Microsoft is in discussions to buy popular instant messaging and digital distribution platform Discord for more than $10 billion. That’s according to a report published by VentureBeat, whose sources have revealed that Discord has reached out to multiple parties regarding a potential sale. While other tech giants such as Amazon, Twitter, and Google have been named, Bloomberg seems confident that Microsoft is the front runner.
“Two sources familiar with the matter said that Discord is exploring its options for a sale in the wake of interest from multiple parties that want to buy the company,” VentureBeat reported. “And one source said the company has signed an exclusive acquisition discussion with one party, meaning it is in final negotiations about a sale.”
“Microsoft possibly acquiring Discord makes a lot of sense as it continues to reshape its gaming business more toward software and services,” said Bloomberg Intelligence Analyst Matthew Kanterman. “There’s a big opportunity to bundle Discord’s premium offering, Nitro, into the Game Pass service to drive more subscriptions from the last reported 18 million.”
Xbox chief Phil Spencer has reportedly been in direct talks with Discord, which isn’t surprising based on the platform’s potential for bolstering the Xbox brand and its related services. One source has warned that Discord is more likely to go public than sell itself to Microsoft, however.