BAYC Co-Founder Calls for Discord Alternative: Is a Better Platform Needed for Web3 Communities?
Gordon Goner, Co-founder of Yuga Labs, the company behind the wildly successful Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), believes the community deserves a better platform than Discord. Following security concerns, Goner tweeted, “Discord isn’t working for web3 communities. We need a better platform that puts security first.” This sentiment echoes concerns across the wider Crypto and NFT space, highlighting the limitations of current community engagement tools.
Discord's Security Shortcomings in Web3
The current reliance on Discord presents challenges for projects like BAYC. Bored Ape owners received special privileges, such as access to an exclusive Discord server. However, incidents have shown vulnerabilities. As far as Josh is concerned, these vulnerabilities put valuable digital assets and community members at risk.
BAYC's Forward-Thinking Approach to Community Input
Despite the platform limitations, the BAYC community remains engaged and influential. Incorporating community input, BAYC has launched a token-gated survey for its vibrant 'Apes' to shape the NFT club's future. This commitment to decentralisation is central to BAYC's ethos.
BAYC & The Sandbox: A Metaverse Powerhouse
Last June, a large parcel of Sand was purchased by the exclusive NFT Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) team within the popular metaverse The Sandbox, generating greater visibility and integration between these leading web3 entities. This move demonstrates BAYC's commitment to expanding its reach beyond traditional social platforms.
Yuga Labs Redefining Web3 Community Engagement
In barely 24 months, Yuga Labs and the BAYC community have redefined what is possible in web3, putting decentralisation into the global conversation. The search for a more secure and functional community platform is a natural progression in this evolution. The collaborative graffiti area known as ‘The Bathroom’, a digital space accessible to BAYC holders, exemplifies the need for robust and secure community interactions.
The call for a Discord alternative underscores the growing pains of web3 communities. Will a new platform emerge to meet the unique needs of NFT projects and their members? Only time will tell.