web vitals and responsiveness were improved. - macOS 15 and later now support a keybind for toggling screen sharing, available under **User Settings > Keybinds**. - Friend links opened in a browser now properly communicate with the running desktop client. ## General Interface and Platform Fixes - Fixed missing profile-screen actions, incorrect profile banner zoom, navigation-bar rendering issues, and mobile layout shifts. - Corrected avatar decoration overlap with unread-message status indicators. - Fixed notification bubble shapes, emoji-picker category navigation, theme colors, keybinding icon colors, and long category-name handling. - Improved profile banners and Server Guide text rendering on foldable devices and iOS. - Fixed issues involving onboarding prompts, the App Launcher, Mod View, channel permissions, and role assignment through Simplified Profiles. - Corrected Shop problems involving banners, scrolling, collection tile shapes, and app-button icon colors. - Poll answers can now be selected and copied. - Fixed overlay custom-emoji visibility, profile-effect controls, Nitro gifting padding, and collectible purchase wording. - X.com embeds no longer incorrectly interpret embed content as Markdown. - Fixed several mobile and desktop rendering problems, including channel settings flashes, emoji alignment, and profile layout behavior. ## Chat and Messaging - Corrected oversized emoji rendering in chat. - Fixed mobile Voice Message tooltips, input placement, and animation behavior. - Deleted messages should no longer briefly remain in mobile DM previews. - Fixed an iOS issue where drafts persisted between channels and another where text scaling changed after the keyboard collapsed. - Users can open profiles by clicking names in reply previews. - Prevented rapidly renaming a newly created thread from creating duplicate threads. - Fixed thread-creation theming issues and swipe actions during chat animations. - Corrected mobile notification settings appearing incorrectly in DMs. - Fixed iOS emoji alignment problems in messages. Overall, the patch is primarily a quality-of-life release: users should see better performance across web and mobile, more dependable support for foldables and multitasking, and fewer visual and interaction bugs.

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Android iOS Performance Optimization Linux+4

discordFeb 26, 20252 min readCurated summary

Discord Update: December 19, 2024 Changelog

Discord’s December 19, 2024 changelog recaps the year’s most useful performance and reliability improvements through a festive poem. The updates focused on making mobile apps more stable and responsive, speeding up servers, GIFs, chat, and APIs, and improving image quality and storage usage. Discord concludes by encouraging users to join voice, play games, or Go Live, while promoting Nitro gifting. ## Mobile Stability and Performance - iOS crash fixes reduced the overall crash rate by **84%**. - Android’s chat renderer reduced slow frames by up to **60%** and lowered chat-list memory usage by about **12%**. - The Android Expression Picker—covering emojis, GIFs, and stickers—saw up to **50% fewer dropped frames** and approximately **7.5% lower memory usage**. - Foldable-device support and multitasking were significantly improved. - Mobile server lists were virtualized so only visible servers remain loaded, improving scrolling performance. - Server switching on Android and iOS became more than **30% faster**. - Mobile GIF Picker loading times improved by up to **80%**. ## Backend and Media Improvements - Infrastructure changes, including moving to Google Cloud C3 instances and removing an Nginx layer, reduced p90+ API latency by roughly **25%**. - Discord’s media proxy now preserves ICC color-profile data when resizing images into WebP, improving color accuracy across platforms. - iOS data-storage changes reduced disk usage substantially; the most affected 1% of users went from approximately **5.7 GB to 1.7 GB**, with some users recovering up to **4 GB**. ## Seasonal Extras - The recap is presented as a “Fixmas” poem summarizing fixes from Discord’s 2024 Patch Notes. - Users who gift Nitro during the promotion also receive an Avatar Decoration. Together, these changes show Discord’s emphasis on incremental improvements that make everyday communication faster, more reliable, and less demanding on mobile devices.

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Android iOS API Performance Optimization+4

discordFeb 26, 2025Original article

Discord Update: September 26, 2024 Changelog (opens in new tab)

Discord’s September 2024 update centers on transforming the platform into a more interactive entertainment hub while significantly hardening its security infrastructure. By centralizing third-party integrations through a new App Launcher and implementing end-to-end encryption for audio and video, the platform aims to balance expanded developer functionality with robust user privacy. ### The App Launcher and Interactive Activities * The newly launched App Launcher is now available across desktop and mobile, allowing users to search, browse curated collections, and add thousands of apps directly to their accounts for use in chats and voice calls. * Four new Activities have been integrated: *Arena Kingdoms* for cross-server battles, *Echo Chess* for daily puzzles, the Viking-themed *Battletabs*, and the social-focused *Magic Circle*. * New image-editing capabilities allow users to hover over chat images to access the App Launcher for quick modifications, such as adding captions or using Viggle’s “Animate” command to generate motion from static photos. * The developer ecosystem has been expanded to allow third parties to build, launch, and monetize their own Activities, with options to opt-in to platform-wide discovery via the launcher. ### Security and Privacy Enhancements * End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) is being introduced for all audio and video communication, including DMs, Group DMs, voice channels, and Go Live streams, ensuring that stream data is accessible only to participants. * Support for Passkeys has been implemented, allowing users to replace traditional passwords with biometric authentication such as Face ID or Touch ID. * Passkey technology remains localized to the user's device, ensuring that Discord does not have access to sensitive biometric data. ### Platform Performance and Community Resources * Discord’s engineering team reported a significant performance milestone, reducing iOS application crashes by 84%. * The "Discord Dojo" initiative has launched to provide educational content, including videos and blogs focused on message formatting and advanced keybinds for power users. * A new partnership with *Street Fighter 6* introduces themed shop items and a specific Quest that rewards users with a "Battle Field" decoration for their profiles. To maintain the highest level of account safety, users should consider migrating to Passkeys and verifying the encryption status during their next voice or video call. For those looking to increase engagement within their servers, the App Launcher provides a low-friction way to introduce collaborative games and media tools directly into existing conversations.

iOS Performance Optimization End To End Encryption Passkeys+3

discordFeb 26, 20252 min readCurated summary

Checkpoint Reached: New Updates on our Quest to Connect More Game Developers with Players

Discord reports early success for Quests, its advertising format that rewards players for discovering and playing games. Campaigns involving titles such as Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and World of Warcraft produced a 16% increase in average playtime and a 9% increase in average player counts. Building on these results, Discord is piloting Video Quests to help developers promote trailers, launches, seasons, and other content. ## Quests Are Increasing Gameplay - Millions of players have completed Quests since the program launched. - Genshin Impact’s first Quest generated: - An 80% increase in gameplay hours. - A threefold increase in friend-to-friend game streams. - World of Warcraft: The War Within Quest attracted more than one million participants and contributed to a 63% increase in the number of people playing the game on Discord. - Krunker Strike’s Quest reached largely new or returning players: 90% of participants from Discord Activities were new or lapsed users. - Krunker Strike saw a 33% increase in player count during launch week. - Developers have requested more tools for promoting upcoming games, new seasons, DLC, and major content releases. ## Introducing Video Quests - Video Quests are a new pilot format designed to promote game-related video content. - Developers can feature: - Trailers. - Gameplay reveals. - Season launches. - Other development and marketing announcements. - Videos appear through Discord’s Quest Bar and can be watched without significantly interrupting the user’s Discord experience. - Players choose when and how to engage, while still earning rewards for completing the Quest. - Discord is initially testing Video Quests with a limited group of developers. ## Discord’s Broader Gaming Strategy - Discord aims to become an important platform for discovering, building, and launching games. - The company says its advertising products will prioritize both developer results and the player experience. - Discord plans to refine Quests based on feedback from players and developers and will share more information as the Video Quest pilot expands. Discord’s early data suggests Quests can drive meaningful engagement and attract lapsed or new players. Developers interested in promoting game releases or video content should monitor the Video Quest rollout and consider joining Discord’s pilot updates.

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Discord Game Development Live Streaming Video Quests+2

discordFeb 26, 2025Original article

Discord Update: November 18, 2024 Changelog (opens in new tab)

Discord’s November 2024 update introduces a major cosmetic collaboration with the series *Arcane* alongside several practical tools designed to simplify content sharing and profile management. These changes emphasize a more integrated media experience, allowing users to interact with external content and their own gaming data more fluidly within the app. **Arcane Collaboration and Shop Items** * A limited-edition *Arcane* collection has been added to the Shop to mark the show's final season. * New Avatar Decorations and Profile Effects feature characters such as Jinx, Vi, and Ekko, as well as themed weapons and technology. * The collection is a temporary release available for users to customize their visual presence across servers. **Streamlined Sharing and Media Integration** * A native "Forward" button has been introduced, allowing users to share messages directly to other conversations without needing to take and store manual screenshots. * TikTok embeds can now be played directly within the desktop client, eliminating the need to open an external browser or application. * The emoji reaction picker now suggests a user’s top three most-used emojis to facilitate faster communication. **Profile Features and Social Activities** * Desktop profiles now display a list of recently played games to friends and community members. * New privacy controls allow users to manually clear specific games from their play history if they do not want them visible. * "Quiz Planet" has been added to the Activity Directory, providing a new trivia-based interactive experience for users in voice channels. **Mobile Performance and Multitasking** * The mobile application has received optimizations for fluid resizing, specifically targeting users who utilize split-screen or multitasking modes on phones and tablets. * General performance patches have been implemented to improve the stability of the interface when switching between Discord and other resource-heavy apps. To maintain privacy, users should review their new gaming history section on desktop and clear any entries they prefer not to share. Additionally, users interested in the *Arcane* cosmetics should visit the Shop soon, as the collection is designated as a final celebration for the series.

User Experience Discord Responsive Design Mobile App Development+4

discordFeb 26, 20251 min readCurated summary

Celebrate Arcane’s Second Season with a new Shop Collection

Discord announced a limited-time Shop collection celebrating the second and final season of *Arcane*. The collection lets fans customize their profiles with Avatar Decorations and Profile Effects inspired by Jinx, Vi, Ekko, and the show’s distinctive technologies and weapons. ## Arcane-Themed Discord Customization - The collection is designed to bring *Arcane* imagery into Discord profiles and communities. - Featured items include: - Avatar Decorations - Profile Effects - Designs based on Jinx, Vi, Ekko, and iconic weapons and technology - Discord encourages fans to use the items while discussing the show and sharing reactions with friends. ## How the Collection Was Created - Discord selected recognizable imagery from *Arcane* for each item. - The production process included: - Concept development - 2D sketching - Coloring - Animation - Each item reportedly took several months to plan and create from scratch. ## Availability and Future Releases - Fans can access the collection through the Discord Shop. - The items are available for a limited time. - A second batch of *Arcane* decorations was scheduled for release on November 18, 2024, featuring elements connected to events revealed later in the season. Fans interested in *Arcane* can visit the Discord Shop to purchase the limited-edition profile decorations and effects before they are no longer available.

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Discord Avatar Decorations Profile Effects League Of Legends+1

discordFeb 26, 20253 min readCurated summary

Come Build Where the World Plays

Discord is opening its Activities platform to all developers, enabling them to build, distribute, and monetize games and interactive experiences directly within Discord. The company argues that Discord’s social communities, voice channels, and existing gaming audience create a powerful environment for discovery and rapid product feedback. Early examples suggest Activities can achieve substantial engagement by combining gameplay with native social interaction. ## Discord as a Platform for Social Gameplay - More than 90% of Discord’s 200 million monthly users play games, generating over 1.5 billion hours of gameplay each month. - The Embedded App SDK lets developers create games, music experiences, and other interactive Activities that run inside Discord. - Discord’s servers and voice calls allow friends to launch lightweight games together without leaving conversations. - The platform supports both playing with existing friends and forming new social connections. - Developers are exploring ideas such as: - Games that support collaboration across different schedules and time zones - Bots and memes integrated directly into conversations - Generative AI combined with built-in social communication ## Faster Feedback and Product Development - Tens of thousands of developers adopted the Embedded App SDK during its developer preview. - Building on Discord gives developers access to an active, game-oriented audience and immediate user feedback. - Developers can observe how people interact with their products and quickly adjust features, languages, content, and monetization. - Playroom’s *Death by AI* used Discord feedback to: - Add features and fixes - Expand support to more than 10 languages - Introduce AI voices and new prompt packs - Implement in-app purchases - The game reached nearly 7 million players and more than 1 million hours of gameplay within weeks. ## Easier Discovery and Engagement - Developers can now submit Activities for verification through the Discord Developer Portal and opt into discovery. - Discoverable Activities can appear in: - Discord’s App Launcher - Text and voice channels - Rich embeds shared with friends - Users can launch an Activity from a conversation and invite others to join. - Native rich presence allows Activities to appear in server member lists and user profiles. - Recommendations and visible friend activity help games spread organically. - Discord reports that these improvements have contributed to approximately 1 million additional game launch days per month. Discord’s recommendation to developers is clear: build social, easily accessible experiences that take advantage of Discord’s existing communities and communication features. By opening Activities broadly, the company aims to make Discord a complete platform for discovering, playing, and growing interactive games.

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Generative AI Game Development Discord Activities Social Gaming+3

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