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

Pokémon TCG Pocket's trading feature, launched last week, has faced significant player backlash, prompting developer Creatures Inc. to address concerns. A statement on X/Twitter acknowledged the negative feedback, explaining that while the initial design aimed to prevent abuse, "some restrictions…prevent players from casually enjoying" the feature.

Creatures Inc. pledged to alleviate issues by offering Trade Tokens as event rewards. However, this promise was immediately broken; the February 3rd Cresselia ex Drop Event did not include any Trade Tokens.

The trading system, already criticized for its restrictive mechanics (limiting pack openings and Wonder Picking without in-app purchases), further angered players with the introduction of Trade Tokens. Obtaining these tokens requires deleting five cards of equal rarity to trade one, a process deemed excessively costly.

Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown

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Creatures Inc. clarified that the restrictions were intended to counter bot activity and multi-account abuse. The statement, however, lacked specifics on upcoming changes or timelines. The company also hasn't addressed potential refunds or compensation for players who traded under the current system.

The limited availability of Trade Tokens further fuels player concerns. Only 200 were offered as premium Battle Pass rewards (a $9.99 monthly subscription), sufficient for trading a single 3-Diamond card. The absence of Trade Tokens in the Cresselia ex event directly contradicts the company's recent statement.

Many players believe the trading mechanic is designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly generated $200 million in its first month. The inability to trade 2-Star or higher rarity cards reinforces this suspicion, as readily trading for missing cards would reduce the need for costly pack purchases. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set.

The trading system has been widely condemned by players as "predatory," "greedy," and a "monumental failure."