Discord, a leading communication platform popular among gamers and social media users, has appointed Humam Sakhnini as its new CEO. This decision comes as co-founder Jason Citron steps down from his role after 13 years of leadership.
Sakhnini, previously the Vice Chairman at Activision Blizzard, brings a wealth of experience from the gaming industry. His appointment signals Discord's intention to strengthen its core identity in gaming, especially as the company prepares for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Over the years, Discord has evolved from a platform created for gamers to a mainstream social media service, boasting over 200 million monthly active users. This growth illustrates its significance in both the gaming and social networking arenas.
In its official press release, Discord emphasized its renewed focus on gaming roots while exploring various monetization strategies, including advertising and microtransactions. However, these strategies may raise concerns among its user base, who may fear a shift toward more corporate priorities, compromising the platform's original community-driven ethos.
Previously, Sakhnini led King, the mobile game developer known for its successful franchise Candy Crush, which heavily relies on advertising and microtransactions for revenue. This history suggests that under his leadership, Discord may embrace similar monetization tactics.
Though Citron is stepping away from day-to-day operations, he will maintain involvement as an advisor and will serve on the board of directors. Expressing a desire to take a break, he mentioned looking forward to playing popular video games such as Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Blue Prince, and Baldur's Gate III.
Citron's tenure at Discord has been marked by significant achievements, including the app's debut during the 2013 Startup Battlefield competition, where he pitched a multiplayer online battle arena game that ultimately faced monetization challenges. His experience eventually led to the creation of Discord in 2015, a platform that has since transformed the landscape of online communication.
As Discord moves forward under Sakhnini's leadership, the industry will watch closely, particularly regarding the balance between community values and profit-driven strategies in this evolving digital landscape.