{{Short description|Defunct online communications platform}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox software | logo = [[File:Guilded Logomark Wordmark Black.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]] | logo size = 200px | logo alt = | collapsible = yes | screenshot = | screenshot alt = | caption = Screenshot of Guilded, 2024 | author = Guilded, Inc. | developer = {{Plainlist| *[[Roblox Corporation]] }} | released = {{Start date and age|2017|03|17}} | discontinued = yes | latest release version = v9.0.8 | latest release date = {{Start date and age|2025|12|19}} | latest preview version = | latest preview date = | programming language = [[Node.js]] | operating system = | included with = | language = English | genre = [[VoIP]] communications, [[instant messaging]], [[content delivery]], [[collaborative software]], and [[social media]] | license = [[Proprietary license|Proprietary]] | website = {{URL|https://www.guilded.gg}} (now inactive) }}
'''Guilded''' was a [[Voice over IP|VoIP]], [[instant messaging]], and [[digital distribution]] platform designed by Guilded Inc. and was bought by [[Roblox Corporation]] on August 16, 2021 for $90 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-16|title=Roblox Announcement|url=https://corp.roblox.com/2021/08/16/roblox-acquires-guilded-platform-connect-gaming-communities/|access-date=2022-10-09|archive-date=October 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009140721/https://corp.roblox.com/2021/08/16/roblox-acquires-guilded-platform-connect-gaming-communities/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since then, Guilded had been integrated with [[Roblox]]. The company was based in [[San Francisco]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Thapa|first=Anuz|date=August 17, 2021|title=What Is Guilded?|work=[[TheStreet]]|url=https://www.thestreet.com/latest-news/roblox-acquired-guilded|access-date=September 25, 2021}}</ref> Users communicated with voice calls, video calls, text messaging, media and files in private chats or as part of communities called "servers".<ref name="crunch">{{Cite web|last=Matney|first=Lucas|date=2020-05-01|title=Guilded raises over $7 million for its competitive gaming-focused chat app|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/01/guilded-raises-7-million-for-its-competitive-gaming-focused-chat-app/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-30|website=[[TechCrunch]]|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817144843/https://techcrunch.com/2020/05/01/guilded-raises-7-million-for-its-competitive-gaming-focused-chat-app/}}</ref> Guilded was founded by Eli Brown, a former [[Facebook, Inc.|Facebook]] and [[Xbox]] employee.<ref name=":1" /> Guilded was available on [[Windows]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[iOS]]. == Features == Guilded was a main competitor of [[Discord]] and primarily focused on [[Video game culture|video game communities]], such as those focused on [[competitive gaming]] and [[esports]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="crunch" /> It provided features intended for [[Video-gaming clan|video gaming clans]], such as scheduling tools and integrated calendars.<ref name="crunch" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=Roblox acquires game chat startup Guilded|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/16/roblox-acquires-game-chat-startup-guilded/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=[[VentureBeat]]|language=en-US|archive-date=August 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821004612/https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/16/roblox-acquires-game-chat-startup-guilded/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The platform distinguished itself by offering higher performance specifications for free users compared to competitors, including 1080p resolution streaming at 60fps, 256kbps audio bitrate, and a 500MB file upload limit. In addition to standard communication tools, Guilded featured specialized organizational channels including "whisper" groups for nested voice chat, Kanban boards, and collaborative document editing similar to [[Google Docs]]. == History == Guilded was developed by Guilded, Inc., which had been an independent product group of Roblox from August 16, 2021, to December 19, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Matney|first=Lucas|date=2021-08-16|title=Roblox acquires Discord competitor Guilded|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/16/roblox-acquires-discord-competitor-guilded/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=[[TechCrunch]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=La Monica|first=Paul R.|date=2021-08-16|title=Roblox wants to rule the metaverse|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/16/investing/roblox-stock-earnings/index.html|access-date=2021-09-24|website=[[CNN Business]]}}</ref> === Account integration mandate === On May 31, 2024, Roblox Corporation announced that all current accounts must have a Roblox account linked before July 15, 2024 to continue using their Guilded account, while new users will only have the option to sign up with Roblox.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update to Guilded login requirements |url=https://www.guilded.gg/blog/update-to-guilded-login-requirements |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601044323/https://www.guilded.gg/blog/update-to-guilded-login-requirements |archive-date=2024-06-01 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Guilded - Chat for Gaming Communities |language=en}}</ref> This requirement led to a departure of non-Roblox gaming communities, particularly independent [[MMORPG]] guilds and [[First-person shooter|FPS]] clans, many of whom cited privacy concerns and a desire for platform neutrality as reasons for migrating back to Discord. On October 12, 2024, Roblox Corporation restricted access for Guilded users in Russia, citing concerns that Guilded could be blocked in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ömer |date=2024-10-13 |title=Russia is now banning Discord alternative apps! |url=https://en.shiftdelete.net/russia-is-now-banning-discord-alternative-apps/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=ShiftDelete.Net Global |language=en-US}}</ref> Russian users reported receiving "403 Forbidden" errors due to changes in [[Amazon CloudFront]] configurations intended to comply with U.S. sanctions, which geoblocked the region without prior warning. === Discontinuation === On September 29, 2025, Roblox Corporation announced that Guilded would shut down by the end of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update on Guilded and Communities |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/update-on-guilded-and-communities/3966775 |date=2025-09-29 |access-date=2025-10-08 |website=Roblox Dev Forum}}</ref> Roblox stated the closure was part of an effort to unify social features into "Roblox Communities," a similar toolset integrated directly into Roblox. In the months leading up to the shutdown, the platform provided server owners with an export tool to archive message history and media. On December 19th, 2025, the Guilded website was shut down and now redirects visitors to Roblox's Communities feature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guilded - Chat for Gaming Communities |url=https://www.guilded.gg/blog/guilded-shut-down-12-19-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251015042921/https://www.guilded.gg/blog/guilded-shut-down-12-19-25 |archive-date=2025-10-15 |access-date= |website=Guilded - Chat for Gaming Communities |language=en}}</ref> Upon the shutdown, the desktop and mobile applications ceased functionality, displaying only a "Sunset" notification screen.
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Instant messaging}} {{Roblox Corporation}} [[Category:2017 software]] [[Category:Roblox]] [[Category:Android (operating system) software]] [[Category:Freeware]] [[Category:IOS software]] [[Category:Instant messaging clients for Linux]] [[Category:Instant messaging clients]] [[Category:Internet properties established in 2017]] [[Category:MacOS instant messaging clients]] [[Category:Proprietary freeware for Linux]] [[Category:Voice over IP clients for Linux]] [[Category:Windows instant messaging clients]] [[Category:Internet properties disestablished in 2025]] [[Category:Discontinued software]] [[Category:Defunct instant messaging clients]]