The Dynamic Benefits of Discord: More Than Just a Communication Platform
Discord Brand Mark
In the vast expanse of online connectivity, Discord has risen as a versatile platform that transcends the boundaries of conventional social media. Social Media is defined as internet-based channels that allow users to interact and derive value from user-generated content (Shambhavi et al. 2023 p. 390). Initially designed with gamers in mind, Discord has transformed into a multi-faceted space that offers an array of affordances to its users.
The affordances of technologies refer to the relationship between artefacts, users, and environments.
(Petersen 2022 P. 6)
One of Discord’s most significant advantages lies in its ability to host a wide array of communities, each centred around unique interests, hobbies or shared objectives. Here, Discord gratifies its users through the fulfilment of an activity (Palgreen 1984). Unlike conventional social media platforms that aim for mass appeal, Discord’s structure allows users to create and customise their own servers. These servers act as virtual spaces where like-minded individuals congregate to engage in conversations that resonate with their passions or niches. For example, I am a part of DnD and Tabletop gaming servers on Discord. By giving me access to a broader community, Discord has increased the diversity of my peer groups. It has allowed me to find local friends who would want to meet up in person for a campaign as well as organise online. These gratifications extend beyond my experience as Discord has 190 million monthly active users (Campbell 2023). Communities or cultures use digital media that belong to the members’ values, outlooks, and dispositions. As Discord is so versatile it invites a wide range of individuals.
Discord has significantly impacted people’s daily activities, workspaces, and personal commitments. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift towards online education and conferencing, prompting educators to use platforms like Discord to supplement learning management systems (Johnson et al. 2022). Discord’s real-time communication features provide a distinct departure from asynchronous social media platforms, allowing users to engage in conversations, collaborations, and shared experiences. This real-time interaction fosters a sense of connection and camaraderie among community members, facilitating instant feedback and lively discussions. Discord servers have been created for non-gaming purposes due to the pandemic’s push for virtual work and study. The need to supplement learning management systems is driven by psychological dispositions, sociological factors, and environmental conditions (Katz et al. 1973).
In using social media, individuals contribute their personal data which is harvested by search engines and platforms to create value via personalised algorithm-driven advertising (Petersen 2022). The Discord app comes with plenty of user customisations in privacy and security, which is appealing to users like myself. Unlike other VoIP applications, Discord secures the user’s IP location, and personal data and has an auto-encryption technique that protects the user’s chats (Campbell 2023). Users of the Discord app are automatically connected to another server in the event of an unexpected server failure. This prevents the data loss issue. Further, the backend servers of Discord are protected from DDos. The automatic failover mechanism overcomes server issues. This draws in users as the privacy and data fail-safes ensure the platform is reliable for not only gaming but also business and education ventures.
Discord is a digital platform that caters to niche communities, offering a safe haven for enthusiasts who may be overshadowed on larger platforms. It enables users to connect with individuals who share their passions, fostering deep engagement and knowledge sharing. Discord’s evolution from a gaming communication tool to a learning management system for educators demonstrates its adaptability and responsiveness to diverse user needs. Its ability to cater to niche communities, offer real-time interactions, and empower users makes it a standout platform in online connectivity.
Campbell, S 2023, 7 July, Discord statistics 2023: How many people use discord?, The Small Business Blog, Viewed August 21 2023, <https://thesmallbusinessblog.net/discord-statistics/> Johnson, E & Salter, A 2022, ‘Embracing discord? The rhetorical consequences of gaming platforms as classrooms’, Computers and Composition, Vol.65. Kats, E, Haas, H & Gurevitch, M 1973, ‘On the Use of the Mass Media for Important Things’, American Sociological Review, Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 516-517. Palmgreen, P 1984, “Uses and gratifications: A theoretical perspective”, Communication Yearbook, Vol. 8, pp.20-55. Petersen, A 2022, “Emotions Online: Feelings and Affordances of Digital Media”, Digital Media and The Emotions, Taylor & Francis Group. Shambhavi, R, Clinton, D & Manish, A 2023, ‘Social Media’, Fundamentals of Information Technology, Chapter 18.
