Creatures Inc., the developer behind Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, is actively working to enhance the trading feature that was rolled out last week amid significant criticism from the player community. In a statement released on X/Twitter, the company expressed gratitude for the feedback received and admitted that the trading feature, designed with the intent to curb abuse, has inadvertently hindered players' casual enjoyment due to stringent restrictions.
Creatures Inc. acknowledged the backlash and promised to introduce required items, such as Trade Tokens, as rewards in upcoming events. However, the recent Cresselia ex Drop Event, launched on February 3, did not include these promised rewards, leaving players disappointed.
The trading system in Pokémon TCG Pocket comes with multiple layers of restrictions, including the need for players to spend real-world money to open packs or use the Wonder Picking feature. The introduction of Trade Tokens added another layer of complexity, requiring players to discard five cards from their collection to trade just one card of the same rarity. This system has drawn sharp criticism due to the high cost associated with obtaining Trade Tokens.
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According to Creatures Inc., the trading restrictions were intended to prevent exploitation by bots and maintain a fair environment for all players while preserving the core fun of collecting cards. However, the company recognizes that these restrictions have negatively impacted the casual trading experience. They are currently exploring ways to improve the feature and plan to offer multiple avenues for players to earn Trade Tokens, including through event distributions.
The statement from Creatures Inc. remains vague about specific changes and timelines, but it does confirm that they are listening to the community's concerns. It remains unclear whether players who engaged in trades during the initial days will receive any form of compensation or refunds if the Trade Token costs are altered.
Furthermore, Creatures Inc. has not shown a strong commitment to integrating Trade Tokens into event rewards. For instance, only 200 Trade Tokens were available as premium rewards in the Battle Pass refresh on February 1, sufficient for trading just one 3 Diamond card, the lowest rarity requiring Trade Tokens. Similarly, the Cresselia ex Drop Event failed to include any Trade Tokens as rewards, despite recent promises to do so.
The trading feature has led many to believe that it's primarily designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly earned $200 million in its first month. The inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher further supports this theory, as it encourages players to spend money to obtain these cards rather than trading for them. For example, one player spent approximately $1,500 to complete the first set, with the third set launching just days ago.
The community has labeled the trading mechanic as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure," reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the current system.
