The History of Discord: From Startup to
Social Giant
Generated Overview
September 16, 2025
1 Introduction
Discord is a free voice, video, and text communication platform designed for creating
communities. Launched in 2015, it quickly became popular among gamers but has since
expanded to a wide range of users, including educators, businesses, and hobbyists. This
document provides a chronological overview of Discord’s history, key milestones, and
evolution.
2 Early Beginnings (2012–2014)
Defining the plan for the origins section by outlining the founding team’s background
and initial projects.
2.1 The Founders
Discord was founded by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy, both experienced in
the gaming industry. Citron previously co-founded OpenFeint, a social gaming network
acquired by GREE in 2010. Vishnevskiy worked on various game development projects.
Their shared passion for gaming led them to identify the need for better in-game com-
munication tools.
2.2 Project Hammer & Company Formation
In 2012, Citron launched Fates Forever, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game.
To support it, they developed Project Hammer, an internal tool for voice chat. Recog-
nizing its potential beyond the game, they formed Hammer & Chisel in 2014, pivoting to
develop a standalone communication app.
3 Launch and Rapid Growth (2015–2016)
Structuring the launch narrative to highlight initial success and user adoption metrics.
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Discord History 2
3.1 Initial Release
Discord entered closed beta in July 2015 and publicly launched on May 13, 2015, ini-
tially targeting gamers. It offered low-latency voice chat, text channels, and easy server
creation, setting it apart from competitors like TeamSpeak and Skype.
3.2 Explosive Adoption
By the end of 2015, Discord had over 3 million users. Its free model, cross-platform
support (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android), and integrations with games fueled
growth. In 2016, it reached 11 million users, with partnerships like Twitch enhancing
visibility.
4 Expansion and Challenges (2017–2019)
Outlining expansion strategies and addressing controversies to balance positive and neg-
ative aspects.
4.1 Feature Developments
Discord introduced video calling (2017), stage channels for events (2019), and server
boosts for premium features. It also launched Nitro, a subscription for enhanced upload
limits and custom emojis.
4.2 Controversies
In 2017, Discord banned over 100 alt-right servers amid rising hate speech concerns. It
faced scrutiny for moderation policies but committed to safety improvements, including
better reporting tools.
5 Maturity and Diversification (2020–Present)
Covering recent adaptations, including pandemic impacts and future directions.
5.1 Pandemic Boom
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Discord’s user base surged to 140 million
monthly active users as remote socializing increased. It hosted virtual events and ed-
ucational servers.
5.2 Beyond Gaming
Post-2020, Discord expanded with activities like watch parties, integrations with Spotify
and YouTube, and enterprise tools. In 2021, it acquired Sendbird for better API support.
As of 2025, it boasts over 200 million monthly users and continues innovating with AI
features and enhanced privacy.
Discord History 3
6 Conclusion
Discord’s journey from a gaming chat app to a versatile communication platform exem-
plifies adaptability and community focus. Its emphasis on accessibility and user feedback
has solidified its place in digital social spaces.
