Pokémon TCG Pocket Dev Introduces Trade Tokens Amid Ongoing Controversy

Creatures Inc., the developer behind Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, has recently gifted players 1,000 Trade Tokens, sufficient for only two significant trades. This move comes as the company continues to explore solutions for the trading mechanic, which has stirred significant controversy within the community. Players who log in today will discover these Trade Tokens in their Gift menu, though without an accompanying message. However, Creatures Inc. took to X/Twitter to express gratitude for the patience and feedback from fans. The trading feature, introduced last week, was met with harsh criticism, with players describing the developer as "hilariously toxic," "predatory," and "downright greedy."

In addition to the existing limitations in Pokémon TCG Pocket, such as restrictions on opening packs and Wonder Picking without spending real money, the new trading feature was launched with additional constraints. Players must delete five cards from their collection to trade one of the same rarity, a requirement that many have criticized as excessively costly.

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It's been eight days since the trading feature was rolled out amidst a storm of backlash. Creatures Inc. had a premonition of fan dissatisfaction when it announced the feature almost three weeks prior, stating, "Your concerns are seen. Once this feature becomes available, I'd like to invite everyone to try it and provide feedback." This led many to hope for a smoother implementation, but those expectations were not met. The developer later acknowledged that "some of the restrictions put in place are preventing players from being able to casually enjoy" the trading experience.

In response to the complaints, Creatures Inc. promised to introduce required items as rewards in upcoming events to alleviate some of the issues. However, this promise has not yet been fulfilled, as the recent Cresselia ex Drop Event on February 3 did not include any such rewards.

Many fans believe that the trading system is primarily designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly earned $200 million in its first month before trading was introduced. The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher further supports this view, as it prevents players from easily acquiring missing cards without spending significant sums—up to $10 or even $100 for a chance at obtaining them. One player reportedly spent around $1,500 just to complete the first set, with the third set arriving last week within a span of three months.