Discord, the popular communication platform for gamers, has appointed a new CEO, Humam Sakhnini, former Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard, amidst rumors of an impending initial public offering (IPO). This move marks a significant shift in the company's focus, as it refocuses on its gaming roots and explores monetization opportunities in advertising and micro-transactions.

Sakhnini's appointment comes as Discord co-founder Jason Citron steps down from his CEO role after 13 years at the helm. Citron will remain involved with the company as an advisor to the CEO and a member of the board of directors. In an interview with Venture Beat, Citron expressed his desire to take a break and focus on his personal gaming interests, including playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Blue Prince, and Baldur's Gate III.

Discord's decision to appoint a CEO from within the gaming industry signals a significant shift in its strategy. Despite its initial emergence as a platform for online multiplayer gamers to communicate, Discord has grown to become a prominent social media platform with over 200 million monthly active users. However, the company's new direction suggests that it sees its future more closely tied to the gaming industry than social networking.

The company's press release highlighted its refocused efforts on gaming, citing opportunities in advertising and micro-transactions. While this move may be seen as a natural progression for the company, it may also raise concerns among gamers who are wary of the platform becoming more commercialized. Sakhnini's background as CEO of King, a mobile gaming developer known for its ad-heavy and micro-transaction-based games like Candy Crush, may only add to these concerns.

The impending IPO, rumored to be in the works, may also contribute to the company's shift towards monetization. As Discord prepares to go public, it will need to demonstrate its ability to generate revenue and grow its business. The appointment of Sakhnini, with his experience in the gaming industry, may be seen as a strategic move to position the company for success in this new phase.

Despite the potential concerns, Discord's shift towards gaming and monetization may ultimately benefit the platform and its users. By focusing on its core audience and exploring new revenue streams, Discord may be able to improve its services and offer more value to its users. As the company navigates this new direction, it will be important to balance its commercial goals with the needs and expectations of its user base.

As Discord looks to the future, its new CEO and refocused strategy will be closely watched by the gaming and tech communities. With its massive user base and significant influence in the gaming industry, Discord's decisions have the potential to shape the future of online gaming and social media.