Humam Sakhnini is set to take over as CEO of Discord on April 28, succeeding co-founder Jason Citron, who has led the company since its inception in 2012.

Citron has emphasized Discord's mission to connect people through gaming, a commitment he has maintained throughout his career.

Sakhnini brings over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry, having previously served as Vice Chairman at Activision Blizzard and President of King Digital Entertainment.

As Sakhnini steps into his new role, there are concerns among users about a potential shift towards a more corporate, profit-driven approach that could compromise the platform’s community ethos.

His background in a company known for microtransactions has raised questions about how Discord will approach monetization under his leadership.

Sakhnini aims to work closely with co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy and the executive team to balance new revenue models with user trust and experience.

As Discord prepares for its IPO, users may experience changes in monetization strategies, including tiered subscription models and premium tools for professional use.

Despite these concerns, Discord has reported consistent revenue growth and positive adjusted EBITDA for five consecutive quarters, indicating strong financial performance.

Citron's departure follows unfruitful acquisition talks with Microsoft, which were rumored to value Discord at $10 billion, and has led to integrations with both Xbox and PlayStation.

Recent updates to the Discord platform include a new PC overlay for enhanced performance, improved desktop app design, and easier voice and video controls.

Discord is currently testing an 'age verification' feature in the UK and Australia, requiring users to provide a 'video selfie' or scan an ID to access sensitive content.

In May 2024, Discord announced a renewed focus on serving gamers, aiming to solidify its position as a community platform for online gaming despite potential investor pressures.