I absolutely love Discord. And no, I’m not getting paid to say this! When a gaming tool can accomplish so much and has the potential to evolve into a work platform, it’s impossible to overlook its value.

Why Discord?

Simply put, it has become the go-to hub for gamers and developers alike, thanks to its seamless integration of voice, video, and text communication. For indie developers, building a strong Discord community goes beyond just having a fan base; it creates an ecosystem where players feel connected and engaged.

Using Discord effectively can significantly boost player engagement and support for your game. By fostering interaction and involvement, you transform players from mere users into contributors, advocates, and loyal fans. This is how community development for indie games flourishes, turning players into passionate supporters of your gaming vision.

Key Benefits

• Every server member is a potential buyer of your game.
• Each member can help you refine your game.
• Players can provide feedback on whether your game resonates with them.
• They can identify bugs in the game and assist in development.
• You can validate your ideas and concepts.
• Discover what matters most to your audience.
• Every member may also purchase your NEXT game.
• And so much more!

I won’t bore you with the basics of how Discord works; there are manuals, support pages, and countless tutorials available for that. Instead, I’ll share some ideas on how you can attract and retain gamers in your community, allowing you to harness the valuable potential at your fingertips.

While maintaining an active community on Discord offers numerous advantages, I must clarify that it isn’t the only way to engage with players. It’s not easy to establish or manage a server, but the outcomes can be rewarding if you’re genuinely invested in your game. Before creating a server, consider starting with a newsletter. Not everyone prefers Discord, but nearly everyone has an email inbox. Setting up a newsletter is simple and practical; just ask for an email address, and your followers won’t need to do anything else.

So, without further delay, here are some strategies for attracting more players, keeping them engaged, making them feel valued, and allowing them to help shape a better indie game.

1. Prepare the server to welcome members.

This may seem basic, but it’s essential. Create roles based on user backgrounds—whether they are developers, genre enthusiasts, or fans of your game. Allow members to choose their roles and understand the community rules; you want to cultivate a positive environment.

Why? Identifying whether someone is a developer or an average gamer will streamline bug identification. Knowing your audience helps you prioritize issues and understand how to approach different conversations. Additionally, having diverse roles gives you insight into potential buyers versus those interested in learning about your development process.

2. Create Specialized Channels with Clear Purposes

Themed channels foster focused discussions. Here are some suggestions:

• Bug Reports
• Introductions
• Memes
• Game Ideas
• General Chat
• Lore Discussions (characters, factions, etc.)
• Creative Channels (e.g., “Gif of the Month” or “Funniest Game Bug”)

These channels allow players to share their thoughts and emotions regarding your game, helping you identify areas for improvement and new development opportunities.

Be prepared to gather data from important channels like bug reports or game ideas. Start with a simple spreadsheet to track issues based on user feedback. Look for patterns; if more than eight users report the same issue, it’s time to address it.

Start small with channel creation; too many channels can become overwhelming. Monitor growth and encourage community input on what additional channels might be necessary.

Utilize Discord’s built-in tools like polls, bots, and gamification features to keep things dynamic and measurable.

3. Always have something to say and say it

In addition to the channels mentioned above, create one or two announcement channels where only you can post updates. This is crucial for keeping your community informed about game launches, updates, or new content. Pay attention to reactions; monitor comments in response channels to gauge feedback.

In these announcement channels, share:

• Behind-the-scenes developments (level designs, character art)
• Lessons learned for fellow developers
• Sneak peeks of upcoming content (screenshots, trailers)
• Important announcements (launch dates, countdowns)

4. Spend some time talking to your community 1 on 1, well not literally

Host live AMAs (Ask Me Anything) sessions where you can spend 20-30 minutes discussing player comments or chatting informally. Be open to criticism but strive to make members feel heard. This is a primary reason players join Discord communities—they want to be acknowledged.

5. Celebrate your community

While I’m not a fan of pushing followers for fan art or contests—since genuine passion usually drives that—it’s vital to acknowledge feedback and contributions. Recognize members’ efforts in testing or providing insights by sharing their achievements on social media or simply giving them a shout-out.

As your community grows, they may naturally create fan art or other content worth celebrating.

Extra: Rewards are also a thing on discord membership

Let’s be honest; many of us join game Discord servers because we hear about potential freebies. Consider this aspect for your own community. Rewards could include early access to demos, virtual currency (if applicable), customized character accessories, or special distinctions for members who meet certain criteria (like donating or winning competitions).

I hope these ideas help you as a developer expand and engage your community on Discord. But remember—these strategies are only effective if you actively apply them toward your game strategy. Gather data, analyze it, and respond accordingly.

Also don’t forget to mention what we talked about here on whatever page you’ll promote your server; it’s also a technique of its own to attract users to another Discord.

What other strategies do you think would work to engage a community on Discord?