Discord Names New CEO as Co-Founder Steps Down Ahead of IPO
Discord Inc., the popular chat app, named a new chief executive officer, replacing co-founder and current CEO Jason Citron.
Humam Sakhnini, who most recently served as the vice chairman of Activision Blizzard, managing a portfolio of hit games including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush, will take up the role on April 28, according to a statement from the company Wednesday.
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Geek Vibes Nation
5 hours ago
- Geek Vibes Nation
What Every Startup Can Learn From The Gaming Industry's Epic Business Model Evolution
By Matt Lhoumeau, CEO of Concord I'll never forget the first time I played World of Warcraft. It was 2005, I was working at a telecom company in France, and I couldn't understand why anyone would pay €13 every month just to play a game they'd already bought. Fast forward to today, and that 'crazy' subscription model generates billions annually. The gaming industry didn't just change how we play – it revolutionized how businesses think about customer relationships, revenue models, and long-term value creation. As someone who's built a company serving over 1,500 businesses, I've watched countless startups struggle with the same challenges game developers faced 20 years ago: How do you create sustainable revenue? How do you keep customers engaged? How do you scale without losing your soul? The answers, surprisingly, come from an industry that turned 'Game Over' into 'New Game+'. From One-and-Done to Games as a Service The gaming industry's transformation mirrors what every modern business needs to understand. In the 1990s, game developers had one shot: ship a cartridge, hope it sells, move on to the next project. Sound familiar? That's how most businesses still operate – one transaction, one customer interaction, hope for the best. Then everything changed. Games became services. Relationships became ongoing. Revenue became recurring. This shift didn't happen overnight, and it wasn't without casualties. For every Fortnite generating $5 billion annually from a free game, there's an Anthem or Babylon's Fall that crashed and burned. The difference? Understanding that the business model is as important as the product itself. The Free-to-Play Revolution: When Giving Away Your Product Makes You Rich Here's where it gets interesting for startups. The gaming industry discovered something counterintuitive: sometimes the best way to make money is to give your product away for free. League of Legends, one of the most profitable games ever created, costs nothing to play. Yet it generates over $1.5 billion annually. How? By fundamentally rethinking the value exchange. Instead of charging for access, they charge for enhancement. Instead of one big payment, they enable thousands of micro-transactions. Instead of hoping customers stay, they continuously provide reasons to engage. This isn't just about games. When we built Concord, we applied similar thinking. Instead of charging huge upfront fees like traditional enterprise software, we made it accessible to small businesses with flexible pricing. We learned that lowering barriers to entry while providing continuous value creates stronger, more profitable relationships than any one-time sale ever could. The Contract Behind the Controller What most people don't realize is that every modern game is essentially a complex web of contracts and agreements. When you download Fortnite, you're not just getting a game – you're entering into terms of service, privacy agreements, content licenses, and potentially hundreds of micro-contracts for every in-game purchase. This is where my world intersects with gaming in fascinating ways. Modern game companies need sophisticated procurement contract management software to handle relationships with: Platform providers (Steam, Epic, PlayStation, Xbox) Payment processors for multiple currencies and methods Cloud service providers for massive multiplayer infrastructure Content creators and licensing partners Localization and distribution partners globally One AAA game studio we work with manages over 3,000 vendor contracts just for a single game launch. Miss a renewal with your cloud provider? Your game goes offline. Mess up a licensing agreement? Your soundtrack disappears. The stakes are massive, and manual management is impossible. Data: The Real Power-Up Gaming companies were among the first to truly understand the power of analytics. Every click, every purchase, every rage quit – it's all data that drives decisions. Riot Games processes 500 billion events monthly from League of Legends alone. That's not just impressive; it's instructive. Modern contract analytics software applies the same principles to business operations. Just as game developers track player engagement to optimize experiences, businesses can track contract performance to optimize relationships. Which vendors deliver on time? Which contracts generate the most value? Where are the bottlenecks in your approval process? The gaming industry learned that data without action is just expensive storage. The same applies to any business. It's not enough to collect information – you need systems that surface insights and enable rapid response. The Subscription Economy: Lessons from the MMO Masters Remember when buying software meant getting a box with CDs? Gaming killed that model first. World of Warcraft proved that players would pay monthly for ongoing value. Xbox Game Pass took it further – why buy games when you can access hundreds for $15/month? This shift required fundamental changes in how companies operate: Continuous Content Creation : You can't charge monthly for a static product. Game developers learned to ship updates constantly, creating reasons for players to stay engaged. Every business needs to think the same way – what's your content strategy? Community Management : Subscription models live or die on retention. Gaming companies invest heavily in community managers, moderators, and engagement specialists. Your customer success team is your guild leader. Predictable Revenue Operations : When players subscribe, you can forecast revenue months in advance. But this requires sophisticated systems to manage billing, renewals, and churn prevention – exactly the kind of operational excellence that modern contract management enables. The Platform Play: Building Ecosystems, Not Just Products Perhaps the biggest lesson from gaming is the power of platforms. Steam didn't just sell games – it became the place where PC gaming happens. Epic Games leveraged Fortnite's success to launch a competing store. Roblox turned players into developers, creating a $45 billion ecosystem where users generate the content. For startups, this means thinking beyond your immediate product. How can you create a platform that others build upon? How can you turn customers into partners? How can you enable ecosystem growth? This requires sophisticated partner management, clear agreements, and scalable operations – challenges that multiplayer game developers have been solving for years. The Dark Side: Lessons from Loot Box Controversies Not every gaming innovation should be copied. The loot box controversy teaches valuable lessons about customer trust and sustainable practices. When EA's Star Wars Battlefront II locked progression behind randomized purchases, the backlash was swift and severe. The game that was supposed to print money became a cautionary tale. The lesson? Short-term monetization tactics that exploit customers will eventually backfire. Building sustainable businesses requires balancing value creation with value capture. Your pricing model should feel fair, transparent, and aligned with customer success. Your Next Level Awaits The gaming industry's evolution from product to service, from transaction to relationship, from single-player to massive multiplayer, offers a masterclass in business model innovation. But these lessons only matter if you can execute on them. Here's your quest log for applying gaming wisdom to your startup: Rethink Your Revenue Model : Are you still selling products when you could be providing services? Consider how subscription, freemium, or platform models might transform your business. Invest in Infrastructure : Just as modern games require robust backend systems, your business needs operational excellence. Automate what you can, starting with critical processes like contract management. Embrace Continuous Delivery : Ship early, ship often, respond to feedback. The days of 'fire and forget' are over. Your product should evolve constantly. Build Community, Not Just Customer Base : Your most engaged users are your greatest asset. Invest in tools and processes that enable community growth. Make Data-Driven Decisions : If game companies can analyze billions of events, you can track your key metrics. Start with the basics and scale from there. Prepare for Global Scale : Gaming went global because digital distribution made borders irrelevant. Is your business ready for international growth? The gaming industry transformed because it had to. Faced with technological change, shifting consumer expectations, and intense competition, developers either evolved or disappeared. Every industry faces similar pressures now. The question isn't whether you need to transform – it's whether you'll learn from those who've already blazed the trail. Game Over? Not even close. For smart startups willing to learn from gaming's epic evolution, it's just the beginning of a whole new adventure. Ready Player One? Matt Lhoumeau is the co-founder and CEO of Concord, a contract management platform trusted by over 1,500 companies. A lifelong gamer turned entrepreneur, Matt discovered parallels between gaming's digital transformation and the operational challenges facing modern businesses.
Time Business News
12 hours ago
- Time Business News
WoW Boost vs. Traditional Gameplay: Is It Worth the Cost?
World of Warcraft (WoW) has been captivating gamers since 2004, evolving into one of the most expansive and complex MMORPGs ever made. Over the years, players have found various ways to climb the ranks and progress through Azeroth's challenging environments. Among these methods, WoW boost services have emerged as a controversial yet popular solution for those looking to skip the grind and jump straight into high-level content. But does using a WoW boost service deliver real value, or does it undermine the essence of what makes World of Warcraft so engaging in the first place? As this debate continues within the community, it's worth taking a deeper dive into what WoW boosts actually offer compared to traditional gameplay and whether they're truly worth the cost. A WoW boost refers to the service of paying to elevate your character's level, gear, or achievements faster than normal. These services can be offered by Blizzard itself or third-party providers, each promising different results such as power leveling, raid carries, or PvP rank boosts. The appeal lies in saving time, especially for players who can't commit long hours to in-game progress. For newer players or returning veterans, a WoW boost can provide instant access to high-level content without the slow grind through older zones. Whether it's catching up with friends or diving into endgame raids, boosting offers convenience that traditional gameplay sometimes lacks. However, this shortcut comes with its own set of compromises, especially for those who value the immersive journey that World of Warcraft is known for. One of the main reasons players opt for a WoW boost is the time saved. Traditional gameplay can take weeks or even months to level a character to max level, gear up, and be raid-ready. Boosting compresses that time into mere hours, allowing immediate participation in high-tier activities. For working professionals or casual players with limited gaming hours, this can be a huge advantage. On the flip side, traditional gameplay offers a rewarding journey filled with character development, story immersion, and the thrill of unlocking achievements through effort. Skipping these experiences with a WoW boost might result in missing the essence of the game—the grind, after all, is often where the strongest bonds and best memories are made in WoW. Leveling a character the traditional way teaches a lot about class mechanics, rotations, abilities, and situational awareness. You become more adept at your role by practicing through quests, dungeons, and world events. This learning curve is crucial, especially in higher-level content where split-second decisions and coordination matter. By contrast, when you use a WoW boost, you might find yourself suddenly thrust into endgame scenarios without the foundational knowledge needed to excel. This can lead to frustration, underperformance, and in some cases, being excluded from groups. While boosting gets you there faster, it doesn't necessarily prepare you for the challenges ahead—something traditional players usually handle better thanks to their hands-on journey. In traditional gameplay, you naturally meet people through leveling zones, dungeon groups, and guild activities. These connections often blossom into lasting friendships, adding a social dimension to your WoW experience. From running battlegrounds together to grinding rep or farming mounts, these shared activities strengthen your connection to the game and its community. Using a WoW boost, however, often skips that phase entirely. You may log in with a high-level character but feel isolated due to a lack of social roots. While it's still possible to make friends post-boost, it usually takes more intentional effort. The sense of progression and camaraderie developed over time is something a boost simply can't replicate. From a financial standpoint, WoW boost services can range anywhere from affordable to premium pricing depending on what's being offered. For some, spending money to save time makes perfect sense, especially when gaming hours are limited. It's a trade-off between money and time, and many find this transaction worthwhile for the convenience. However, traditional gameplay comes at no additional cost beyond your subscription. Everything you earn—be it gear, mounts, or achievements—feels truly earned. For players who value effort and authenticity, this makes every item and milestone more meaningful. A WoW boost might offer instant gratification, but it rarely carries the emotional weight of self-earned success. The use of WoW boost services, particularly those offered by third-party providers, raises ethical concerns. Some argue that it gives an unfair advantage to those who can afford it, undermining the hard work of others who play the game traditionally. It also contributes to a pay-to-win culture that many gamers push back against. Furthermore, third-party boosting can violate Blizzard's terms of service, putting your account at risk of suspension or bans. Although Blizzard offers its own version of boosts, the prevalence of unofficial services has created a gray area that questions the integrity of the game. Traditional gameplay, in contrast, keeps players firmly within the rules and fosters a more equitable playing environment. Players who grind their way through the game tend to stay longer and have more attachment to their characters. The journey itself becomes part of the narrative, and each milestone reached contributes to a deep sense of accomplishment. Traditional gameplay provides a layered experience that evolves over time. With a WoW boost, some players report feeling disconnected or bored after reaching the top. The lack of struggle makes endgame content less satisfying, and without that emotional investment, burnout can set in quickly. While boosting provides a fast entry point, it may not guarantee long-term satisfaction if players miss the foundational joys of the game. Despite its drawbacks, there are scenarios where using a WoW boost makes logical sense. Returning players who already experienced the grind in the past may not want to repeat it. Boosting can help them catch up and enjoy new expansions without redoing content they've already mastered. Similarly, alts can be boosted to avoid repetitive leveling while diversifying gameplay. It's all about perspective and personal goals. If your focus is on raiding with friends, participating in guild wars, or experiencing late-game storylines, a WoW boost might be a viable tool. But for first-time players or those who enjoy the immersive aspects of WoW, traditional gameplay is still the more enriching path. Ultimately, the decision between a WoW boost and traditional gameplay boils down to what kind of player you are. Do you value time efficiency over experience, or do you prefer the rich storytelling and gradual growth that WoW was originally built on? Both options are valid, depending on your schedule, goals, and play style. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some players enjoy mixing both—leveling their first character the traditional way and then boosting alts later on. Others use boosts as a gateway to content they'd otherwise never reach due to time constraints. Understanding the pros and cons of each method can help you make the most informed and satisfying choice. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Splitgate 2 Boss Says $80 Skin Bundle 'Slipped Through The Cracks'
1047 studio head Ian Proulx courted controversy at Summer Game Fest last week by taking shots at Call of Duty and wearing a hat with the MAGA-infused slogan 'Make FPS Great Again.' But it was his new multiplayer shooter's eye-popping microtransactions that subsequently turned Splitgate 2 into an online punching bag, and Proulx is now blaming some of those prices on an ex-employee who he says used to work on Call of Duty. One item in particular, an $80 skin bundle called Nano Swarm, quickly made the rounds. While Proulx talked on stage at Geoff Keighley's showcase about his love of old Halo LAN parties and wanting Titanfall 3, his free-to-play arena shooter was plastered with expensive microtransactions and about to get a new battle royale mode, undercutting his critiques of other modern live-service games like Black Ops 6. A silver-colored portal animation from the Nano Swarm bundle alone was originally priced at $34. Proulx has been taking the opportunity to keep posting through the controversy over the weekend, including slashing the prices on all cosmetics and releasing short video diaries updating players on the status of 1047's post-launch priorities for Splitgate 2. 'I've had a lot of people ask me, 'How the hell did this happen in the first place, like an $80 bundle, that's not the 1047 way?'' he said. 'I agree and I thought I would just candidly tell you exactly what happened. So I'll start by saying no excuse of course like I should have been on this, we should have been on top of this. He contionued: The second I got off that stage I called Derek our lead game designer and I said 'Derek did you know we had an $80 bundle, this is news to me, like what the heck, that makes no sense,' and he didn't. Essentially what happened out former head of monetization who happened to come from call of duty was with us for less than a year and was very aggressive on price. Actually prior to his departure we actually originally had founders packs for $100 and battle passes for $10 and the first thing Derek and I did when we revaluated everything a month ago was slash those things so founders went from $100 to $60 and we actually added in game currently that the game originally wasn't going to have we decreased the battle pass from $10 to $5 but unfortunately things slipped through the cracks. In addition to shifting the blame to a past employee and once again trying to beef with Call of Duty, Proulx's explanation doesn't entirely square with the studio's defending of the pricey cosmetics just days prior. 'This pack features our most unique skins with complex animations & artwork,' the official Splitgate 2 account posted back on Friday. 'We have a variety of cheaper options. The game is free to play, & you don't need to buy anything to enjoy it to its fullest. Nothing is pay to win & never will be.' So did the bundle 'slip through the cracks,' or is 1047 just backtracking now in the face of players revolting against a hostile monetization strategy that violates the 'old school' ethos Splitgate 2 wants to cultivate? People have pointed out on the subreddit that the problem isn't just that the prices started out to high. The shooter's in-game shop is also full of slimy practices like fake inflated discounts and currency mismatches so players always have to overspend to get what they want. 'Honestly, the store and its prices really feel like something out of a gacha game, except for the fact I don't think I know of any gachas that have you preorder [battle] passes,' wrote one player. 'Great gameplay, terrible business model,' wrote another. Splitgate 2 is currently sitting at mixed reviews on Steam, though Proulx said the free-to-play shooter reached over 2 million players over the weekend. We'll see if the sequel can stick around longer than its predecessor did. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
