Discord reportedly to stay independent, ends aquisition talks with Microsoft

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Discord, the gaming focused chat, audio, and video platform, has ended talks with Microsoft on a reported $10 billion acquisition deal. The talks “have ended without a deal, though it is possible they could be rekindled in the future,” according to the report. The Journal’s sources said that “Discord is performing well and prefers to stay independent at this time.” Microsoft reportedly was in the late stages of “exclusive” talks to acquire the company, but it looks like the deal won’t happen.

Microsoft has apparently been looking for ways to expand its presence in social media, but has yet to pull the trigger on a big acquisition, failing to acquire Pinterest, TikTok, and now Discord. Microsoft’s early foray into gaming related chat and sharing with Beam, which became Mixer, ended the closure of the ill-fated service last year.

Discord has hired a finance chief, Tomasz Marcinowski, coincidentally formerly from Pinterest, in a move that could signal an upcoming IPO.

We’ll continue to keep tabs on the fate of Discord, and any other potential acquisitions Microsoft attempts with its $2 trillion market cap.