Pokémon TCG Pocket's New Trading Change Gives It A Big Step Up On Pokémon GO

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket‘s willingness to make big changes to its controversial features shows why it’s thriving as Pokémon GO continues to struggle. The Pokémon franchise has gradually built up its presence in the mobile space over the last decade, with Pokémon GO serving as its cornerstone. However, the game’s fanbase has fractured in recent years due to a changing game model that has pushed additional microtransactions onto players.

Meanwhile, the new Pokémon TCG Pocket app has just announced it will be making further changes to its controversial trading feature, which was widely considered to be the game’s first big “miss” in terms of content. The developer’s willingness to basically scrap its existing system for one that directly addresses fan complaints shows a major difference between how Pokémon TCG Pocket approaches its fans versus Pokémon GO. These differences help to demonstrate that Pokémon TCG Pocket is on the upswing while Pokémon GO is struggling with fans.

How Pokémon TCG Pocket Changed Its Trading Feature

Pokémon TCG Pocket Opted To Scrap Its Exclusive Trading Currency

On March 13, Pokémon TCG Pocket announced its plans to overhaul trading, and they sound promising. Later this year, Pokémon TCG Pocket will remove the trade token currency that’s currently required to make trades. Instead, players will need to use Shinedust, a more common currency currently used to add “flair” to cards, to trade higher rarity cards. Because Shinedust will now have an additional use within the game, players will have more ways to earn Shinedust. One announced way is that players will automatically earn Shinedust whenever they get a card that they already have in their collection.

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Additionally, Pokémon TCG Pocket will also make it easier to make trades in the future. A new feature will allow players to share which cards they want to trade for. This should make it easier for players to make trades with friends remotely, which is not really practically possible in the app. While some hurdles still remain, this new feature makes the game’s trading closer in line with the Global Trade System used in Pokémon HOME and older Pokémon games.

What Fans Think Of The New Changes

Fans Are Directly Comparing The Changes To Pokémon Go

Over on Reddit, fans are directly comparing how Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket addressed controversy compared to Pokémon GO‘s tumultuous relationship with fans. “Wow they listened,” wrote opal-snake. “As a [Pokémon GO] player this is a breath of fresh air.” Other players noted how the move impacted their view of the game as a whole. “This gave me goodwill to the game,” added 2ndPick. “This is like a complete overhaul of trading system for the better.”

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One common theme was how the game’s move towards keeping the game player-friendly compared to fears over Scopely’s recent takeover of Pokémon GO. Some users commented on how Scopely’s games aren’t friendly to new players, which stands in stark comparison to the lengths Pokémon TCG Pocket is undertaking to keep the game balanced for both paid and free users of the game. Others noted how the proposed changes are very unlike how free-to-play games usually act, with RememberApeEscape stating “What a rare W for a gacha company.“

How Listening To Fans Helps Pokémon TCG Pocket In The Long Run

Goodwill Is Important To Keep Players Wanting To Spend Money Instead Of Feeling Like They Need To

Pokemon TCG Pocket Giratina next to two other Pokemon. — Custom Image by Christian Hoffer

One thing to keep in mind is that Pokémon TCG Pocket players can afford to be patient when it comes to their spending habits. There are currently plenty of ways to get “free” packs through Pack Hourglasses and giveaways. The space between releases means that a patient player can collect many of the cards they need in any given set just through freely available options. Since the system doesn’t require frequent investment, a faster pace of spending on premium content and currencies is dependent on the community’s goodwill toward the game rather than a sense of necessity.

Glaceon ex, Manaphy, and Articuno ex in Pokémon TCG Pocket with the Gold Triumphant Light Emblem.

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The new trading system is largely a goodwill gesture to players, showing them they don’t need to spend money on the game to have a good time. That may seem counterproductive on some level, but keep in mind that Pokémon TCG Pocket is internally developed through a joint studio with DeNA. Therefore, Pokémon doesn’t need to maximize profits on this game; they can use it as a way to keep generating interest in both the card games and the overall franchise.

Ultimately, moves like this and the general resistance to “maximize” profits with tons of FOMO-driven premium cosmetics are good for Pokémon TCG Pocket in the long run. This game serves as a great ambassador for the overall Pokémon franchise, and can be enjoyed by young players for free or by older players who have excess income to spare. Keeping Pokémon TCG Pocket friendly to consumers is a great move, especially with Pokémon GO in unsteady hands.

Source: Reddit (opal-snake, 2ndPick, RememberApeEscape)