Pokémon TCG Pocket developer Creatures Inc. has issued 1,000 Trade Tokens to players – enough for only two substantial trades – while continuing to address issues with the controversial trading mechanic. Players logging in today will find these tokens in their Gift menu without explanation. Creatures Inc. acknowledged player feedback and expressed gratitude for their patience via a post on X/Twitter.
The trading feature, introduced last week, faced immediate criticism. Players described the system as "hilariously toxic," "predatory," and "downright greedy," largely due to its restrictive nature and the high cost of acquiring Trade Tokens. The mechanic requires players to delete five cards from their collection to trade one of similar rarity. This, coupled with existing restrictions on pack openings and Wonder Picking, fueled the negative response.
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A week after the release, the backlash persists. Creatures Inc. had previously stated, almost three weeks prior to the launch, that player concerns were noted and solicited feedback upon release. This led many to believe improvements would be made, but this proved untrue. The developer subsequently admitted that certain restrictions hinder casual enjoyment of the trading feature.
While promising to alleviate concerns by offering necessary items as rewards in future events, the recent Cresselia ex Drop Event (February 3rd) failed to deliver on this promise. Many believe the trading system is designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly generated $200 million in its first month before trading was implemented.
This suspicion is further fueled by the inability to trade 2-Star rarity cards or higher. The inability to easily trade for missing cards forces players to spend significant sums ($10, $100, or more) on random card packs. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set, with the third set arriving last week.
