Discord is changing how usernames work, including truncating the four digits at the end of each handle. The chat platform announced the change via an official blog post On the 3rd of May. The announcement states that the change will be rolled out “in the coming weeks.”
At the moment, Discord allows users to choose any username and then lock that name with a random four-digit code. This means that thousands of users can all choose the name MasterChiefFan420 without conflicting with each other. Users can also customize their code through Discord Nitro, the platform’s subscription service. Now each user must choose a new, unique username. “New usernames are lowercase, alphanumeric, restricted to certain special characters, and have no distinguishing features, making them easier to remember, read, type, and share,” the blog post reads.
Usernames are limited to 32 characters and restricted in certain ways. For example, a handle must not attempt to impersonate or impersonate Discord staff, server messages, or any other person, group, or organization. It’s unclear how Discord intends to enforce this policy or verify user identities, especially given the way verification-related fiascos have played out on Twitter.
While users must choose a unique handle, they can still use friendly names. As Discord explains it: “[A display name] is your most prominent form of identity on Discord, and that’s how other users will see you in DMs that don’t have a friend nickname set, on servers that don’t have a server nickname set, and other places like friend requests.”
With the new system, users have a unique username, a display name, and, if they choose, server-specific handles. If you’re using Discord, the app will notify you if you have permission to choose your new username and set a display name. The change will roll out to legacy accounts first, allowing veterans of the platform to be the first to choose a new name for their account.
