Although the trading feature in Pokémon TCG Pocket has not yet launched, the developers are already taking a firm stance against illegal activities, including trading with real money and other forms of misconduct.
On January 27, 2025, players received a message from the developers in their in-game mail, titled “Taking Action in Response to Inappropriate Conduct,” which addressed concerns about violations of the game’s terms of service.
What Happened?
The developers have noticed that some players have already been breaking the game’s terms, even before the trading feature officially launches on January 29, 2025. These infractions include data tampering and real money trading.
The Pokémon TCG Pocket team has stated that they will take action against these violations, including account warnings, suspensions, and possibly account terminations depending on the severity of the breach.
The warning specifically addresses players who may have engaged in selling accounts or exchanging real money for in-game assets. This could involve transactions on third-party websites, such as eBay, where players resell accounts or rare cards, which directly violates the terms of service.
Trading Feature: Key Limitations
The trading feature is set to go live on January 29, 2025, just a day before the Space-Time Smackdown expansion. While players will soon be able to trade cards, the developers have preemptively implemented measures to discourage illegal trading practices:
- Trading Restrictions: Initially, players will only be able to trade cards with a rarity of ♦1-4 and ★1, and these cards must come from the Genetic Apex or Mythical Island sets. This ensures that players cannot trade rare cards for lower-tier ones or sell cards at an uneven value.
- Trade Tokens and Hourglasses: To unlock trading, players will need Trade Tokens and Trade Hourglasses, both of which come with certain limitations. This creates a more controlled environment for trading, further reducing the temptation for illicit trades.
In-Game Economy and Premium Features
Pokémon TCG Pocket already has built-in limitations to reduce the impact of real money trading. For example, the game features time gates for most of its premium features, such as Pack and Wonder Hourglasses, which can speed up recharge times.
Players can purchase PokéGold to bypass these time gates, but there are daily spending caps, preventing excessive use of real money to advance in the game.
These mechanics, along with the restrictions on which cards can be traded and the implementation of Trade Tokens, aim to foster a fairer trading environment and discourage real money exchanges outside the game.
Developers’ Statement on Inappropriate Conduct
The Pokémon TCG Pocket team is serious about maintaining a safe environment for players. Here is the full statement from the developers:
“Thank you for playing Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. We are aware that some players have engaged in data tampering, real money trading, and other behaviors that violate the Terms of Use. If we confirm that a player has engaged in behavior that violates the Terms of Use, we will warn them, suspend their account, or take other action. We will continue to strive to provide an environment where everyone can safely and comfortably enjoy their experience.”
Conclusion
As Pokémon TCG Pocket prepares to launch its trading feature, the developers are being proactive in addressing concerns about misconduct, including real money trading and account selling.
By implementing strict trading limitations and closely monitoring player behavior, they aim to preserve the integrity of the game and ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all players.
The introduction of Trade Hourglasses and other restrictions should help keep the trading ecosystem clean and focused on in-game progression rather than external transactions.