Pokémon TCG Pocket Devs Looking to Improve Trading Following Major Player Backlash

Creatures Inc., the developer behind Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, is currently addressing widespread player dissatisfaction with the recently introduced trading feature. Launched last week, the feature faced significant backlash, prompting the company to release a statement on X/Twitter. In it, Creatures Inc. expressed gratitude for player feedback and acknowledged that their initial design, meant to prevent abuse, has inadvertently hindered casual enjoyment of the game.

The statement highlighted intentions to improve the trading system, particularly by introducing required items as rewards in upcoming events. However, the latest Cresselia ex Drop Event, released on February 3, did not include any such rewards, leaving players disappointed. The trading feature in Pokémon TCG Pocket is already limited by mechanics that restrict pack opening, Wonder Picking, and now trading, without spending real money. Additionally, a new restriction called Trade Tokens was introduced, requiring players to delete five cards of the same rarity to trade one, a move heavily criticized for its high cost.

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Creatures Inc. explained that the trading restrictions were aimed at preventing abuse from bots and maintaining a fair environment, emphasizing the importance of preserving the fun of collecting cards. Despite this, they admitted that the current system has fallen short of player expectations and are "actively investigating ways to improve the feature." Future plans include offering multiple methods to obtain Trade Tokens, including through event distributions.

However, the statement remains vague, lacking specifics on the nature and timeline of the proposed changes. This leaves players uncertain about potential refunds or compensations for trades made under the current system. Moreover, the inclusion of Trade Tokens in events has been minimal, with only 200 tokens available as premium rewards in the Battle Pass refresh on February 1, sufficient for trading just one 3 Diamond card, the lowest rarity requiring tokens.

The absence of Trade Tokens in the Cresselia ex Drop Event further frustrates players, as the event offered other rewards like promo cards, Pack Hourglasses, Shinedust, shop tickets, and experience, but no Trade Tokens. This has led to speculation that the trading mechanic is designed to boost revenue, a notion supported by the game's estimated $200 million earnings in its first month, before trading was implemented.

The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher is seen as a strategy to encourage spending, as players cannot easily complete their collections without purchasing packs. One player reportedly spent around $1,500 just to complete the first set, with new sets arriving every few months. The community has labeled the trading mechanic as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure," reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the current system.