Creatures Inc., the developer behind the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, is actively working to enhance the trading feature following significant backlash from the player community. The feature, which was introduced last week, faced criticism due to its restrictive nature, prompting the company to reassess its approach.
In a recent statement posted on X/Twitter, Creatures Inc. expressed gratitude for the feedback received and acknowledged that while the trading feature was designed to prevent abuse and maintain fairness, some restrictions have hindered players' casual enjoyment. "The item requirements and restrictions implemented for the trading feature were designed to prevent abuse from bots and other prohibited actions using multiple accounts," the statement read. "Our goal was to balance the game while maintaining a fair environment for all players and preserving the fun of collecting cards that is core to the Pokémon TCG Pocket experience."
Despite their promise to introduce required items like Trade Tokens as rewards in upcoming events, the newly launched Cresselia ex Drop Event on February 3 failed to deliver on this front. Players can earn various rewards such as promo cards, Pack Hourglasses, Shinedust, shop tickets, and experience, but Trade Tokens were conspicuously absent.
The trading system in Pokémon TCG Pocket is governed by a mechanic that limits how much players can open packs, use Wonder Picking, or trade without spending real money. Additionally, the introduction of Trade Tokens has been criticized for their high cost, requiring players to delete five cards from their collection to trade one card of the same rarity.
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Creatures Inc. has committed to investigating ways to improve the trading feature, stating, "However, thanks to your feedback, we understand that some of the restrictions put in place are preventing players from being able to casually enjoy the feature as intended. We are actively investigating ways to improve the feature to address these concerns. Going forward, we also plan to offer multiple ways to obtain Trade Tokens including through event distributions."
Despite this assurance, the company has remained vague about specific changes and timelines. Players are also uncertain about whether their current trades will be refunded or compensated if the Trade Token costs change. Moreover, Creatures Inc. has been criticized for not integrating Trade Tokens into events effectively. For instance, only 200 Trade Tokens were made available as premium rewards for Battle Pass subscribers on February 1, which is barely enough to trade one 3 Diamond card, the lowest rarity requiring Trade Tokens.
The trading system has led to widespread speculation that it's designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly earned $200 million in its first month. The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher further supports this notion, as it forces players to spend real money for a chance to obtain these cards. One player reportedly spent around $1,500 to complete the first set, with the third set arriving just days ago.
Community feedback has been overwhelmingly negative, with players describing the trading mechanic as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure." As Creatures Inc. continues to navigate these challenges, the community eagerly awaits meaningful changes to enhance their gaming experience.
