- Discord has released a major update for Linux users
- Gaming and screen sharing have been improved with hardware-accelerated video encoding now supported via Nvidia, AMD and Intel GPUs
- It comes as users remain frustrated with global age verification plans
Discord on Linux, especially on Steam Deck or SteamOS handhelds, has been plagued by functionality issues, and a new update has finally fixed them — but users aren’t buying it.
As reported by TweakTown, Discord announced a new major update for Linux in a video titled ‘The Year of the Linux Desktop’ that brings significant improvements to game (or screen) capture capabilities, including minor updates to notifications and game detection.
In particular, hardware-accelerated video encoding is now supported on Nvidia, AMD, and Intel GPUs for Discord, for better video quality without compromising game performance.
Discord will also capture games using Vulkan or Valve’s Gamescope, and that’s good news for devices like the Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS, as more system resources can be used on games, ultimately improving performance and battery life while streaming to friends.
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That’s all well and good in the eyes of Discord users on Linux, and it’s even joined the year of the Linux desktop meme (essentially the hope that Linux will surpass Windows) — and this update has certainly taken it one step closer to that, but it’s not enough to win fans.
Instead, the comments on the video are consistent with users saying it’s ‘age verification’ and criticizing Discord for its global age verification plans, which are still slated for late 2026.
This big Linux update comes around the same time as the Discord and Xbox collaboration, which gives Nitro users access to a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass. It looks like Discord is trying its best to soften the blow from its controversial move, but it’s quite clear that users aren’t willing to let the age verification issues go.
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