Pokémon TCG Pocket Adds Trade Tokens, Key Issues Remain

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket developer Creatures Inc. has given players 1,000 Trade Tokens — enough for just two major trades — as it looks into solutions for the controversial trading feature.

Players who log in today will find the Trade Tokens in their Gift menu without any message, but Creatures Inc. thanked fans on X/Twitter for their input and patience. The developer was recently criticized as "hilariously toxic," "predatory," and "downright greedy" after introducing trading to the digital card game.

Beyond the usual restrictions that limit how often players can open packs, use Wonder Pick, or trade without spending real money, the trading system also introduced these Trade Tokens as an added barrier. Players expressed frustration with how expensive it is to get them, since trading one card of a certain rarity requires removing five cards of the same rarity from their collection.

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It's been eight days since Creatures Inc. launched trading amid strong backlash, though the company was already aware players were unhappy when it first previewed the system nearly three weeks ago. "We hear your concerns," the developer said then. "Once trading is live, we encourage everyone to try it and share your thoughts."

This led many to expect a more flexible system, but that didn’t happen. Creatures Inc. later acknowledged that "some restrictions are preventing players from casually enjoying trades."

The developer also promised to address complaints by offering required items as rewards in future events, but so far has not followed through. The Cresselia ex Drop Event that started on February 3, for example, included no such rewards.

Many players feel trading is clearly designed to boost revenue for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which reportedly earned around $200 million in its first month—even before trading was available.

This strategy is also reflected in the inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher. If players could easily trade for the cards they're missing, they would have less reason to spend $10, $100, or more for randomized chances at obtaining them. One player reportedly spent about $1,500 just to complete the first card set—and a third set in three months was released last week.