Discord has been experimenting with embedding apps and games directly into chats for some time through the Activities feature. Now the company for developers to join the conversation-based fun. The Embedded App SDK is available on March 18th, allowing developers to create iframe-embedded experiences within Discord.
“A lot of Discord developers out there looked at Activities wondering when they would be able to create their own activities,” the company said . Prior to this announcement, these tools were limited to select developers. Currently, Discord users can do things like watch YouTube, play poker, and share boards while participating in a chat. The SDK should open the floodgates and allow for a dramatic increase in the number of shared experiences available. So how much ?
The platform also returns software offers. This app encourages developers to pitch their app ideas and receive up to $30,000 in funding. Discord has ended including a coral reef camera, a city planning sim, and an art portfolio app, among others. Who knows what 2024 will bring.
Finally, Discord announced that it was experimenting with technology to allow users to add apps to their accounts, so those experiences would follow them across servers. The beta version of this tool will be launched on March 18 along with the SDK. The company says users will start seeing apps pop up in “DMs, group chats, and small servers.”
These updates come just two months after the company announced a brutal round of layoffs that has had an impact . CEO Jason Citron said the layoffs were necessary to put Discord “in the best position to continue building a strong and profitable business.” For this purpose, the company recently with game developers to sell themed avatars and various profile effects.
