Discord recently announced a complete overhaul of its Overlay feature to improve the game streaming experience on its platform.
In the previous version, Overlay allowed users to access Discord while playing games, but the interface often obstructed the screen by displaying the entire application. This made the user experience less convenient, especially for streamers.
With the latest version, Discord introduces a widget system that can be placed around the screen, allowing users to access messages and adjust audio and video settings without opening the full Discord app. These widgets can also be customized in terms of transparency, size, and position.
Additionally, the picture-in-picture feature now enables users to watch their friends’ live streams directly from the Overlay. For those playing in teams, this feature is especially useful for communication and coordination during gameplay. Users can also see their friends’ webcam feeds if they are in a video call.
Discord states that this updated Overlay is now compatible with more games and offers smoother performance compared to the previous version.
Beyond Overlay improvements, Discord is also updating its desktop application. Users can now choose from new dark themes such as Ash, Dark, and Onyx, as well as customize UI density for better readability.
These updates are particularly beneficial for creators who use Discord for community live streaming. However, casual users will also enjoy a more comfortable gaming experience with these quality-of-life enhancements.