Discord is getting a big update that gives users more ways t…

Discord announced several updates that are coming to the popular communications service this autumn, and many of them are focused on monetization. Although Discord and all of its core features will remain free to use, it announced new features that will open more ways for people to pay for account customization or use of apps built into Discord’s API.

An in-app shop is currently in testing with Discord Nitro customers and will soon be available to anyone who uses Discord. In that shop, people can spend real money to purchase collectible avatar decorations and profile effects, such as making a user’s profile image appear filled with magical potions. A slight discount for Nitro members, these customization options can be permanently equipped to profiles after purchase, so quirky avatar decorations are no longer seasonal.

Additionally, Discord is expanding monetization to third-party apps built with the app’s open API. Discord is expanding available developer tools as it aims to simplify the UI for launching and interacting with apps, allowing activities to run outside of voice chat, and allowing some bots to be run with server admin approval. To enable use in any channel. To encourage people to continue creating apps for the platform, it will let developers charge a one-time or subscription fee to use its Discord service and will also provide analytical tools so developers can measure the success of their apps. Can.

While it’s clear that Discord now wants people to stick around and spend money while they hang out on Discord, another big aspect of this fall’s update is user security. For teen users, Discord will implement Teen Safety Help that attaches a safety alert the first time a teen receives a DM from someone new and automatically blurs media sent to them via DM. Those who are not teens will still be able to opt in to these features.

Discord is reworking how it punishes people who break its rules with a new warning system that’s similar to Xbox’s recent changes. This tier system clearly indicates which rules a user has violated, and gives people a chance to get back into good standing instead of being automatically banned. All this will be reported in a new account status tab.

These are the biggest improvements, though other changes — like the streamlined notifications tab, updated dark theme and voice and video UI, customizable app icons, search filters, and the broader release of the meme-making Remix tool — are all also rolling out in the coming weeks. Will be done.