TCG Pocket Launches, Players Express Discontent

Pokémon TCG Pocket's highly anticipated trading update, launched today, has been met with overwhelmingly negative feedback, far exceeding the initial concerns voiced last week. Players are flooding social media with complaints about the system's excessive requirements and restrictive nature. While the restrictions were previously disclosed, the sheer number of resource demands were initially obscured by the vague statement, "items must be consumed in order to trade."

Unlike Wonder Pick or booster pack openings, trading necessitates two distinct consumable items per transaction. The first is Trade Stamina, replenishing over time or purchasable with Poké Gold (real money).

The second, and far more controversial item, is the Trade Token. Trading cards with a rarity of 3 Diamonds or higher requires a significant number of these tokens: 120 for a 3-Diamond card, 400 for a 1-Star card, and 500 for a 4-Diamond (ex Pokémon) card.

Trade Tokens are acquired solely by discarding cards from one's collection. The exchange rates are heavily unfavorable: a 3-Diamond card yields 25 tokens, a 1-Star card 100, a 4-Diamond card 125, a 2-Star card 300, a 3-Star immersive card 300, and a Crown gold card 1500. Lower rarity cards are worthless for this purpose.

This system forces players into an inefficient loop; for instance, five ex Pokémon must be sacrificed to trade a single ex Pokémon. Even selling a Crown rarity card, the game's rarest and often hard-earned item, only provides enough tokens for three ex Pokémon trades. Selling a 3-Star immersive art card, a key selling point of the game, doesn't even yield enough tokens to trade a single 1-Star or 4-Diamond card.

Overwhelming Negative Reaction

The player response has been scathing. Reddit posts, garnering thousands of upvotes, denounce the update as "an insult," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure." Players are expressing frustration at the excessive cost and the apparent prioritization of profit over community engagement. The 15-second exchange time for tokens further exacerbates the tedious nature of the trading process. Many players are questioning the very purpose of the trading feature, suggesting it's intentionally designed to be cumbersome and discourage trading altogether.

Profit Motive and Unsustainable Design

The trading system is widely perceived as a blatant revenue-generating scheme, particularly given the game's estimated $200 million revenue in its first month before the trading update. The inability to trade cards of 2-Star rarity or higher further supports this claim; allowing immediate trading would negate the need for players to spend significant sums on packs for a chance at obtaining rare cards. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set.

The design is criticized as "predatory and downright greedy," with the lack of alternative methods for acquiring Trade Tokens making the system unsustainable. The requirement of three copies of a card to sell it adds another layer of frustration.

Creatures Inc.'s Silence

Creatures Inc. remains silent on the widespread criticism, a departure from their previous response to initial concerns. Their earlier statement, promising to consider feedback, has proven to be a stark contrast to the reality of the implemented system. IGN has reached out to Creatures Inc. for comment but has yet to receive a response.

While adding Trade Tokens as mission rewards could potentially mitigate the issue, it's more likely that Trade Stamina will be offered as rewards, mirroring the existing system for Wonder Stamina and Pack Hourglasses.

The launch of this poorly-received trading mechanic casts a shadow over the upcoming Diamond and Pearl update, introducing Pokémon like Dialga and Palkia. The negative reception raises serious questions about the game's future and its developers' priorities.