Pokémon TCG Pocket Launches Amid Fan Backlash

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket's highly anticipated trading feature has finally launched, but players are calling it worse than expected. Despite complaints when developer Creatures Inc. initially revealed the mechanics last week, the implemented system has drawn even harsher criticism.

Community Backlash Over Restrictive Trading

Players have flooded social media platforms expressing frustration with the new trading system's excessive requirements and limitations. While some restrictions were known from last week's announcement, additional hurdles emerged with the vague warning that "items must be consumed in order to trade."

The trading mechanic introduces two unique resource requirements: Trade Stamina, which replenishes slowly or can be purchased with Poké Gold (real money), and newly introduced Trade Tokens that prove even more problematic.

The Trade Token Controversy

Trading high-value cards requires substantial Trade Tokens:

• 120 Tokens: 3 Diamond cards
• 400 Tokens: 1 Star cards
• 500 Tokens: 4 Diamond cards (ex Pokémon)

The only way to obtain these tokens forces players into a punishing exchange system. To trade one ex Pokémon:

• Must sacrifice five other ex Pokémon
• Or one ultra-rare Crown card (months of playtime)
• Lower rarity cards provide negligible tokens

"This system requires destroying multiple prized cards just to facilitate a single trade," commented one Reddit user with thousands of upvotes. "It transforms trading from a community feature into a resource grind."

Developer Silence Amid Growing Anger

Creatures Inc. previously responded to pre-launch concerns by suggesting players try the system first, but the implemented version has exceeded worst-case expectations. The developer has remained silent since the update's disastrous reception.

Many speculate this restrictive design serves two purposes:

1. Prevent automated trading bots
2. Drive continued pack purchases

As one player calculated: "Completing sets could cost thousands without functional trading. This isn't sustainable for collectors."

The update arrives just before Pokémon TCG Pocket's next major content release, potentially overshadowing the introduction of Diamond and Pearl era Pokémon. Whether Creatures Inc. will address these concerns remains uncertain, but the community's patience wears thin.