When playing an online game, players face two main challenges; how to communicate and basic organization to get a game running. Discord is the latest app that has been created to solve these problems. Discord is a VoIP system that enables users to communicate using a combination of text, voice, and video services. Users can also join servers and interact with larger communities.
Discord boasts a minimalistic design and many useful features such as:
Security
Discord doesn’t keep a record of the messages exchanged between users. Once messages are deleted, neither Discord nor other users can retrieve them. The platform also automatically sends photos through PhotoDNA to scan for explicit and illegal material. The platform’s safety team focuses on a reactive approach and only checks messages if a breach has been reported.
Discord also has a bug bounty that rewards any user who can find vulnerabilities within the system. This encourages users to report vulnerabilities rather than exploit them.
Video conferencing
Discord supports video chatting and screen sharing via a direct messaging section. The video conferencing works in the same way platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom function. A user can actively share their use or use the webcam and supports up to 50 people at a time. The platform also offers users the option to stream in a channel with anyone having access to the stream.
File sharing
File sharing is a necessary essential function when running an online community. Discord enables users to share files, with the free version supporting up to 8MB. Users who need to share large files often need a Nitro subscription that allows a file-sharing capacity of up to 100MB per file.
Bots
Bots are AI-powered features that allow users to carry out a range of automated tasks on the server. These unique features perform tasks such as moderating content, welcoming new members, and banning those who break the rules. Bot commands can also be used to add memes, music, games, and a wide array of content to your server. Discord bots elevate your experience on the platform.
New members are encouraged to learn how to use bots to maximize their experience. When adding a bot, it is crucial to consider the task you intend to accomplish. Do you want to add more games, music, or moderate? Some websites provide a list of Discord bots with suggestions based on their rating, certification, newness, and subject.
Some of the best Discord bots include:
- MEE6: This is the best moderation bot on Discord. The bot can automatically look over your server for any rule violations such as spam, foul language, outside links, and spoilers. The bot can kick, mute, or ban a user once they attain a certain number of infractions. MEE6 can also ‘level up’ users and play music.
- Dank Member: This is a meme bot that enables users to put in the right meme during a conversation. Using a series of phrases, you can generate a meme depending on what you need. Dank Member also has an interesting form of currency system that allows you to earn by gambling or stealing from other users. The accumulated coins can be used to buy items in the meme shop.
- Octave: Octave is a music bot that enables users to play any song on Soundcloud or YouTube through their voice channels. The bot can display lyrics to a song, create a playlist, and queue songs. It offers a premium option that can unlock perks such as filter control, unlimited custom playlists, longer track lengths, and bass boost.
- Zodiac: The Zodiac bot allows users to view their zodiac signs and compare them to other peoples. The bot submits suggestions for improvements, helps investigate uncertainty in today’s future, and shows how signs work together.
Integration
Primarily built for gamers, Discord offers many integrations with games and game streaming services. To take advantage of these integrations, you need to link your Twitch and YouTube accounts to Discord. This is made possible using the ‘connections’ tab in the user settings. A user also has the option of adding more accounts, including social media accounts.
In a nutshell, Discord is a growing platform that has considerably evolved into a diverse communication platform. The above list isn’t conclusive on Discord’s array of features, but it is a great place to start. Enjoy gaming today with Discord.
