Pokémon TCG Pocket Devs Address Trading Issues After Player Backlash

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket developer Creatures Inc. is actively working to enhance the trading feature that was met with significant backlash upon its launch last week. In a statement released on X/Twitter, Creatures Inc. expressed gratitude for player feedback and acknowledged that the trading system, designed to curb abuse, has inadvertently hindered casual enjoyment for many users.

The company had initially promised to introduce required items as rewards in future events to address these concerns. However, the recent Cresselia ex Drop Event, which launched on February 3, did not include any such items, leaving players disappointed.

The trading feature in Pokémon TCG Pocket comes with several restrictions, including limitations on opening packs, Wonder Picking, and now, trading without spending real money. An additional restriction, Trade Tokens, has been particularly criticized due to the high cost of acquiring them. Players must discard five cards from their collection to trade one of the same rarity, a move that has been seen as overly restrictive.

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Creatures Inc. explained that the restrictions were intended to prevent abuse by bots and other prohibited actions, aiming to maintain a balanced and fair environment for all players while preserving the joy of card collecting. However, they admitted that these measures have impacted casual enjoyment and are now exploring ways to improve the feature based on community feedback. They also plan to offer multiple avenues for obtaining Trade Tokens, including through event distributions.

Despite these assurances, the statement from Creatures Inc. remains vague, with no specific details on upcoming changes or timelines. This leaves players uncertain about potential refunds or compensations for trades made under the current system, especially if the cost of Trade Tokens changes.

Furthermore, the inclusion of Trade Tokens in events has been minimal. Only 200 Trade Tokens were made available as premium rewards for Battle Pass subscribers at a cost of $9.99 per month, sufficient only for trading a single 3 Diamond card. The Cresselia ex Drop Event also failed to include any Trade Tokens as rewards, despite the company's recent promises.

Many fans believe that the trading system is designed primarily 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 view, as it forces players to spend money on random card packs to complete their collections. One player, for instance, spent around $1,500 to complete the first set, with the third set launching just days ago.

Players have described the trading mechanic as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure," reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the current system.