Pokémon TCG Pocket's trading feature, launched last week, has faced significant player backlash, prompting developer Creatures Inc. to address concerns. A statement on X/Twitter acknowledged the negative feedback, explaining that while the trading restrictions aimed to prevent abuse, they unintentionally hindered casual enjoyment.

Creatures Inc. pledged to alleviate issues by offering Trade Tokens as event rewards. However, this promise was immediately broken, as the February 3rd Cresselia ex Drop Event lacked these tokens.

The trading system, already criticized for its pay-to-play mechanics limiting pack openings and Wonder Picking, further angered players with the introduction of Trade Tokens. Obtaining these tokens requires deleting five cards of equal rarity to trade one, a process deemed excessively costly.

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Creatures Inc. clarified that the restrictions were designed to combat bot activity and multi-account abuse. While aiming for a fair and fun collecting experience, they admitted the current system hinders casual trading. Future improvements are promised, including additional ways to acquire Trade Tokens via events.

The statement, however, lacks specifics on the nature or timing of these changes. Furthermore, the developer hasn't addressed potential refunds or compensation for players who traded under the current, heavily criticized system.

The limited availability of Trade Tokens further fuels player concerns about monetization. Only 200 were offered as premium Battle Pass rewards (a $9.99 monthly subscription), sufficient for trading a single 3-Diamond card. The absence of tokens in the Cresselia ex event directly contradicts the developer's recent statement.

Players widely perceive the trading mechanics as a revenue-generating scheme, especially considering the game's estimated $200 million revenue in its first month, before trading was implemented. The inability to trade cards above 2-Star rarity reinforces this suspicion, as readily available trading would negate the need for costly pack purchases. One player reported spending approximately $1,500 to complete the first set.

The community's response has been overwhelmingly negative, with players labeling the system "predatory," "toxic," and a "monumental failure."