Just over a month ago came reports that Microsoft was in the running to buy Discord Inc., one of the world’s biggest gaming community platforms in a deal potentially worth over $10 billion.
At the time Discord was approaching potential buyers before deciding if they’ll sell the company or go public. The Microsoft offer was rejected shortly after as it seemed Discord was going to stay independent.
Now, in a surprise twist, the chat service used by more than 140 million people every month has announced a deal with Microsoft rival Sony that will bring Discord integration to the PlayStation Network starting early next year.
Ryan confirmed that teams are already at work making it so that Discord will connect to the PlayStation Network:
“Our goal is to bring the Discord and PlayStation experiences closer together on console and mobile starting early next year, allowing friends, groups, and communities to hang out, have fun, and communicate more easily while playing games together.”
Sony Interactive Entertainment has also made a minority investment as part of Discord’s Series H round.
The news comes as, despite plenty of good press for the much more cash-rich Microsoft Xbox of late, the PlayStation 5 continues to widen the gap between itself and its competitors with 7.76 million consoles sold so far in its first 23 weeks – even with a stock shortage due to the global semiconductor crisis.
In comparison, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S sold 4.67 million consoles and the long-running Nintendo Switch sold 5 million units over the same period. The PS5 recently released the sci-fi shooter “Returnal” to very good reviews but soft sales so far.
Source: The Verge
