Pokémon TCG Pocket's highly anticipated trading update, launched today, has been met with overwhelmingly negative feedback, exceeding even the initial concerns expressed last week. Players are flooding social media with complaints about the excessive requirements and restrictive nature of the trading system. While the restrictions were previously announced, the sheer number of required items was not fully disclosed.

The trading process mandates two distinct consumable items. First, players need Trade Stamina, which replenishes over time or can be purchased with Poké Gold (real money).

Secondly, and this is the primary source of outrage, Trade Tokens are necessary for trading any card with a rarity of 3 Diamonds or higher. The exorbitant token costs are as follows: 120 for a 3-Diamond card, 400 for a 1-Star card, and 500 for a 4-Diamond (ex Pokémon) card.

Trade Tokens are acquired solely by discarding cards from one's collection. The exchange rates are heavily weighted against the player, requiring the sacrifice of multiple high-rarity cards to trade a single valuable card. For example, trading one ex Pokémon necessitates selling five others. Selling a Crown rarity card, the game's rarest, only yields enough tokens for three ex Pokémon trades. Lower rarity cards are unusable for trading and offer no token compensation.

Overwhelming Negative Reaction

Reddit posts expressing frustration have garnered thousands of upvotes, with players calling the update a "monumental failure," "hilariously toxic," and an "insult." Many players are vowing to cease spending money on the game, highlighting the perceived greed of the developers. The 15-second exchange time for Trade Tokens further exacerbates the laborious trading process. Some players even suggest renaming the app, given the impracticality of the trading system.

Revenue Generation Concerns

The trading system is widely viewed as a blatant attempt to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which already reportedly generated $200 million in its first month. The inability to easily trade higher-rarity cards directly encourages players to purchase more packs, increasing their spending. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set.

The lack of alternative methods for obtaining Trade Tokens fuels the criticism. Players can only obtain them by deleting cards, and even then, the conversion rates are unfavorable. The requirement of three copies of a card to sell one further restricts trading options.

Creatures Inc.'s Silence

Creatures Inc. has remained silent on the player backlash, despite previously acknowledging concerns. IGN has reached out to the developer for comment regarding the negative reception and potential changes.

While adding Trade Tokens as mission rewards could mitigate the issue, it's more likely that Trade Stamina will be used in this capacity, given the existing reward system. The launch of this poorly-received trading mechanic casts a shadow over the upcoming update introducing Diamond and Pearl Pokémon.