Discord, known for steering clear of ads, is changing its tune as it delves deeper into the online realm. It turns out, ads are a smart move for business, as seen with other tech giants like Netflix. So, Discord is dipping its toes into the ad pool, but in a different way.
Instead of bombarding users with traditional ads, Discord will weave ads into gaming streams. These ads, called “sponsored quests,” blend seamlessly into the gaming experience. Players who stream certain games and complete specific tasks can earn rewards.
According to Peter Sellis, Discord’s Senior Vice President of Product, these quests will appear subtly within Discord. You can choose to stream your game to friends and get rewards for playing. Some players will know about the quests upfront, while others will discover them as their friends accept and embark on the quests.
With a whopping 1.5 billion hours of gameplay each month on Discord, the potential for these ads is massive. And with over 60,000 game titles being streamed, there’s plenty of variety. It’s a big opportunity for Discord to finally turn a profit.
The streaming model, which many entertainment companies adopted in recent years, isn’t foolproof. Relying solely on subscribers has its pitfalls, as seen with strikes and new unions forming. Traditionally, working with advertisers and sponsors has been a reliable way to make money. Cutting out ads could mean cutting off a significant revenue stream.
According to Andrew Tropeano, a technology expert, Discord is recognizing a key lesson: companies with hefty marketing budgets will pay more than individual subscribers in the long run.
