# Discord Hires Activision Blizzard Veteran as CEO Amidst IPO Speculation

## Discord Hires Activision Blizzard Veteran as CEO Amidst IPO Speculation

Discord has appointed Humam Sakhnini, formerly Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard, as its new CEO, fueling speculation about a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO). The change at the top comes as co-founder Jason Citron steps down after 13 years in the role, transitioning to an advisory position.

Discord has evolved beyond its origins as a communication platform for gamers, growing into a prominent social media platform with over 200 million monthly active users. However, the appointment of Sakhnini signals a potential shift back towards the gaming industry. According to a press release from Discord, the company is “refocusing on its gaming roots” to explore new monetization strategies, including advertising and micro-transactions.

This potential pivot raises questions among users. Advertising and micro-transactions are often met with resistance by the gaming community. The selection of Sakhnini, coupled with ongoing IPO discussions, might lead to concerns about a more corporate and profit-driven future for the platform. Sakhnini previously served as CEO of King, a mobile gaming developer under Activision Blizzard known for its ad-heavy and micro-transaction-reliant games like Candy Crush.

While Citron will remain involved with Discord as an advisor and board member, he expressed eagerness to take a break after years of leading the rapidly expanding startup. In an interview with Venture Beat, Citron mentioned his intention to dedicate time to gaming, citing titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Blue Prince, and Baldur’s Gate III as his upcoming priorities.

Citron’s history with TechCrunch dates back to 2013 when he participated in the Startup Battlefield competition at Disrupt with a multiplayer online battle arena game for the iPad. Although the game faced financial difficulties, Citron’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch Discord just two years later, marking the beginning of the platform’s journey to becoming a dominant force in both the gaming and social media landscapes. The future direction of Discord under Sakhnini’s leadership remains to be seen, but the shift signifies a possible new era for the platform.