Discord launches Nitro Rewards, giving subscribers access to the base tier of Xbox Game Pass for no extra cost

On Monday, Discord announced the debut of Nitro Rewards, a program designed to enhance the experience for Nitro subscribers by offering additional perks from various gaming and lifestyle brands at no extra charge. Nitro, which already provides users with enhanced features such as improved profile customization, HD streaming capabilities, and the ability to upload files up to 500 MB, remains an optional subscription service. This approach allows users to engage with the platform without any financial commitment, a strategy that Discord intentionally embraces. Stanislav Vishnevskiy, co-founder and CTO of Discord, emphasized that the goal of Nitro has always been to meaningfully elevate the user experience while ensuring that free users are not significantly restricted. With the launch of Nitro Rewards, both Nitro Basic ($2.99 monthly) and Nitro ($9.99 monthly) subscribers can now enjoy exclusive access to the base tier of Xbox Game Pass. This subscription tier provides the opportunity to play over 50 games on PC and Xbox, including popular titles such as Fallout 4, Stardew Valley, and Day Z. Additionally, subscribers will benefit from 10 hours of cloud gaming, allowing them to stream games from a PC or Xbox to various devices. In addition to gaming access, Nitro Rewards will also offer discounts ranging from 15% to 30% on select gaming hardware from well-known brands like Logitech G, SteelSeries, and KontrolFreak. Discord aims to expand these partnerships over time, further enhancing the value of its Nitro subscription. Vishnevskiy highlighted the significance of Nitro as a primary revenue source for Discord, which has been experiencing consistent growth each year. "This initiative is a way to express gratitude to our subscribers for their support while also improving retention by offering more value," he stated. Originally launched as a communication platform for gamers, Discord has evolved into a vital community hub for a diverse array of users—ranging from crypto enthusiasts collaborating on decentralized projects to locals organizing craft nights. The platform now boasts over 90 million daily active users, which presents new challenges in online safety comparable to those faced by larger social media networks. In response to these challenges, Discord is preparing to implement age-verification measures as it navigates an increasing number of lawsuits concerning online safety for minors.