Has Discord Hit A New Low? | Discord Experimental Features

Summary

Discord is rolling out exciting new features, including video ads that reward users with in-game items for watching game trailers. This initiative, part of the 'Quest' feature, has already proven successful in boosting player engagement. Additionally, Discord is introducing temporary Nitro perks, known as splash potions, that can be earned through quests or purchased, enhancing the gaming experience. Privacy updates include better notification controls when blocking users and enhanced security for billing information. Finally, a new League of Legends leaderboard allows users to share their stats in Discord servers, fostering friendly competition among gamers.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Discord is introducing video ads through a feature called 'Quests,' allowing users to earn rewards for watching game trailers.
• 📈 The Quest feature has proven successful, significantly increasing gameplay hours for games like Genshin Impact and World of Warcraft.
• 🪙 Discord is testing 'splash potions,' temporary Nitro perks that can be shared among friends during gaming sessions.
• 🆓 Users can potentially earn splash potions by completing Discord Quests, enhancing the platform's incentive structure.
• 📱 Discord has made it easier to hide the activity tab that displays friends' gaming activities in servers.
• 🔊 A new mobile audio player will allow users to listen to audio files sent on Discord without needing to download them.
• 🔒 Discord is implementing improved privacy features, including alerts when a blocked user joins a voice channel.
• 📊 A new League of Legends leaderboard feature will allow users to share their gaming stats within Discord servers.
• 🔔 Experimental in-app notifications will enable users to manage notifications for reactions on their messages more effectively.
• 🔐 Enhanced security measures require multi-factor authentication for sensitive actions, protecting user accounts from unauthorized access.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the new video ads feature on Discord?

The new video ads feature, called 'Quests,' allows users to interact with advertisements by completing tasks, such as watching game trailers, in exchange for rewards like in-game items or Discord Avatar decorations.

How have previous quests on Discord affected gameplay?

Previous quests, such as those for *Genshin Impact* and *World of Warcraft*, significantly increased gameplay hours, with reports of an 80% increase for *Genshin Impact* and a 63% increase for *World of Warcraft*.

What types of rewards can users earn from Discord Quests?

Users can earn various rewards from Discord Quests, including in-game items, Discord Avatar decorations, or temporary Nitro perks.

What are splash potions, and how do they work?

Splash potions are temporary Nitro perks that users can share with others in Discord. They can be earned through Quests or purchased, providing benefits like HD streaming for a limited time.

What recent update allows users to control the visibility of the activity tab?

Users can now hide the activity tab in Discord servers, providing a cleaner interface and preventing unwanted notifications about friends' activities.

What is the new feature for audio files on mobile?

Discord has added a new audio player for mobile users, allowing them to play audio files directly within the app instead of needing to download them.

How does Discord enhance user privacy with new blocking features?

Discord now provides clearer notifications about blocking users, including alerts if a blocked user joins a voice channel, ensuring users are informed about their interactions.

What does the League of Legends leaderboard feature allow users to do?

The League of Legends leaderboard allows users to connect their Riot accounts and share their stats in servers, showing rankings based on kills and other metrics.

What security improvements has Discord implemented?

Discord has implemented two-factor authentication for sensitive actions like editing payment information and changing custom invite links, enhancing security against unauthorized access.

Why might some users find the video ads feature less intrusive than traditional ads?

The video ads feature is seen as less intrusive because users voluntarily engage with the content to earn rewards, unlike traditional ads that can be forced upon them without compensation.