A familiar digital haven for countless tabletop gaming groups may soon face a new challenge: unskippable video advertisements.
Discord, the widely adopted chat service essential for virtual game nights, online RPG campaigns, and thriving gaming communities, has begun testing these new ads, raising questions about the future of ad-free session chatter and community hubs.
For years, tabletop gamers have flocked to Discord for its free, reliable voice and text chat, often using it as a standalone communication tool alongside virtual tabletops (VTTs) or even as a complete replacement for VTT audio features. Its ease of use has made it a cornerstone for groups playing everything from epic fantasy role-playing games to strategic board games online.
However, recent reports indicate Discord is experimenting with unskippable, reward-based video ads. This marks a significant shift from its primary monetisation strategy, which has historically relied on its premium “Nitro” subscription service, offering perks like enhanced streaming quality and cosmetic upgrades.
The ads currently being tested are described as “In-Game Rewards” -branded video advertisements that are tied to game-related perks. A particularly concerning feature for the often multi-tasking tabletop gamer is that these ads reportedly pause if a user navigates to another window or tab, such as to consult a rulebook PDF, character sheet, or digital map. This ensures the advertiser gets their “full impression,” but it could mean unavoidable interruptions to the flow of a game session or crucial player strategising.
As of yet, there are no reports of the ads forcing themselves into a video chat, though. Instead, users have to deal with a banner demanding attention.
While users can reportedly opt into more personalised promotions via their privacy settings, and Discord states it doesn’t rely on real names or invasive personal data for targeting, the core introduction of unskippable content may have some in the tabletop community worried. The company describes ads as “experiences based on you interacting with the games you love,” with users able to browse available rewards in a “Quests” tab or opt out of personalised promotions. However, opting out of personalisation may not mean opting out of seeing the ads altogether.
This development positions Discord at a crossroads. With over 200 million monthly active users, its move towards broader monetisation models nudges it closer to mainstream social media platforms and potentially away from the more community-centric, indie feel that attracted many of its initial users, including many tabletop enthusiasts.
It remains to be seen how the tabletop gaming community, which often relies on focused, uninterrupted communication for immersive storytelling and complex gameplay, will react if these unskippable ads become a permanent fixture. The question on many GMs’ and players’ minds will be whether the platform can successfully integrate this new ad experience without alienating a significant and passionate segment of its user base or if this will prompt a search for new, uninterrupted digital gathering places. The next chapter for Discord, potentially for how many online tabletop games are played, is unfolding.
Ad examples via SearchEngineLand.
