03/04/2025
Discord releases free Social SDK for game developers at GDC
Discord is releasing a Social SDK, a free tool for game developers that integrates the platform’s renowned social features directly into their games. The announcement was made at the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.
“While the industry continues to face hard challenges, GDC stays strong as a place where the most passionate, creative minds from across the world come together and connect over their love of games,” said Stanislav Vishnevskiy, CTO and Co-Founder of Discord.
The Discord Social SDK aims to empower game developers of all sizes by allowing them to incorporate Discord’s social functionalities, enhancing multiplayer experiences and player connectivity.
Key features of the Discord Social SDK
The SDK – compatible with games built using C++, Unreal Engine, and Unity – currently supports Windows 11+ and macOS, with console and mobile support planned for future releases. It leverages the same technology used by Discord’s over 200 million monthly active users.
Unified friends list: This feature consolidates Discord and in-game friends lists, enabling players to stay connected across platforms.
Deeplink game invites: Players can send direct invites from their in-game friends list to Discord friends, facilitating seamless party, lobby, and session joins.
Rich presence: This displays a player’s gaming activity on their Discord profile, enabling one-click game joins and increasing game visibility.
Flexible account requirements: Players can enjoy unified social experiences without needing a Discord account, though account linking is available for enhanced engagement.