Discord announced today that it is launching Orbs, its new form of virtual reward-and-currency system, globally for all users. Users earn Orbs by completing Quests, in-app tasks that usually involve engaging with advertising, and then redeem them in the Shop for various rewards. These can include decorations, enhanced streaming features and limited access to Nitro, Discord’s premium subscription service, for free.
According to the company, Orbs are a new part of the in-app advertising experience, which it first launched last year. Discord reports that the impetus for Orbs came from a 2024 survey that saw 84% of respondents express interest in a virtual currency on the platform. The company ran a recent beta test of Orbs on the platform that saw a large amount of users making their first shop purchases and millions of Orbs spent over a seven-week period.
Discord has recently increased its monetization efforts for both brands and creators alike. Last month, it gave creators the ability to sell memberships directly within Discord itself. In April, it revealed that it had launched 70 ad campaigns with Quests, generating millions of rewards within the first year.
Peter Sellis, Discord’s SVP of product, said in a statement, “By rewarding players with something they value, Discord is giving brands the ability to create an advertising experience that feels like gameplay. Our focus is solely on creating the most authentic, player-centric advertising platform in the galaxy. With the launch of Orbs, we’re helping brands drive discovery and engagement in a way that feels natural to how people already use Discord.”