Discord Backs Down From NFT Integration Following Community Backlash
Discord users tell us that the move was turning them away from the platform.
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Discord appears to be halting its plans for NFT integration, following widespread community backlash. The founder and CEO of Discord, Jason Citron, announced the shift in policy just three days after first hinting at the NFT update, and comes as many users started cancelling their Nitro subscriptions.
In a reply to the original announcement, Citron says, “We have no current plans to ship this internal concept”. However, the criticism continues to pour in online, as many Discord users fear that NFT integration is still on the cards.
As many highlight in the replies, Citron’s statement doesn’t rule out NFT integration in the future. Due to this, many are saying that they will not renew their subscriptions until it is publically scrapped altogether.
Gemma Garner, community manager for video game publisher Raw Fury, told TheGamer that she cancelled the Nitro subscription used for her work Discord servers.
“[We] have had a few internal chats of what to do following this NFT announcement. Ultimately decided to stick with it for now and see how it plays out, though did temporarily cancel my Nitro with the initial announcement, even if it did affect my work.”
It’s much the same across the community – while it hasn’t immediately sent users elsewhere, it has got many concerned about the future of the platform, and at least considering their options.
“I hate the impact crypto has on the environment and NFTs are terrible for artists. The negatives definitely outweigh the positives”, another Discord user told us. “Only reason I wouldn’t be switching away from Discord is because [of] every single community I’m a part of.”
The replies to the original announcement are full of users screenshotting the cancellation of their Nitro payments. Some also say they are completely switching to competitors such as Slack and Guilded.
Over on the subreddit, one of the top posts is titled “Discord developers: Please do not support NFTs”, and links to a survey where users were apparently asked for their opinions on the practice – although it didn’t give them the option to actually oppose them. Another popular post has users sharing ideas for alternatives to Discord, suggesting the service could risk losing users permanently should it continue with NFT integration.
The gaming industry has gone all-in with NFTs recently, much to fan disappointment. EA, Square Enix, Ubisoft, and Konami have expressed their interest in the practice associated with environmental damage and art theft. However, their plans may be halted by the recent US infrastructure bill, which could result in NFT dealers having to pay taxes on crypto transactions.
Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/discord-nft-backlash-nitro-subscription/