Creatures Inc., the developer behind the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, is actively working on enhancing the trading feature following significant backlash from the community. The feature, which was introduced last week, has been met with criticism due to its restrictive nature, aimed at preventing abuse but ultimately hindering casual enjoyment.
In a recent statement posted on X/Twitter, Creatures Inc. expressed gratitude for the feedback received and acknowledged that while the trading system was designed to combat bot abuse and maintain fairness, some restrictions have prevented players from enjoying the feature as intended. The company promised to explore ways to improve the trading system, but specifics and timelines remain unclear.
One of the contentious elements of the trading system is the introduction of Trade Tokens, which require players to delete five cards of the same rarity from their collection to trade just one. This mechanic has been heavily criticized for its high cost and perceived unfairness. Creatures Inc. mentioned plans to offer Trade Tokens through event distributions, yet the recently launched Cresselia ex Drop Event on February 3 failed to include any such rewards, despite the company's earlier commitment.
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Creatures Inc. stated that the trading restrictions were intended to prevent abuse from bots and maintain a fair environment for all players, emphasizing the core fun of collecting cards in the Pokémon TCG Pocket experience. However, they recognized that the current system has not met player expectations for casual enjoyment and are investigating ways to address these concerns.
The company's vague statement has left players uncertain about potential refunds or compensations for trades already made under the existing system. Additionally, the limited availability of Trade Tokens, such as the 200 tokens offered as premium rewards in the Battle Pass refresh on February 1, has further fueled player frustration. These tokens are barely sufficient for trading even the lowest rarity cards requiring them.
The community has expressed strong opinions that the trading system is designed primarily 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 has been highlighted as a strategy to encourage spending on random card packs. One player reportedly spent around $1,500 to complete the first set, underscoring the high cost of participation.
Players have labeled the trading mechanic as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure," reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the current implementation.
