Pokémon TCG Pocket Gets Trading Today and Players Absolutely Hate It

Pokémon TCG Pocket's highly anticipated trading update has arrived, but instead of celebration, it's met with widespread player outrage. The trading system, already criticized last week for its restrictions, has launched to an even more negative reception due to unexpectedly stringent requirements.

Social media is ablaze with frustrated players. The core issue lies in the excessive resource demands for each trade. Two distinct consumable items are necessary: Trade Stamina and Trade Tokens. Trade Stamina, replenishing over time or purchasable with Poké Gold (real money), is a familiar mechanic.

However, Trade Tokens are the source of the uproar. 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 a whopping 500 for a 4-Diamond (ex Pokémon) card.

The only way to acquire Trade Tokens is by discarding cards from one's collection. The exchange rate is heavily weighted against the player: a 3-Diamond card yields 25 tokens, a 1-Star card 100, a 4-Diamond card 125, and so on. Lower rarity cards are worthless for this purpose.

This system forces players into an unfavorable loop. For instance, trading a single ex Pokémon requires selling five. Even selling a Crown rarity card, the game's rarest, only provides enough tokens for three ex Pokémon trades. Selling a 3-Star immersive art card, a key selling point of the game, doesn't provide enough for a single 1-Star or 4-Diamond card trade. The 15-second transaction time for each token exchange further exacerbates the problem.

Player reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, with terms like "monumental failure," "hilariously toxic," and "predatory" being frequently used to describe the trading system. Many players, citing the extreme cost and lack of alternative token acquisition methods, have vowed to stop spending money on the game. Some even suggest renaming the app, given the apparent discouragement of actual trading.

The inability to trade higher rarity cards (2-Star and above) further fuels suspicions that the trading system is designed primarily to boost revenue. The high cost of acquiring complete sets (one player reported spending $1,500 on the first set) strongly suggests that the developers intend for players to continue purchasing packs rather than trading.

Creatures Inc. has remained silent on the backlash, despite previously acknowledging player concerns. IGN has reached out for comment on the situation and whether any changes are planned. While adding Trade Tokens as mission rewards might alleviate some issues, it's more likely that Trade Stamina will be rewarded instead, given the precedent set by similar mechanics.

The launch of this poorly-received trading system casts a shadow over the upcoming Diamond and Pearl update, introducing Pokémon like Dialga and Palkia. The developer's silence only amplifies the negative sentiment surrounding this controversial update.