Pokémon TCG Pocket Trading Launches Amid Player Backlash

The long-awaited trading update for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket was released today, but it has been met with an overwhelmingly negative response from the community. Despite the initial backlash when the trading mechanics were announced last week, the actual implementation has only intensified player frustration.

Players have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the trading feature, pointing out its numerous requirements and restrictions. While some restrictions were known from last week's announcement, the requirement for consuming items to trade was not fully disclosed until now.

Unlike other features such as Wonder Pick or opening booster packs, trading in Pokémon TCG Pocket requires two separate items: Trade Stamina and Trade Tokens. Trade Stamina, which can be replenished over time or purchased with Poké Gold (real-world money), is needed for every trade. However, it's the Trade Tokens that have sparked the most controversy.

Trade Tokens

Trade Tokens are essential for trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher. The costs are steep: 120 tokens for a 3 Diamond card, 400 for a 1 Star card, and 500 for a 4 Diamond card (an ex Pokémon). Players can only acquire Trade Tokens by selling cards from their collection. For instance, selling a 3 Diamond card yields 25 tokens, a 1 Star card 100 tokens, and a 4 Diamond card 125 tokens. Lower rarity cards are essentially worthless in this system, as they neither require tokens to trade nor provide any when sold.

This means players must sell multiple high-value cards to trade just one. For example, selling five ex Pokémon cards is necessary to trade one ex Pokémon, and selling five 1 Star cards is required to trade one 1 Star card. Even selling a Crown rarity card, one of the rarest in the game, only provides enough tokens to trade three ex Pokémon. Additionally, selling a 3 Star immersive art card, a key selling point of the game, does not yield enough tokens to trade a 1 Star or 4 Diamond card.

'A Monumental Failure'

The community's reaction has been harsh. On Reddit, user hurtbowler, whose post received over 1,000 upvotes, called the update "an insult" and vowed not to spend another penny on the game. "It's just frustrating. The greed is just so excessive I can't be inclined to spend another dollar. They should probably remove 'Trading Card Game' from the title screen. It's just insulting to look at," they wrote.

Others echoed this sentiment, with comments describing the system as "silly," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure." The process of exchanging cards for Trade Tokens takes about 15 seconds, meaning players could spend minutes navigating menus just to trade a single card. Some suggested renaming the app to "Pokémon Card Game Pocket" due to the restrictive nature of the trading system, with one user stating, "I don't think they want people trading at all. That's why they made it so bad."

Pay Day

Many fans believe the trading system is designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly earned $200 million in its first month before trading was introduced. The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher suggests that the system is meant to encourage players to spend money on packs to complete their collections. One player reportedly spent $1,500 to complete the first set, and the third set is set to launch tomorrow.

On Reddit, user ACNL criticized the system as "predatory and downright greedy," highlighting the unsustainable nature of the Trade Token conversion rates. They noted that players need to have three copies of a card to burn it for tokens, further complicating the process. "If there were other ways to get tokens, this might be passable, but at the moment there are no other ways to get tokens," they added.

Creatures Inc. Stays Quiet

Creatures Inc., the developer, has not yet responded to the backlash. Although it did address initial concerns last week with a statement saying, "Your concerns are seen. Once this feature becomes available, I'd like to invite everyone to try it and provide feedback. This way, the game can continue to evolve in an enjoyable way for everyone," the actual implementation has fallen short of expectations.

IGN has reached out to Creatures Inc. for comment on the reaction and potential plans for changes. Some users suggested that including Trade Tokens as rewards for missions could help alleviate the issue, though it's more likely that Trade Stamina will be featured in such rewards, as has been the case with similar items like Wonder Stamina and Pack Hourglasses.

The introduction of such a poorly received mechanic is particularly unfortunate timing, as the game is set to launch its next major update, introducing Diamond and Pearl Pokémon like Dialga and Palkia to the digital card game.