The world of gaming is getting more crowded every minute. America has become saturated with over 19,500 video game publishers and developers, making it hard for entrepreneurs to stand out. However, one name resonates with every enthusiastic gamer in the country – Jason Citron!
He co-created a VoIP for the American gaming community and curated a holy grail for international gamers. So, what is that?
Introducing, Discord! Yes, if you are a gamer, you probably have this application installed on your phone or personal computer. Due to the effectiveness of this software, the user base shot from 45 million to 300 million in just 3 years.
All of this was possible due to the genius mind of everyone’s favorite geek, Jason Citron.
Do you want to know how he came to have a net worth of nearly $3 million? Read on to know about his life, salary, and more.
Who is Jason Citron, and How Old is He?
Jason Citron is a 37-year-old world-famous brain behind the widely used social platform for gamers. He was born on the 21st of September 1987 and started his entrepreneurial journey from a young age.
According to Discord’s company page, he is the company’s co-founder. However, he did receive help for this project which resulted in skyrocketing success over the years.
You might be wondering – who helped him create this software allowing people to harness the power of communication in the space of belongingness?
Stan Vishnevskiy and Jason Citron were childhood buddies with an innate love for video games. Before they founded Discord, Citron created OpenFeint, an effective social, mobile platform for games. Later in 2011, he sold it for $104 million to GREE.
He then pivoted from game development and focused on creating a community that celebrates the underappreciated gaming community.
Together, they both created a virtual space where other gamers could cherish their metaverse friendships. Hence, solving a huge problem and bringing players worldwide together through a love for video games.
Even though Discord did not receive overnight success, the owners stood firm with determination. In an interview, Jason Citron said, “I think, at the time, we had maybe six users; it was not clear that it was going to work.”
Since then, Discord has grown to become a significant entity featuring stream communities from various countries. Today, Citron is the CEO of Discord, while Vishnevskiy is the CTO.
Fun Fact: The Discord CEO earned an excellent 79/100 rating from his employees!
Jason Citron’s Biography – Career, Early Life, and More
Citron was born in San Francisco to a big business family. Ever since he was a little kid, his life had revolved around technology and the field of gaming with a highly creative and intelligent brain.
The little spark for coding turned into a flame due to his father’s constant support. Therefore, making him an expert in programming. Citron had already worked as a freelancer by the tender age of sixteen and wrote codes for different technology companies.
Jason Citron chose to follow his dreams and studied Master’s in Game Design and Development from Full Sail University.
After graduating, he honed his coding skills by programming the Eragon video game for Stormfront Studios. Then, he joined Double Fine and worked on console programming for games like Brutal Legend.
He co-founded the company OpenFeint in 2009 along with Danielle Cassaley after joining the community at YouWeb.
Apart from his career information, he likes to keep his life private. Yet, everyone knows that his inspiration to enhance the gaming world as an entrepreneur came from his business-minded family.
Also, his marital status is single, and he still lives with his family even after building such a fruitful career. Such an instance shows how much he cares and appreciates his parents. Moreover, he frequently travels to Florida for work and to spend time with his friends.
Indeed, his love and obsession for technology and entrepreneurship made him what he is today. Because of him, Discord is now one of the largest platforms for gamers to connect, with over 300 million users.
What Is His Net Worth and Salary?
Source: MarketRealist
There are no definitive answers disclosed about Jason Citron’s net worth. However, unconfirmed sources claim it to be around $3 million.
On the other hand, some instances suggest his net worth to be $1.8 million.
Even though there are no confirmations for the same, there is a way to estimate it. You can look at Discord’s compensation to their executive-level employees and run a number. According to Comparably, there is a report on the “most compensated executive.”
It averages the highest annual income at around $427, 000, whereas $65,000 is the lowest.
You can calculate the total asset value by combining the $104 million he got at 26. He lives in the Bay Area of San Francisco, making his cost of living on the higher side. However, there is no data on his real estate, investment, or cash holdings, so you cannot calculate the liabilities and subtract them.
Discord has a worth of $15 billion with over 750 employees. You can compare this vast number with the average median salary, living costs, and minimal asset information.
All of these combined ensure that the net worth range between $1.8 million to $3 million seems legit for the CEO of Discord.
It was possible because Citron managed to focus on productivity and efficiency properly.
Top Things You Did Not Know About the CEO of Discord
No matter how famous someone might be, there would always be things that the audience remains oblivious about. The things and life events mentioned below shaped Citron into the man he is today.
Besides, he will always remain an inspiration for every enthusiastic coder interested in gaming.
1. He is a Technology Buff Because His Father Supported Him
During the time when parents thought of technology as a ban, Citron’s father and grandfather motivated his love for tech. He spent a lot of time with his father and absorbed his love for personal computers. Hence, turning Jason Citron into an avid lover of technology.
Citron mentioned that his grandfather proudly bought his first computer and considered it “money well-spent.”
2. He was Determined and Inspired to Become an Entrepreneur
Citron’s father also inspired him to start his journey with a boss-like mindset. His father’s hard work and constant support taught Citron the value of disciple and working for himself. Such positive exposure allowed him to remain grounded even after owning a billion-dollar company.
The enterprising spirit lies in his blood as his grandfather and great grandfather ran an electrician consultancy in the 1900s.
3. Coding was His Hobby and Not a Subject
He is the perfect example of “turning your hobby into a career.” Even though his father inspired him to become an entrepreneur, he was unaware of his needs or dreams. By his thirteenth year, he was determined to turn to a gaming career.
He enrolled in computer classes but was not taught programming there. However, he and his friend self-taught themselves QBASIC one night and created a text adventure game inspired by the Final Fantasy VII storyline.
The simple animated circles and special effects captivated the young genius, so he chose gaming as his career.
4. He Earned a Significant Amount Through Exceptional Coding Skills
His competent computer skills landed him some well-paying freelancing jobs. His first gig was as a computer skill teacher for the elderly, which required hours of dedication and patience.
Doing this gave him the skills required to run his own business. Besides, he earned a considerable chunk by his sixteenth birthday money due to his coding knowledge. According to an interview, he earned $500 by writing PHP for an international client.
5. Citron is a Final Fantasy Fan
According to Insider, Jason Citron started playing RPGs when he was five. Moreover, his father gifted him a Nintendo, and ever since, he has been hooked on gaming. Playing video games and finishing his homework on time was his routine.
Citron remains a passionate Final Fantasy fan. The captivating graphics and the imaginative storyline exposed him to the true essence of video game development.
6. The Reason He Created Discord
After selling OneFeint, he launched a game called Fates Forever. However, it did not gain success making Citron change its overall strategy. He then shifted from game development to software development for this gaming industry.
He created a communication tool to fill the gap in gaming platforms.
Indeed, all his past encounters have made him the Citron he is today. Citron has been dubbed a serial entrepreneur with strategic success embedded in his soul with so much accomplishment.
Unique Features About Citron’s Discord
Source: CDN
As mentioned earlier, Discord came into existence with one goal – To bring a community together. It connected internationally like-minded individuals by creating a safe space.
Such a vast user base makes it evident that this application would have unique aspects that you were oblivious about:
- There are thousands of chatrooms (servers)
- Discord is only 7 years old
- You will find several language options
- The company is like a huge group chat
- Citron wants to help foster specific interests for individuals
- The technology used is exceptionally reliable
Along with these, you can even enhance your educational knowledge through Discord by joining study group channels worldwide.
He was a coder, so this experience helped him create online communities for the gaming world. Besides, the constant support from his family ensured that he followed his dream of gaming.
He is truly an inspiration for young enthusiasts due to his significant financial success. Right now, his net worth is valued at $1.8 million to $3 million. So, are you inspired enough to hone your CEO skills?
Having Jason Citron as someone to look up to would be good. Why? Because he is a relentless builder.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Jason Citron have a net worth?
According to various speculations, the net worth of the CEO of Discord is anywhere between $1.8 to $3 million. Experts believe it is higher even with minimal public knowledge about Citron’s actual net worth. Such a verdict was possible based on the immense popularity of his company.
2. How long has Jason Citron been in the industry?
Citron was born on the 21st of September 1987, making him 37 years old as of 2021. Moreover, he has been on the entrepreneurship scene since 2009, making him one of the youngest CEOs back then. Besides, he was only 26 years old when he sold his previous company for a whopping $104 million.
3. What is Jason Citron’s education qualification?
Jason Citron pursued his dreams and chose his career in gaming. He studied Game Design and Development at Full Sail University, where he got his Master’s Degree. Before that, he did his Bachelor’s from Goteborg University.
4. What religion does Jason Citron belong to?
Citron is not religious hence referring to it as a horrific statement. He informed the press that he was Jewish because his grandfather fought for America against the Nazis in World War 2. Moreover, he feels that people get radicalized due to this, which has weighed on him all his life.
5. What did Jason Citron do before he found Discord?
Before creating Discord, Citron founded a mobile gaming platform called OpenFeint. He was the CEO of this vast community which he later sold for $104 million to GREE in 2011. At the same time, he also did freelance programming and coding gigs for famous gaming studios.
The Bottom Line
You know all about Jason Citron’s biography, net worth, age, and career. To this day, he remains charged with enthusiasm and ensures that his creation remains accessible to all.
He has repeatedly transformed creative ideas into successful businesses, making him a serial entrepreneur.
He was exposed to business at a young age, which aided him in his work as a freelancer. Furthermore, he turned his passion for gaming into a career by founding companies such as Discord and OpenFeint.
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Gracie Johnson is a Senior Content Writer at MyTechMag. She is an enthusiastic learner and loves to explore all the areas of technology.
