The Rise and Fall of Discord: A Timeline of What Happened
The Founding and Early Years
In 2015, Jason Citron and Charlie Herzog founded Discord in Portland, Oregon. Initially, the platform was created as a tool for gamers to connect and communicate with each other during online gaming sessions. The name "Discord" comes from the Greek word "dyskordos," meaning "discord" or "harmony," but also referencing the discordant frequencies used in music.
In the early days, Discord’s user base was primarily made up of gamers, but it soon expanded to other communities, including music, art, and entertainment. The platform’s unique blend of real-time chat, voice and video calls, and screen sharing made it a popular choice for content creators and communities.
Growth and Expansion
In 2016, Discord raised $500,000 in seed funding from investors, including Y Combinator, and hired a small team of developers. The platform’s user base continued to grow, and by 2017, it had reached 1 million registered users. Discord’s free version was also rolled out, allowing users to create communities without paying a subscription fee.
In 2018, Discord raised $250 million in Series A funding, which was used to expand the platform’s engineering and development team. This funding helped to accelerate Discord’s growth, and by the end of 2018, the platform had reached 50 million registered users. Discord also introduced its flagship feature, Discord Nitro, which offered additional benefits and perks to users who subscribed to the platform’s premium service.
Rise of the Leaderboard and Community Growth
In 2019, Discord’s popularity soared, and it became one of the most used communication platforms for gamers, music artists, and entertainment communities. The platform’s user base grew exponentially, and it became clear that Discord was facing stiff competition from other popular communication platforms, such as Slack and Telegram.
The Mental Health Crisis
In 2020, Discord faced significant criticism for its handling of mental health concerns in its community. The platform’s algorithms were accused of prioritizing entertaining content over discussing mental health, and users reported feeling stigmatized and marginalized.
Reputation Hit and Backlash
The criticism and backlash against Discord led to a reputation hit for the platform. Many users took to social media to express their frustration and disappointment, calling out Discord for its perceived shortcomings in addressing mental health concerns.
Changes in Leadership and Reputation
In response to the backlash, Discord’s leadership team made several changes. Nicolas Breuner, a former Discord employee, left the company to become the platform’s new CEO.
Under Breuner’s leadership, Discord’s focus shifted to addressing mental health concerns in its community. The platform introduced new features, such as its own mental health resources and support systems, and expanded its community moderators to include mental health professionals. Discord also launched its own mental health-focused events and charity programs, aiming to raise awareness and funds for mental health-related causes.
Current Status
Today, Discord remains one of the most popular communication platforms in the world. The platform’s user base has continued to grow, reaching 150 million registered users as of 2022.
While Discord’s growth and popularity are undeniable, the company’s reputation remains a sensitive topic. The platform’s commitment to addressing mental health concerns and promoting community growth has been recognized by many users, who appreciate the effort to create a safer and more supportive community.
The Future of Discord
As Discord looks to the future, it is clear that the company will continue to evolve and adapt to changing user needs. The platform’s new focus on mental health and community growth is just the beginning of its journey, and there are many opportunities for growth and innovation.
What’s Next for Discord?
- Increased investment in mental health resources and support systems
- Expansion of community moderation and mental health-focused initiatives
- Continued development of new features and functionalities
- Increased focus on community growth and engagement
The Rise and Fall of Discord: A Timeline
- 2015: Jason Citron and Charlie Herzog found Discord
- 2016: Discord raises $500,000 in seed funding and hires a small team of developers
- 2017: Discord reaches 1 million registered users
- 2018: Discord raises $250 million in Series A funding
- 2019: Discord becomes one of the most used communication platforms for gamers, music artists, and entertainment communities
- 2020: Discord faces significant criticism for its handling of mental health concerns in its community
- 2022: Discord reaches 150 million registered users