Pokémon TCG Pocket Devs Respond to Player Feedback on Trading System

Creatures Inc., the developer behind the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, is responding to significant player backlash regarding the newly introduced trading feature. Launched last week, the feature has drawn criticism for its restrictive nature, which was intended to prevent abuse but has instead hindered casual enjoyment for many players.

In a recent statement on X/Twitter, Creatures Inc. acknowledged the community's feedback and expressed their intent to refine the trading system. The company explained that the trading feature was initially designed to curb abuse from bots and multi-account manipulation, aiming to maintain a fair and enjoyable collecting experience for all players. However, they admitted that the current restrictions are limiting casual enjoyment and have promised to investigate improvements.

Creatures Inc. also mentioned plans to make Trade Tokens, a new requirement for trading, more accessible through event distributions. Yet, their commitment to this promise seems shaky. The recently launched Cresselia ex Drop Event on February 3 did not include any Trade Tokens as rewards, despite the company's assurance just a day earlier.

The trading system in Pokémon TCG Pocket requires players to use Trade Tokens, which can be obtained by sacrificing five cards of the same rarity from their collection for each trade. This high cost has been a significant point of contention among players, who find the system cumbersome and overly restrictive.

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The statement from Creatures Inc. remains vague, lacking specific details on the upcoming changes or a timeline for their implementation. This leaves players uncertain about whether their current trades will be refunded or compensated if the Trade Token costs are adjusted.

Further fueling player frustration, Creatures Inc. has only made 200 Trade Tokens available as premium rewards within the Battle Pass, accessible to those who pay $9.99 monthly. This amount is sufficient for trading just one 3 Diamond card, the lowest rarity requiring Trade Tokens. The absence of Trade Tokens in the Cresselia ex Drop Event further suggests that the company may not be fully committed to easing the trading restrictions as promised.

Players have criticized the trading mechanic as a revenue-generating strategy for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly earned $200 million in its first month. The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher is seen as a tactic to encourage spending on packs for a chance at rare cards. One player reportedly spent around $1,500 to complete the first set, highlighting the potential costs involved.

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