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 trading restrictions aimed to prevent abuse, they inadvertently hindered casual enjoyment.
Creatures Inc. pledged to improve the system 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's controversial aspects include Trade Tokens, requiring players to delete five cards to trade one of similar rarity, and restrictions on trading high-rarity cards (2-star and above). This, combined with existing in-app purchase limitations on pack openings and Wonder Picking, has led to accusations of the system being designed to maximize revenue.
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Creatures Inc.'s statement, while acknowledging the issues, lacked specifics regarding upcoming changes. The company hasn't clarified whether existing trades will be refunded or compensated, leaving players uncertain about potential losses if the system is altered.
The limited availability of Trade Tokens further fuels 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.
Player criticism has been sharp, with accusations of "predatory and downright greedy" practices. The inability to easily trade high-rarity cards forces players to spend significant sums on packs for a chance to obtain them, as evidenced by one player's reported $1,500 expenditure to complete a single set. The game's estimated $200 million revenue in its first month, before the trading feature, further fuels these concerns. The current trading mechanics are viewed by many as a "monumental failure."
