Discord got popular because of team speak and ventrilo requiring accounts and software, discord could be a link.z

I recall it hitting its stride during the beta of The Division because it was a quick and easy way to take comms out of the game in one of the first games where in game comms could be heard by others.

That’s when I first saw it picking up speed, before that typically team speak and ventrilo were the go to.

I’m sure there were other factors, this is just when I noticed it.