Discord has launched the Discord Social SDK, a set of tools enabling developers to integrate Discord's social infrastructure—such as friends lists, cross-platform messaging, voice communication, and invitations—directly into their games. This integration is cost-free for developers aside from the time required for implementation, and players do not need a Discord account to access these features. However, linking a Discord account unlocks additional social functionalities.
The SDK is compatible with C++, Unreal Engine, and Unity, supporting Windows 11 and macOS, with plans to extend support to consoles and mobile platforms. Early adopters include Theorycraft Games, Facepunch Studios, 1047 Games, Scopely, Mainframe Industries, Elodie Games, and Tencent Games.
Discord highlights that this SDK streamlines player connections and enhances engagement, potentially expanding reach beyond the game itself. With over 200 million monthly active users spending more than 1.5 billion hours monthly on PC games, Discord's platform offers significant visibility.
This move also addresses the industry's discovery challenges, where major franchises dominate a substantial portion of gaming time. According to a Newzoo report, five major franchises account for over 30% of gaming time, while the top fifteen represent 60% of all gaming hours. With thousands of games released annually, achieving visibility is increasingly competitive.
Additionally, there are indications that Discord may go public this year, as the company is reportedly in discussions with investment banks to that end. In 2021, Microsoft offered $10 billion for Discord, but the proposal was declined in favor of maintaining independence.
discord.com
