Discord's New Game Mode Cuts CPU and GPU Load
Discord is developing a Game Mode that reduces animations and disables effects during gameplay to free up CPU and GPU resources.
Discord has confirmed that a new resource-light "Game Mode" is in development. The feature will automatically reduce animations and disable effects when it detects a game being played, aiming to free up CPU and GPU resources so games can run smoother.
The announcement did not mention any reduction in memory usage. This leaves open the question of whether Game Mode will address the app's memory footprint, which has been a long-standing concern for some users.
Late last year, Discord addressed memory issues by implementing a feature that restarted the app when memory usage exceeded 4 GB. At the time, a Discord representative said on Reddit that the restart measure was not meant to be permanent.
PC Gamer's own investigation into Discord's impact on gaming frame rates found no serious issues, suggesting that the app's effect on performance may be less severe than some users fear.
Discord has not provided a release date for Game Mode. The company says the feature is still in development.
Quick answers
What is Discord Game Mode?
Game Mode is a new resource-light mode in development that automatically reduces animations and disables effects when it detects a game being played, freeing up CPU and GPU resources.
Will Discord Game Mode reduce memory usage?
Discord's announcement does not mention reducing memory usage. The mode is focused on freeing up CPU and GPU resources.
When will Discord Game Mode be released?
No release date has been announced. Discord confirmed the feature is in development.