Creatures Inc., the developer behind Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, is facing significant backlash over the recently introduced trading feature. The company released a statement on X/Twitter acknowledging the community's feedback and expressing their intent to improve the system, which was designed to prevent abuse but has inadvertently restricted casual enjoyment.
The trading feature, which launched last week, includes a controversial mechanism called Trade Tokens. To trade a card, players must first delete five cards of the same rarity from their collection, a requirement that has been heavily criticized for its high cost. Creatures Inc. aimed to curb bot abuse and maintain a fair environment, but players feel the restrictions are overly stringent and hinder their ability to enjoy the game.
In response to the outcry, Creatures Inc. promised to introduce Trade Tokens as rewards in upcoming events. However, the newly released Cresselia ex Drop Event on February 3 did not include any Trade Tokens, despite the company's recent commitment. This event offers various rewards such as promo cards, Pack Hourglasses, Shinedust, shop tickets, and experience, but fails to deliver on the promised Trade Tokens.
The trading feature is part of a broader set of mechanics in Pokémon TCG Pocket that limit players' ability to open packs or engage in Wonder Picking without spending real money. The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher further fuels the perception that the trading system is designed to boost revenue, as it forces players to spend more to complete their collections. One player reportedly spent around $1,500 to complete the first set, highlighting the financial burden these restrictions impose.
Creatures Inc.'s statement was vague, lacking specific details on what changes will be made or when they will be implemented. It also left players uncertain about whether they would be compensated for trades made under the current system. The company's approach to integrating Trade Tokens into events has been minimal, with only 200 tokens offered as premium rewards for the $9.99 monthly Battle Pass, sufficient for trading just one 3 Diamond card.
The community's reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with players describing the trading mechanic as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure." The sentiment is that the feature prioritizes revenue generation over player enjoyment, especially given the game's estimated $200 million earnings in its first month before the trading feature was introduced.
Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown
52 Images
