Sony Invests Heavily In Discord’s Future

Last month we spoke of the several interested parties that seem to be poking around the options for buying or simply investing in the VolP app, Discord. VoIP is a short-hand term for online communications, akin to saying “online telephone,” with the term translating as Voice-over-Internet-Protocol. With the present state of the world and gaming as a whole, Discord has over 140-million active users worldwide in only its nearly sixth year, according to the company itself. One of the many ways friends in the gaming community (and further) are keeping in touch amid the current pandemic.

Following the announcement yesterday from Sony, the company known for making several electronic devices and a grand total of three PlayStation 5s, has invested in the online comms app. In the announcement, the President and CEO of SIE, Jim Ryan, stated: “At PlayStation, we’re constantly looking for new ways to enable players around the world[.]” Going on to say, “form new friendships and communities, and share fun experiences and lasting memories.” Doing the usual investor talk of talking about the success of 140-million users.

If you have come hunting for the number behind the investment, there currently is no word on what that might be. Though the numbers around the rumor last month was 10-billion, one could doubt that for this investment. When talking about the conversations with Discord co-founders, Ryan said, “Sony Interactive Entertainment has made a minority investment as part of Discord’s Series H round.” He went on to express the usual business talk about Jason Citron and Stan Vishnevskiy’s life-long passion for gaming and communities. The short comments from Ryan are congratulatory of the deal for the most part, as you’d expect.

However, for players of the station that is for play, there will be a small difference starting next year. Ryan said, “Together, our teams are already hard at work connecting Discord with your social and gaming experience on PlayStation Network.” Don’t worry, Ryan goes on to state, “Our goal is to bring the Discord and PlayStation experiences closer together on console and mobile starting early next year,” seemingly not making this a PS5 exclusive app from here on out. With the small statement on future plans closing with the idea of keeping the app about your small communities and keep it fun.