Discord cofounder Jason Citron and a16z General Partner Anjney Midha discuss community-driven product development and Discord's commitment to platform extensibility. They explore the shift from gamer to developer, the recent release of embeddable apps, and the nuances of building a developer platform. Topics include Discord's growth to over 200 million monthly active users, the evolution of gaming communication, and the user-centric approach to improving communication and user experience.
Discord prioritizes user feedback and extensibility, fostering a thriving ecosystem of creative exploration.
Developers can now easily create innovative activities on Discord with the recent release of embeddable apps, revolutionizing user engagement.
Deep dives
Evolution of Discord: From Gaming to Extensive Developer Platform
Discord, initially envisioned in 2012 as a communication app for gamers, has transformed into an extensive platform with over 200 million monthly active users. Starting from building tools and infrastructure for games, Discord's journey led to the recent release of embeddable apps, allowing developers to create innovative activities. The platform's foundation on community-driven product development and extensibility has set it apart, fostering a thriving ecosystem driven by user feedback and creative exploration.
Empowering Creativity: Generative AI and Game Development on Discord
Discord's embedded app SDK launch has ignited a surge of creative exploration, with developers producing over 20,000 new activities, generating 4 billion minutes of daily interaction. The platform's seamless integration of generative AI models and user feedback mirrors the game development process, facilitating rapid iteration and community collaboration. Discord's emphasis on empowering developers to build niche experiences and engage with active user communities is reshaping the landscape of interactive entertainment.
Monetization and Sustainability: Discord's Vision for Developer Success
Discord's focus on ensuring developer success extends beyond ideation and launch to encompass sustainable monetization strategies. With the recent launch of the embedded apps SDK, developers can list and monetize their creations within Discord's app directory, tapping into millions of engaged users. By providing seamless payments integration and robust backend support, Discord aims to empower developers to build, launch, and monetize innovative experiences, fostering a thriving ecosystem of creative expression and sustainable businesses.
Discord's evolution into a hub for community-driven innovation reflects a broader trend of co-creation with consumers across diverse industries. By enabling direct feedback loops and close collaboration between developers and users, Discord fosters a dynamic ecosystem where products are tailored to user needs. The platform's ability to aggregate niche communities, facilitate rapid iteration, and empower developers to harness generative AI underscores its pivotal role in revolutionizing user engagement and product development.
In 2009 Discord cofounder and CEO, Jason Citron, started building tools and infrastructure for games. Fast forward to today and the platform has over 200 million monthly active users.
In this episode, Jason, alongside a16z General Partner Anjney Midha—who merged his company Ubiquity6 with Discord in 2021—shares insights on the nuances of community-driven product development, the shift from gamer to developer, and Discord’s longstanding commitment to platform extensibility.
Now, with Discord's recent release of embeddable apps, what can we expect now that it's easier than ever for developers to build?
Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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