Creatures Inc., the developer behind the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, has responded to widespread player backlash regarding the new trading feature introduced last week. In a statement posted on X/Twitter, the company expressed gratitude for player feedback and acknowledged that while the trading feature was designed to prevent abuse, it has inadvertently hindered casual enjoyment for many players.
The statement highlighted that the restrictions, including the introduction of Trade Tokens, were intended to curb bot usage and maintain a fair environment. However, the high cost of obtaining Trade Tokens—requiring players to discard five cards of the same rarity to trade one—has drawn significant criticism. Creatures Inc. promised to improve the trading feature and introduce Trade Tokens as rewards in upcoming events, yet the recent Cresselia ex Drop Event, launched on February 3, did not include any such rewards, failing to meet player expectations.
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Creatures Inc. emphasized their commitment to balancing the game and preserving the fun of collecting cards, core to the Pokémon TCG Pocket experience. They admitted that some restrictions are too limiting and are actively investigating ways to improve the trading feature. The company also plans to offer multiple ways to obtain Trade Tokens, including through event distributions, but has not provided specific details or timelines for these changes.
Players remain uncertain about potential refunds or compensations for trades made under the current system, should the Trade Token costs change. The lack of Trade Tokens in recent events, including only 200 available as premium rewards in the Battle Pass refresh on February 1, has further frustrated the community. These tokens are sufficient only for trading a single 3 Diamond card, the lowest rarity requiring Trade Tokens.
Critics argue that the trading system is 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 is seen as a strategy to encourage spending on packs for a chance to complete sets. For instance, one player reportedly spent $1,500 to complete the first set, with the third set arriving just days ago.
The trading mechanic has been described by players as "predatory and downright greedy," "hilariously toxic," and a "monumental failure," reflecting deep dissatisfaction with the current system.
