community-building

5 posts

discord

Authenticity Matters: Discord's Pride Month 2025 (opens in new tab)

Discord celebrates Pride Month by honoring the 1969 protests that sparked the LGBTQIA+ movement and reaffirms its commitment to fostering a culture of authenticity. The company highlights the role of its PRIDE Employee Resource Group (ERG) in building an environment where diverse perspectives are considered essential to long-term success. By prioritizing belonging, Discord aims to ensure all team members feel respected and empowered to contribute their full selves to the mission. ### The Roots of Advocacy and Progress * Pride is recognized as a protest originating in 1969, emphasizing the historical adversity and courage required to live authentically. * The legacy of early advocacy serves as an ongoing inspiration for Discord’s efforts to ensure dignity and equality for its global workforce. * The company acknowledges that while 56 years of progress has been made, active work remains necessary to achieve full systemic respect and equality. ### Organizational Structure and Belonging * Discord facilitates inclusion through nine distinct Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that are open to all employees across the organization. * The PRIDE ERG specifically focuses on "building belonging," a concept the company views as the heart of its internal community and operational strategy. * The management philosophy encourages team members to "bring their whole selves to work," operating on the principle that collective unique perspectives create a greater institutional impact. Organizations can look to Discord’s model of integrating ERGs as a method for fostering a culture of authenticity, ensuring that diversity is treated as a core driver of innovation rather than just a social metric.

discord

The Game Developer Playbook, Part One: Getting Started on Discord (opens in new tab)

Developing a community during the early stages of game production allows developers to cultivate a core group of dedicated advocates and insiders. By leveraging communication platforms designed for intimate interaction, creators can transform early players into long-term supporters who contribute directly to the project's evolution. Starting this process as early as possible ensures that the game’s growth is supported by a foundation of trusted feedback and direct player engagement. ### Utilizing Discord for Iterative Development * Discord’s architecture, originally designed for private group conversations, makes it an ideal environment for building close-knit relationships between developers and players. * The platform provides a centralized space to schedule and monitor live playtests, ensuring that developers can observe player behavior in real-time. * Creators can gather actionable insights and qualitative feedback through direct dialogue with community members who are invested in the game’s success. ### Strategic Timing for Community Building * While community management can begin at any phase, the most significant benefits are realized when engagement starts during the earliest stages of development. * Early integration allows for the nurturing of "super-fans" who act as advocates and trusted insiders throughout the production lifecycle. * Establishing a presence early on creates a collaborative atmosphere where players feel like active participants in the game's journey rather than just consumers. To build a sustainable and loyal player base, developers should prioritize early community integration by using Discord as a collaborative hub for playtesting and refinement. Engaging with a small group of dedicated supporters from the start creates a feedback loop that can significantly improve the final product's quality and market fit.

discord

Leveling Up Black Voices in Gaming (opens in new tab)

Discord is celebrating Black History Month 2025 by spotlighting the contributions of Black creators, developers, and communities within the gaming industry. Led by the Black and African American Movement (BAAM) Employee Resource Group, the initiative aims to foster inclusivity and recognize the profound impact of Black culture on gaming. Through these efforts, Discord highlights how diverse voices are essential to creating a more representative and welcoming global gaming landscape. **The BAAM ERG and Community Support** * The Black and African American Movement (BAAM) Employee Resource Group is driving this initiative by curating a selection of influential creators and innovators. * The focus spans the entire gaming spectrum, including competitive players, casual gamers, professional game developers, and community builders. * The initiative emphasizes the intersection of identity and representation, inviting the wider community to engage with experiences that honor the spectrum of Black involvement in tech and gaming. **Spotlighted Creators and Organizations** * Aurélia Durand: A French graphic artist who designed the event's header artwork, her work focuses on celebrating diversity, identity, and womanhood. * Black Girl Gamers: Founded by Jay-Ann Lopez, this organization advocates for diversity and inclusion while specifically amplifying the voices of Black women in the industry. * Brown Girl Gamer Code: Created by Brandii JaVia, this digital community supports women and femmes of color in both gaming and technology to ensure their stories and contributions are recognized. To support these efforts and help build more inclusive digital spaces, Discord encourages users to engage with these featured creators and explore professional opportunities through the company's career portal.