Pokémon TCG Pocket Devs Address Trading Issues After Backlash

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket developer Creatures Inc. has announced plans to revamp the trading feature following significant player backlash. Launched just last week, the feature drew criticism for its restrictive nature, which was intended to curb abuse but ended up hindering casual enjoyment.

In a statement posted on X/Twitter, Creatures Inc. expressed gratitude for player feedback and acknowledged that the initial restrictions on the trading system were overly stringent. "The item requirements and restrictions implemented for the trading feature were designed to prevent abuse from bots and other prohibited actions using multiple accounts," the company explained. They aimed to balance the game and maintain a fair environment for all players while preserving the core fun of collecting cards.

However, the feedback from the community highlighted that these restrictions were preventing players from casually enjoying the feature. Creatures Inc. is now "actively investigating ways to improve" the trading system to address these concerns. They also plan to introduce multiple ways to obtain Trade Tokens, including through event distributions.

Despite these promises, the recently launched Cresselia ex Drop Event on February 3 did not include any Trade Tokens as rewards, contrary to what was suggested in the statement. This event offered other rewards such as new promo cards, Pack Hourglasses, Shinedust, shop tickets, and experience, but no Trade Tokens were available.

The trading feature, which requires players to use Trade Tokens, has been criticized for its high cost. Players must delete five cards from their collection to trade one card of the same rarity, a system many have found to be prohibitive. Additionally, only 200 Trade Tokens were made available as premium rewards for those subscribed to the $9.99 monthly Battle Pass, which is barely enough to trade a single 3 Diamond card, the lowest rarity requiring Trade Tokens.

The lack of clarity on whether current trades will be refunded or compensated adds to the players' frustration. If the cost of Trade Tokens changes, those who utilized the feature early on might end up at a significant disadvantage.

Many players believe that the trading system is designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly earned $200 million in its first month before the trading feature was introduced. The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher further supports this theory, as it encourages players to spend real money to complete their collections. One player spent around $1,500 to complete the first set, and the third set in three months was released just days ago.

The community has labeled the trading mechanic as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure," reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the current system.

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