Discord, the popular online gaming platform, and social media service, is set to undergo a major change as it phases out the four-digit tag that follows an individual's username.
This change marks a significant shift away from the platform's roots as a gaming platform to a space more closely resembling mainstream social networks like Twitter and Instagram.
Introducing Discord's New Unique Alphanumeric Username System
The update will prompt most users to switch their usernames, replacing the four-number identifier with a unique alphanumeric combination, including special characters, spaces, and emojis.
According to the story by The Verge, in place of their previous alias, users can enter a non-unique display name.
Discord, a well-known voice and text chat service that started out as a gaming platform, is shifting away from its four-digit tag system, which appends a suffix to each user's name to differentiate them from others with the same name.
Starting in the next few weeks, users can choose a unique alphanumeric username with an "@" symbol in front of it and a unique display name that includes special characters, spaces, emoji, and non-Latin characters.
The Benefits of Ditching Four-Number Tags for Usernames on Discord
Discord's co-founder, Stanislav Vishnevskiy, explains that the decision made it "easier to connect" with other users and helped users memorize and share their names with friends.
The company notes that although the four numbers have been a defining part of the Discord experience, they have become "technical debt" that has not been "adequately addressed."
In the blog post announcing the update, Vishnevskiy acknowledges that the change will shock longtime users, especially those who have grown attached to their four-number tags, as detailed further in an official blog post by Discord.
To make things smoother, Discord will prioritize users who have been with the platform for a long time and enable them to select their new usernames sooner. Additionally, they can still use their old usernames and the associated suffix as aliases, meaning their friends can still find them.
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Removing the Four-Digit Tag: Discord's New Username System
Change can be difficult, so it is understandable that old-time users hesitate to let go of the four-digit tags. In any case, this update will provide a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for Discord users. It is a reminder that the service strives to give its users the best experience possible.
Discord is making a major change to its usernames by removing the four-digit tag previously appended. In a blog post, the company explained that the tag had become "technical debt" and made usernames difficult to memorize and share.
They are replacing the tags with unique alphanumeric usernames supported by the "@" symbol, making them more like popular social networks, detailed on Discord's support page.
Users of the platform have mixed emotions regarding this change since it forces them to select a new username which means longtime Discord users will need to say goodbye to the digits they had associated their user with for years.
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