Discord might be changing the game again as reports suggest its executives are in discussions with investment bankers regarding a potential initial public offering (IPO) this year. This speculation arises amid concerns about how the company may adjust to shareholder expectations.

I have mixed feelings about Discord. It’s displaced traditional forums that were much easier to search through, and many mod creators are encouraging users to follow their updates on Discord instead of more organized platforms like GitHub. There’s also the challenging usability when joining new servers—especially when you get flooded with channels that need to be muted or unfollowed.

But it could also be a turning point, as sources from the New York Times mention these talks are still exploratory. A spokesperson from Discord stated that nothing is confirmed regarding an IPO.

If this goes ahead, it further hints that investors’ demands could overshadow user experiences, leading to a decline in the platform’s overall quality.

Back in 2021, Discord’s valuation hit approximately $15 billion, which might tempt executives to seek a floatation in the stock market for the financial growth prospects on the horizon. The outcome is still uncertain, as there are worries that turning public may lead to chasing immediate profits rather than long-term improvements in user experience.