Pokémon Card App Launches, Sparking Controversy

Pokémon TCG Pocket's highly anticipated trading update, launched today, has been met with overwhelmingly negative feedback, exceeding even the criticism levied last week when the mechanics were initially revealed.

Players are flooding social media with complaints, citing excessive requirements and restrictive limitations. While the restrictions were disclosed previously, the demanding resource consumption was only vaguely hinted at.

Unlike Wonder Pick or booster pack openings, trading necessitates two distinct consumable items per transaction. The first is Trade Stamina, replenishing over time or purchasable with Poké Gold (real money).

The second, and more contentious, item is the Trade Token. Trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher requires a significant number of these tokens: 120 for a 3-Diamond card, 400 for a 1-Star card, and 500 for a 4-Diamond (ex Pokémon) card.

Trade Tokens are earned solely by discarding cards from one's collection. The exchange rates are heavily unfavorable: 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 forces players into an inefficient loop: for example, trading one ex Pokémon demands selling five, and selling a single Crown card (the rarest) only provides enough tokens for three ex Pokémon trades. Even selling a 3-Star immersive art card—a key selling point of the game—is insufficient for trading higher-rarity cards.

Overwhelming Negative Reaction

Reddit posts expressing outrage have garnered thousands of upvotes. Players are calling the update "an insult," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure," with many vowing to cease spending on the game. The excessive cost and time investment required for even a single trade are major points of contention. The 15-second transaction time for converting cards into tokens further exacerbates the issue. Some players suggest renaming the app, given the impracticality of the trading system.

Revenue Generation Concerns

Many believe the trading system is designed primarily to boost revenue. The game reportedly generated $200 million in its first month, before trading was implemented. The inability to trade cards of 2-Star rarity or higher further fuels this suspicion, as readily trading for missing cards would undermine the incentive to purchase packs. One player reported spending $1,500 to complete the first set.

The unfavorable token conversion rates are described as "predatory and downright greedy." The lack of alternative methods for acquiring Trade Tokens, coupled with the requirement of three copies of a card for disposal, further intensifies the criticism.

Creatures Inc.'s Silence

Creatures Inc. has yet to respond to the intense backlash, despite addressing initial concerns last week with a promise to gather feedback. IGN has reached out for comment. While adding Trade Tokens as mission rewards could potentially mitigate the problem, it seems more likely that Trade Stamina will be included in future rewards, given the existing reward system.

The launch of this poorly-received trading mechanic casts a shadow over the upcoming Diamond and Pearl update, introducing Pokémon like Dialga and Palkia.