Discord launches 'Verified Servers' for game developers and publishers

The makers of chat-and-other-stuff software Discord announced a new feature today called Verified Servers, which as the name suggests gives developers and publishers their very own official Discord servers. Verified servers will be run entirely by game companies, and are meant to give players a place to "get official news and updates, engage with devs, and connect with other likeminded fans." 

Developers and publishers with verified servers will have access to "perks" including a vanity URL, a customizable splash page, and a "verified" badge next to their server name, much like the blue checkmark on Twitter. More than 100 companies, ranging from Supercell to Microsoft and PUBG Corp, are currently taking part in the program.   

There are some specific, and rather stringent, requirements for running a verified server. "You’ll need to have a team of moderators to assist in keeping the server a fun and appropriate place," according to the server requirements page, and you'll also have to set the Moderation Level to a minimum of "Medium," meaning that "users must have had their account for more than five minutes in order to participate in the server."

There's also an Explicit Content Filter that must be set to scan all messages, "to prevent anything unsightly." Each channel on the server must have permissions set appropriately, and notifications have to be restricted to "only @mentions." 

One other restriction is probably the most immediately relevant one of all for fans: Verified servers will only be granted to official outlets. Community servers can take part in the Discord Partners program, but "we won't be verifying community-led servers," Discord said. Nor will they be given to non-gaming operations, a rep added, although "Discord is always open to discussions with other companies."

Gaming is Discord's bread and butter, of course, and it's both a very good platform (we called it "the best VoIP service available" to gamers last year) and a a tremendously popular one: The company said it currently boasts more than 45 million monthly users. We've even got one of our own, available to members of the PC Gamer Club, which—in case hanging out with us isn't enough incentive—will also get you ad-free access to the site, a free game every month, a digital mag subscription, and (wowzah!) a hi-res Tub Geralt wallpaper. 

Details about the new Verified Servers, and a link to apply for one if you meet the requirements, are up at discordapp.com

Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.