April 24, 2025 – Discord has recently announced a major leadership shake-up, appointing Humam Sakhnini, former Vice President of Activision Blizzard, as its new CEO, amidst ongoing rumors of an impending Initial Public Offering (IPO).
This strategic pivot comes as Discord co-founder Jason Citron steps down from the CEO role after 13 years at the helm. Citron will transition to an advisory position as CEO Emeritus and remain on the board of directors, expressing a desire to “take a break and catch up on games” like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Blue Prince, and Baldur’s Gate III after a decade-long entrepreneurial sprint.
The hiring of Sakhnini, a veteran of the gaming industry with a background leading King (known for ad-driven hits like Candy Crush), signals Discord’s intent to double down on its gaming roots. The platform, which started as a voice-chat tool for gamers but now boasts over 200 million monthly users, has “refocused on its gaming heritage” to capitalize on monetization opportunities in advertising and microtransactions, per a company statement.
While this shift aligns with Sakhnini’s expertise, it risks alienating Discord’s core user base, where ad fatigue and pay-to-win mechanics are contentious topics. The move, coupled with the IPO speculation, suggests Discord is charting a more aggressive path toward profitability—a departure from its early identity as a community-first platform.
Despite the changes, Citron remains optimistic about Discord’s future, stating, “The company is in great hands with Humam, and I’m excited to see where he takes it.” For now, the gaming world watches closely as Discord navigates the delicate balance between growth and preserving its user-centric ethos.
