One major featurePokemon TCGPocket is still missing is the ability for players to trade cards with each other. With “Trading Card Game” in the game’s name, it’s surprising to seePokemon TCG Pocketlack a trading feature for so long after its release. However, the feature has been confirmed by the developers to be coming sometime this month, but it may not take the exact form many players were hoping it would if a recent rumor turns out to be true.
ArecentPokemon TCG Pocketrumorsuggests that only diamond and one-star cards will be tradeable when the function launches. This restriction would mean some of the rarest cards in the game, likePokemon TCG Pocket’s full-art Ex cards, wouldn’t be tradeable, which may be disappointing for some players hoping to use trading to complete their collections. This approach to trading may actually be for the best, as it could help preventPokemon TCG Pocketplayers from exploiting the trading system to their advantage.
Pokemon TCG Pocket Restricting Trades for Rare Cards May Be for the Best
Restricting Trade for Rare Cards Could Help Prevent Exploits
While this information has yet to be confirmed by DeNA or The Pokemon Company, there is reason to believe it is true based on the developer’s statement that only some cards will be tradeable when trading was first confirmed to be coming in January 2025. With how volatile themarket for physicalPokemon TCGcardshas been in recent years, it makes sense thatPokemon TCG Pocketwould want to take precautions to avoid situations where players could potentially exploit the trading system to gain an unfair advantage in the game. For example, players could have multiple accounts across different devices solely for the purpose of hoarding all of their rare cards on their main account.
Another obvious issue that could arise from the game’s rarest cards being tradable is the creation of third-party sites selling these in-game cards to players. Games with massivein-game economies such asWorld of WarcraftandPath of Exile 2already deal with the issue of third parties selling the games' best items to players without the developers seeing a cut of the profits. With how popular thePokemon TCGis, it’s likely The Pokemon Company wants to avoid this scenario withTCG Pocket’s trading system.
Pokemon TCG Pocket May Want to Avoid Another Animal Crossing: New Horizons Situation
Nintendo is no stranger to third-party item trading sites developing around its games, withAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsinfamously spawning the unlicensed Nookazon website where players could buy and sell various items and even villagers for in-game currency. While this fan-made hub for trading is innocent enough, the hype aroundAnimal Crossing: New Horizons' villagers expanded far beyond the desire to trade in-game items and currency for them on a site like this. Some players were even willing tospend real-world money on popularAnimal Crossingvillagers like Raymondthrough sites like eBay, which is a far cry from the in-game trading encouraged by Nookazon.
It’s easy to see how a trading system that allowsPokemon TCG Pocketplayers to swap the game’s rarest cardscould devolve into players paying real-world money for them via third-party sellers. While it’s possible thatPokemon TCG Pocketeases any potential restrictions on trading after the feature has had time to be tested by players, it seems unlikely the rarest of the rare cards will ever be tradeable to avoid situations such as this. Although this approach could make it more difficult for some players to fully complete their collections, it may be necessary ifPokemon TCG Pocketwants to keep any third-party trading sites that develop in check.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the fun of collecting Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, an upcoming game for iOS and Android devices from Creatures Inc., the original developers of the Pokémon TCG, and DeNA Co., Ltd. In this game, you will be able to open two booster packs every day at no cost. You can collect digital cards featuring nostalgic artwork from the past as well as brand-new cards that are exclusive to Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.Be on the lookout for new “immersive cards,” which will make you feel as though you’ve leapt into the world of the card’s illustration.
