What is Discord and what is it for? 5 Best features of it?

Discord has taken the gaming world by storm, emerging as a powerful platform for creating chat servers and fostering communities of like-minded individuals. Originally designed for gamers, it has evolved into a versatile communication tool that supports voice, video, and text chats, making it a must-have for anyone looking to connect with others online. With millions of users worldwide, Discord has become one of the most popular ways to communicate, collaborate, and build communities.

What Is Discord?

Discord is a free communication app that allows users to create and join servers—essentially digital communities—where they can interact via text, voice, or video. While it’s widely known for its gaming-centric features, Discord’s flexibility makes it suitable for non-gamers as well. Whether you’re coordinating a gaming raid, hosting a study group, or running a business meeting, Discord offers the tools to make communication seamless and engaging.

Key Features of Discord

1. Voice and Video Chat:
   • High-quality voice chats let you communicate with teammates in real-time during gaming sessions.
   • Video calls enable face-to-face interactions, perfect for streaming gameplay or hosting virtual meetings.
2. Text Channels:
   • Create dedicated text channels for different topics, making it easy to organize conversations within a server.
3. Servers and Communities:
   • Join or create servers based on shared interests, from gaming and anime to education and hobbies.
4. Cross-Platform Compatibility:
   • Discord works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers, ensuring you can stay connected no matter your device.
5. Customization:
   • Personalize your server with roles, permissions, and bots to automate tasks and enhance the community experience.
6. Screen Sharing and Streaming:
   • Share your screen or stream gameplay directly within Discord, making it a favorite among gamers and content creators.

Why Gamers Love Discord

Discord’s gamer-centric design has made it the go-to platform for online gaming communication. Here’s why:

• Real-Time Coordination: Whether you’re planning an MMO raid or strategizing in a first-person shooter, Discord’s voice chat ensures smooth teamwork.
• Community Building: Create or join gaming communities to share tips, discuss strategies, or simply hang out with fellow gamers.
• No More Toxic Chat: Unlike public in-game chats, Discord allows you to control who joins your server, reducing exposure to toxic behavior.

Beyond Gaming: Discord’s Versatility

While Discord’s roots are in gaming, its usefulness extends far beyond. Here’s how non-gamers can benefit:

• Study Groups: Students can create servers for collaborative learning and project discussions.
• Professional Use: Teams can use Discord for remote meetings, file sharing, and project management.
• Hobby Communities: From book clubs to art groups, Discord provides a space for people to connect over shared interests.

How to Get Started with Discord

1. Download the App: Available on PC, mobile, and web browsers.
2. Create or Join a Server: Start your own community or explore public servers based on your interests.
3. Customize Your Experience: Set up text and voice channels, add bots, and invite friends to join.
4. Engage and Connect: Use voice, video, or text to communicate with your community.

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Discord: From Gamer Chat to Global Community Hub – Its Origins Explained

Discord has become a household name, especially in the gaming world, but its roots and evolution are quite interesting. So, what exactly is Discord, and where did it come from?

Simply put, Discord is a social platform designed to create chat groups for various games and interests. Think of it as a blend of TeamSpeak, Skype, and even a touch of Slack, earning it the nickname “Slack for gamers.”  

You can access Discord on your PC, mobile device, or directly through your web browser. It offers a wide range of functionalities, including text, voice, and video chat, all within a free application.  

The Origin Story:

The concept of Discord originated from Jason Citron, CEO and founder of OpenFeint, a social platform for mobile devices. Discord officially launched in May 2015.  

Citron and his team initially focused on Reddit communities, noticing that many were moving away from IRC servers in favor of Discord. This strategic focus helped Discord gain traction.

Its popularity skyrocketed among esports players, LAN tournament organizers, and streamers on platforms like Twitch. The real-time communication and community-building features made it an instant hit.  

By January 2016, Discord’s rapid growth attracted an additional $20 million in funding, solidifying its position as a leading communication platform.

What Discord is for?

Discord is a social platform designed to create chat groups for gamers and communities with shared interests. Think of it as a hybrid of TeamSpeak and Skype, but with the professional features of tools like Slack. This unique combination has earned it the nickname “Slack for Gamers.”

You can use the platform for any purpose you want, but the great impact it has had is on the gamer community. It is an ideal application to meet virtually with colleagues and friends, organizing videogame games. It allows you to talk to other players while you play thanks to the voice chat functions.

Conversations with other users are carried out through the platform’s servers. These are the name given to each community created in Discord. That is to say, each community represents having your own IRC, since each server has different channels, among which the users communicate.

The groups or servers can be of specific games, developer studios and other topics. They can be public or private, although they are always a meeting point for users who wish to get together and chat.

Although Discord’s fame comes from the gamer side, there are many other servers dedicated to other interests or hobbies. In the chats, you can send GIFs, share memes, screenshots or simply talk about your day-to-day life with friends or other users.

What Makes Discord Unique?

1. Versatile Communication:
   • Text Chat: Create dedicated channels for different topics.
   • Voice Chat: Communicate in real-time with crystal-clear audio.
   • Video Calls: Host video conferences or stream gameplay.
2. Cross-Platform Accessibility:
   • Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers, ensuring you can stay connected from any device.
3. Free to Use:
   • All core features are completely free, making it accessible to everyone.
4. Community-Centric:
   • Create or join servers to connect with like-minded individuals, whether for gaming, hobbies, or professional purposes.

The Origin of Discord

Discord was founded by Jason Citron, the creator of OpenFeint, a social platform for mobile gaming. Citron recognized the need for a better communication tool for gamers, especially during online multiplayer sessions.

• Public Launch: Discord officially launched in May 2015.
• Early Growth: The platform gained traction through Reddit communities, where users began replacing IRC servers with Discord servers.
• Gaming Community Adoption: Discord’s popularity skyrocketed thanks to eSports players, LAN tournaments, and streaming platforms like Twitch.

By January 2016, Discord had secured $20 million in funding, a testament to its rapid growth and potential.

Why Discord Stands Out

1. Gamer-First Design:
   • Discord was built with gamers in mind, offering low-latency voice chat and seamless integration with gaming communities.
2. Professional Features:
   • Beyond gaming, Discord’s server customization, bots, and file-sharing capabilities make it a versatile tool for non-gamers as well.
3. Community Building:
   • Discord’s server-based structure allows users to create private or public communities, fostering engagement and collaboration.

From its humble beginnings as a gamer-focused communication tool to its current status as a global platform for communities of all kinds, Discord has come a long way. Its user-friendly interface, robust features, and commitment to free access have made it a favorite among gamers, streamers, and professionals alike.

Whether you’re looking to coordinate a gaming raid, host a virtual meeting, or build an online community, Discord has the tools to make it happen.

How Does Discord Work? A Step-by-Step Guide

Discord is a user-friendly platform designed to make communication and community building seamless. Whether you’re a gamer, streamer, or just someone looking to connect with others, Discord’s intuitive interface and versatile features make it easy to get started. Here’s a breakdown of how Discord works:

Getting Started with Discord

1. Launch the App:
   • Once you open Discord, you’ll see the startup screen. The main window displays your friends list, while the left sidebar shows the servers you’ve joined.
2. User Profile:
   • Each user has a unique Discord tag, which includes a username (case-sensitive) and a four-digit ID number (e.g., Username#1234).

Connecting with Friends

1. Adding Friends:
   • Click the “Add Friend” button at the top of the home screen. Enter the user’s Discord tag to send a friend request.
   • If they accept, you can start text, voice, or video chats directly from your friends list.
2. Group Chats:
   • You can add multiple people to the same chat for group conversations.

Joining or Creating Servers

1. Servers Explained:
   • Servers are community hubs where users can interact in text or voice channels. They can be public (anyone can join) or private (invite-only).
2. Joining a Server:
   • Use an invite link to join a server. Once added, it will appear in the left sidebar.
3. Creating a Server:
   • Click the “+” button on the sidebar to create your own server. Customize it with channels, roles, and permissions to suit your community’s needs.

Exploring Discord’s Features

1. Text and Voice Channels:
   • Text Channels: Ideal for written conversations, sharing links, or posting memes.
   • Voice Channels: Perfect for real-time communication during gaming sessions or virtual hangouts.
2. Video Calls and Screen Sharing:
   • Start video calls or share your screen directly within Discord, making it great for streaming gameplay or hosting meetings.
3. Bots and Customization:
   • Add bots to automate tasks, play music, or moderate your server.
   • Customize your server with roles, emojis, and themes to make it unique.

Discord’s Game Store

To enhance its versatility, Discord has introduced its own game store, featuring:

• Classic Games: Nostalgic titles for retro gamers.
• Indie Games: Support for independent developers.
• Exclusive Titles: Unique games available only on Discord.

This feature adds another layer of functionality, making Discord a one-stop platform for gaming and community interaction.

Why Use Discord?

• Free and Accessible: No cost to use core features.
• Cross-Platform: Works on PC, mobile, and web browsers.
• Community-Centric: Perfect for building private or public communities.
• Gamer-Friendly: Low-latency voice chat and streaming capabilities.

How to Create a Discord Server: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a Discord server is simple, free, and customizable, making it an excellent tool for building communities or connecting with friends. Servers are displayed on the left sidebar of the Discord client. If you haven’t joined one yet, click the ‘Add Server’ button to start your own. Discord provides pre-made templates and prompts to guide you through the setup process. You’ll answer a few questions about the server’s purpose, choose whether it’s public (open to everyone) or private (invite-only), and give it a name. Once created, you’ll have full control over the server’s settings, including roles, permissions, and channels. To invite others, right-click on the server’s channel list and select ‘Invite People.’ You can either invite friends directly from your friends list or generate a shareable link that allows anyone to join. This link can be shared via social media, messaging apps, or email.

To keep conversations organized, you can create text and voice channels within your server. For example, you might have separate channels for Rocket League and Fall Guys players to avoid interruptions. As the server admin, you can kick disruptive users or promote trusted members to moderator roles to help manage the community.

Discord Voice Chat: Seamless Communication for Gamers and Beyond

Discord’s voice chat feature is one of its standout tools, enabling real-time communication with friends or community members. To start a voice call, go to the Home screen, right-click a friend’s name, and select ‘Call.’ They’ll receive a notification, and you can talk for free as long as you have a microphone and headphones.

Servers also include voice channels, where multiple users can join and communicate simultaneously. This feature is perfect for multiplayer gaming, as it allows teams to coordinate strategies or simply chat while playing. Voice channels can be customized for specific purposes, such as game modes or activities. For instance, you could have one channel for Fortnite Battle Royale and another for Fortnite Creative.

Voice chat settings are highly customizable. You can enable ‘push-to-talk,’ which only broadcasts your voice when you press a specific key, or use voice activation, which detects when you’re speaking. Alternatively, you can leave your mic open for constant broadcasting. These options ensure a smooth and interruption-free communication experience.

Discord Text Chat: Organized and Engaging Conversations

Text chat is another core feature of Discord, allowing users to communicate without needing a microphone. Servers can have multiple text channels for different purposes, such as general chat, announcements, or game-specific discussions. By default, a new server starts with a General channel, but admins can create additional channels for rules, FAQs, or community events.

Text channels can be set to ‘read-only,’ which is ideal for sharing rules or guidelines. Most channels, however, are open for users to chat freely. While Discord doesn’t have a language filter to block obscene words, it does include a feature to block explicit images. Text channels are perfect for sharing memes, asking questions, or having casual conversations, making them a versatile tool for community interaction.

Discord Video Chat: Stay Connected Face-to-Face

If you have a webcam connected, Discord supports video chat, allowing you to connect with friends or community members in a more personal way. Similar to voice chat, you can start a video call directly from your friends list or direct messages in the Home section of the app. Simply click the camera-shaped icon next to a friend’s name to initiate a call.

For group video calls, Discord allows up to 25 participants. These calls can be started in any voice channel within a server. Once you join the channel, you can turn on your camera to start or join a video chat. This feature is perfect for virtual meetings, gaming sessions, or casual hangouts, offering functionality similar to platforms like Zoom but with a gamer-friendly twist.

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Game Streaming in Discord: Share Your Screen with Ease

Discord’s screen-sharing feature lets you stream your gameplay or other activities to friends or server members. Unlike Twitch or YouTube, which are designed for public broadcasts, Discord’s streaming is private and confined to the server or channel where you start the stream.

To begin streaming, join a voice channel or start a direct message and click the ‘Screen Share’ button. You can use this feature to show off your progress in a game, ask for help, or even share other applications like a digital art program. While you can stream your screen alongside a video feed, Discord doesn’t support picture-in-picture overlays.

Free users are limited to 720p resolution and 30fps, but Discord Nitro subscribers can stream at their source resolution and up to 60fps, providing a smoother and higher-quality experience.

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What Is a Public Discord Server?

Many games and communities have their own public Discord servers, serving as hubs for fans, developers, and players to interact. These servers allow developers to share updates, provide customer support, and foster community discussions.

To join a public server, use the ‘Explore Public Servers’ button or accept a public invite link. For example, the Official Fortnite Discord Server has nearly 800,000 members sharing screenshots, looking for teammates, and discussing the game.

Before participating, you’ll need to agree to the server’s rules, which typically include guidelines like no harassment, no sharing personal information, and no harmful links. Breaking these rules can result in being kicked or banned from the server.

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What Are Discord Roles?

Roles are a powerful tool for server admins to manage their communities. They allow you to assign permissions to users, such as the ability to create channels, mute members, or kick troublemakers.

For example, you can create a ‘Helper’ role with limited powers or a ‘Moderator’ role with broader authority. Roles can also restrict access to certain features, like disabling video chat for specific users. However, roles should be assigned carefully, as they can be abused if given to untrusted individuals.

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Discord Privacy Controls: Stay Safe Online

Discord offers a range of privacy and safety features to protect users. You can filter messages from strangers, block unwanted users, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.

Discord’s official website provides tips on how to secure your account, and it’s a good idea to regularly check for updates to these features. Staying informed about privacy settings ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience on the platform.

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Discord Nitro: Unlock Premium Features

While Discord’s free version is packed with features, Discord Nitro offers premium perks for a subscription fee of 9.99permonth∗∗or∗∗9.99permonth∗∗or∗∗99.99 per year. Nitro benefits include:

• Larger Uploads: Increase file upload limits from 8MB to 100MB.
• Higher-Quality Streaming: Stream at your source resolution and up to 60fps.
• Custom Emojis: Use animated emojis and upload custom emojis to any server you own.
• Animated Avatars: Personalize your profile with animated profile pictures.

Nitro is ideal for power users who want to enhance their Discord experience with additional features and higher-quality options.

How to Join Discord: A Beginner’s Guide

Discord has become one of the most popular platforms for online communication, especially among gamers. However, its versatility makes it suitable for non-gaming purposes as well, such as family chats, study groups, or professional meetings. The best part? Discord is platform-agnostic, meaning it works seamlessly across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, mobile devices, and more.

To join Discord, simply download the free app from the App Store, Google Play, or the Discord website. Alternatively, you can use Discord directly in your web browser. Once installed, you can join a server by searching for one, accepting an invite link, or creating your own. Servers are made up of channels where members can communicate via text, voice, or video chat.

Discord’s interface is user-friendly: servers and channels appear on the left sidebar, while the right sidebar displays the list of members. At the top (or bottom on mobile), you can add friends, search servers, and check mentions. Free users can join up to 100 servers, while Nitro subscribers can join 200.

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How to Use Discord: A Versatile Communication Tool

Discord is designed to be used alongside other activities, making it perfect for gaming, studying, or socializing. For example, if you and your friends play fighting games like Mortal Kombat 1 or Street Fighter 6, you can all connect to the same Discord server from any device to chat and coordinate.

Discord offers both private and public servers. Private servers are ideal for small groups of friends or confidential discussions, while public servers are great for community building. Public servers often revolve around shared interests, such as gaming, anime, or hobbies, and allow members to create custom emojis and in-jokes.

Moderators can ban problematic users, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment. Game developers often interact with fans on verified servers, making Discord a hub for gaming communities.

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Discord Isn’t Just for Gamers

While Discord is best known for its gaming features, it’s also a powerful tool for non-gaming activities. The platform supports book clubs, dance classes, study groups, and even digital conventions. Teenagers, in particular, use Discord for studying, watching Netflix together, and listening to music via Spotify integration.

Discord’s Teen Safety Assist features are designed to protect younger users, making it a safe space for social interaction and community building.

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Does Discord Cost Money?

Discord is free to download and use, but it also offers premium features through Discord Nitro. There are two subscription tiers:

1. Discord Nitro Basic (2.99/monthor2.99/monthor29.99/year):
   • Includes a Nitro badge, custom emojis, stickers, and video backgrounds.
   • Offers discounts in the in-app shop.
2. Discord Nitro (9.99/monthor9.99/monthor99.99/year):
   • Increases file upload limits to 500MB (compared to 25MB for free users).
   • Enables 4K/60fps streaming, longer messages, and animated avatars.
   • Includes two Server Boosts, which unlock premium features for the entire server, such as custom invite artwork, animated icons, and higher upload limits.

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Final Thoughts

Discord is more than just a gaming communication tool—it’s a versatile platform for connecting, collaborating, and building communities. Whether you’re a gamer, student, or professional, Discord offers the tools to stay connected and engaged.

With its free version and premium Nitro features, Discord ensures a seamless and customizable experience for all users.