Discord, the popular text, voice, and video communication service widely used by the gaming community, is making significant updates to its username system for the first time in its eight-year history.
Initially gaining popularity among PC gamers, Discord has since expanded its reach to include users on PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S consoles, offering a wide range of social features for users across various platforms.
A New System Inspired by Twitter Handles
In a recent blog post, Discord announced that it will replace its current username system, which employs custom names combined with a four-digit discriminator, with a new, more streamlined system inspired by Twitter handles.
Users will create unique, all-lowercase usernames preceded by an @ symbol, which will make the process of adding friends and identifying users more efficient.
Notably, profile pictures, friend nicknames, and server nicknames will remain unaffected by this update.
Gradual Rollout and Display Names
The update will be implemented gradually over the next few weeks, with users being notified when they are eligible to update their usernames.
In addition to the new username system, Discord will also introduce display names, set to become the most prominent form of identity on the platform. Unlike the new usernames, display names will allow for more flexibility, such as the use of emojis, spaces, and uppercase characters.
Older accounts will be the first to receive new usernames, and eventually, all users will have to update their names, regardless of whether they are subscribed to either tier of Discord Nitro, the platform’s premium subscription service.
Strengthening Discord’s Position as a Social Hub for Gamers
The adoption of a Twitter-like feature for usernames not only enhances user experience but also strengthens Discord’s position as the leading social platform for gamers. This is particularly relevant considering recent developments, such as the removal of Twitter sharing from Xbox consoles and the elimination of Twitter integration from popular games like World of Warcraft.
Gamers are increasingly seeking alternative ways to connect and socialize with each other, and with this update to usernames, Discord is further solidifying its standing as the premier social hub for the gaming community.
By adapting and updating its platform to better cater to users’ needs, Discord demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving its service.
As a result, gamers can expect even more features and improvements in the future, ensuring that Discord remains the go-to platform for communication and socialization among gaming enthusiasts.
Hopefully, the sentiments are the same for PlayStation 5 integrated with Discord in a beta update.