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. In a statement on X/Twitter, Creatures Inc. acknowledged the negative feedback, explaining that the restrictive trading system was intended to prevent abuse, but inadvertently hindered casual enjoyment.

The company pledged to alleviate issues by offering Trade Tokens—a controversial in-game currency required for trading—as rewards in future events. However, this promise was immediately broken with the February 3rd Cresselia ex Drop Event, which notably lacked Trade Tokens.

The trading system, already criticized for its high cost and requirement to delete cards to obtain Trade Tokens, has further fueled player discontent. The cost of acquiring these tokens is disproportionately high, requiring the deletion of five cards of the same rarity to trade one.

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Creatures Inc. clarified that the restrictions were implemented to combat bot activity and multi-account abuse. While aiming for a fair and enjoyable collecting experience, the developer admitted the current limitations negatively impact casual players. They committed to investigating improvements and providing alternative ways to acquire Trade Tokens, though specifics regarding changes and timelines remain undisclosed.

Uncertainty remains regarding refunds or compensation for players who traded under the current system. Changes to Trade Token acquisition could disproportionately affect early adopters of the trading feature. The limited availability of Trade Tokens (only 200 offered as a premium Battle Pass reward) further underscores player concerns about the feature's revenue-generating intent. The exclusion of Trade Tokens from the Cresselia ex Drop Event directly contradicts the company's recent statement.

The inability to trade higher-rarity cards (2 stars and above) has also drawn criticism, suggesting a deliberate design to encourage in-app purchases. The significant cost to complete sets, with one player reporting spending $1,500, fuels accusations of predatory monetization. Players have vehemently condemned the trading mechanic, using terms like "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and "monumental failure."