Discord’s Guilds experiment is wrapping up, but some features may live on

Discord’s grand experiment with Guilds is officially coming to an end in the next few weeks. If you were part of the exclusive group that got to try out this feature, it’s time to say your goodbyes — or at least prepare for a shift in how these tight-knit communities function.

For those who missed the memo, Guilds were essentially small, exclusive Discord servers designed for gamers who regularly play together. Think of them as the VIP lounge for your gaming squad — complete with an application process, unique branding, and even fancy Guild tags and badges to flex all over Discord. Guilds maxed out at 200 members, ensuring that they remained cozy and community-driven.

According to the updated Guilds FAQ page, Discord is pulling the plug on the experiment, meaning Guilds will no longer be available soon. However, it’s not all doom and gloom — some features from the Guilds experience might live on as separate experiments. Translation: Discord is cherry-picking the best parts to keep around in some form.

If you’ve been running a Guild, now’s the time to back up any important info and start thinking about how to keep your community intact post-Guilds. Since Guilds were built on existing servers, chances are Discord will offer ways to transition back to a regular server setup without completely losing the structure you built. However, specific details on this transition are still unclear.

Discord hasn’t revealed exactly which features might stick around, but it’s possible that things like the Guild application system, unique branding options, or even the concept of small, game-focused groups could find new life in other parts of the platform. Considering how much effort went into designing Guilds, it’s unlikely Discord will just toss everything in the trash.

With Guilds heading into the sunset, we’ll have to keep an eye on what Discord experiments with next. The platform has been on a roll lately, testing all sorts of new ideas to keep users engaged, including a desktop app redesign. Whether that means more exclusive communities, new ways to recruit members, or enhanced server customization, something fresh is probably on the horizon.

For now, if you’re in a Guild, enjoy the last moments while they last — and keep an eye out for whatever Discord cooks up next.