Pokémon TCG Pocket's highly anticipated trading update has arrived, but instead of celebration, the player base is erupting in frustration. The trading mechanic, already criticized last week for its restrictions, has launched to an even more negative reception due to unexpectedly high requirements.
Social media is ablaze with complaints about the sheer number of limitations and the excessive resource costs. While the restrictions were previously announced, the demanding resource consumption was cleverly disguised under the vague statement, "items must be consumed in order to trade."
Unlike simpler mechanics like Wonder Pick or booster pack openings, trading demands two distinct consumable items. The first is Trade Stamina, which regenerates slowly or can be purchased with Poké Gold (real money).
The second item, and the source of widespread outrage, is the Trade Token. Trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher necessitates Trade Tokens: 120 for a 3-Diamond card, 400 for a 1-Star card, and a whopping 500 for a 4-Diamond (ex Pokémon) card.
Trade Tokens are acquired by discarding cards from your collection. The exchange rates are heavily weighted against the player: a 3-Diamond card yields 25 Tokens, a 1-Star card 100, a 4-Diamond card 125, a 2-Star card 300, a 3-Star immersive card 300, and a Crown gold card 1500. Lower rarity cards are worthless for this purpose.
This system effectively forces players to sacrifice multiple valuable cards to trade even a single high-value card. For example, five ex Pokémon must be sacrificed to trade one, and even selling a Crown rarity card (the rarest in the game) only provides enough Tokens to trade three ex Pokémon. Selling a 3-Star immersive art card—a key selling point of the game itself—doesn't even yield enough Tokens to trade a single 1-Star or 4-Diamond card.
"A Monumental Failure"
Reddit threads are overflowing with scathing criticism. One post with over 1,000 upvotes declares the update "an insult," with players vowing to cease spending on the game. Comments echo the sentiment, calling the system "hilariously toxic," a "monumental failure," and lamenting the loss of a "safe way for the community to connect." The 15-second exchange time for Tokens adds insult to injury, forcing players to spend minutes navigating menus before a single trade. Many suggest renaming the game, given the impractical trading system.
Pay Day
Many believe the trading system is a thinly veiled revenue grab, especially considering the game's estimated $200 million in revenue during its first month before trading was implemented. The inability to trade cards of 2-Star rarity or higher further fuels this suspicion, as readily available trading would eliminate the need for players to spend significant sums on packs for a chance at obtaining rare cards. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set.
Players describe the system as "predatory and downright greedy," highlighting the unfavorable Token conversion rates and the lack of alternative ways to obtain Tokens. The requirement to possess three copies of a card before discarding it adds another layer of frustration.
Creatures Inc. Stays Quiet
Creatures Inc. remains silent amidst the outcry, a departure from their previous response to initial concerns. Their earlier statement, assuring players that feedback would shape the game's evolution, now rings hollow. IGN has reached out for comment regarding the backlash and potential changes.
Some users suggest that incorporating Trade Tokens as mission rewards could alleviate the problem. However, given the current reward system favoring Stamina-based items, this seems unlikely.
The launch of such a poorly-received trading mechanic casts a shadow over the upcoming update, which will introduce Diamond and Pearl Pokémon like Dialga and Palkia. The negative reaction raises serious questions about the game's future and its developer's responsiveness to player concerns.
