Amid rumors regarding a potential IPO, Discord has appointed Humam Sakhnini, the former Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard, as its new CEO. Discord’s co-founder, Jason Citron, is stepping down from his role after leading the company for thirteen years.
Initially developed as a platform for online multiplayer gamers to communicate, Discord has evolved into a significant social media platform with over 200 million monthly active users, bridging the gap between the gaming and social media sectors.
By selecting a new CEO with a background in the gaming industry, Discord indicates a renewed focus on its gaming roots as it seeks monetization avenues in advertising and micro-transactions. This move aligns with the company’s strategic direction, as mentioned in their recent press release.
However, this emphasis on advertising and micro-transactions may cause concern among gamers who fear that Discord might prioritize corporate profitability over user experience. Sakhnini, who previously served as CEO of King, a mobile gaming developer known for games like Candy Crush that capitalize on ads and micro-transactions, adds to these concerns.
Although Citron will be stepping down from the CEO position, he will continue to contribute to Discord’s future as an advisor to the CEO and as a member of the board of directors. Citron expressed his intention to take a break and enjoy games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Blue Prince, and Baldur’s Gate III, as mentioned in an exclusive interview with Venture Beat.
