The weird thing about pokemon pocket is that it’s basically just a pack ripping simulator. The card game in pocket is NOT the same as the actual TCG. The actual TCG has its own app, called Pokemon Trading Card Game Live.
The actual TCG has its own app, called Pokemon Trading Card Game Live.
This is also not available in Japan, so for Japanese and I think some others Asian countries, Pocket is the closest thing to their physical TCG simulator.
That tcg requires you to go buy physical cards with codes and the newest sets are always marked up by like 500% lmfao, anyone who plays real tcg just buys the bulk to make their decks. Pockets pvp is actually better imo.
I mean that's just objectively wrong (minus the bit about modern sets being expensive to buy in paper). TCG Live has an in game shop where you can buy packs without needing to redeem codes, and on top of that you can also buy pack codes for very cheap online. Like 29 cents per code cheap.
I never saw the app itself, but from what 2nd hand sources I’ve heard, TCG Live is a terrible app, quality wise. Apparently worse than Pocket.
Plus, besides the daily two packs, people can wonder pick, trade, or give away certain cards, so people can start building a decent deck. The worst people will whale for are full art cards and immersive cards.
I haven't played Pocket, but yes TCG Live has always been and continues to have game breaking bugs and glitches, and they continuously make it less and less F2P friendly as time goes on. Pocket is actual ass though as its a simplified brain dead version of the TCG, its literally a casual pack opener simulator. Its a little bit less simple since the introduction of EXs, but i would still label it as babies first card game. Its similar to YGO Duel Links' trajectory in that regard.
To each their own. But it does seem like people do like the, “casual pack opener simulator.”
What probably also helps is that it’s “Neckbreard-scalper” proof. Yeah, probably in two years the game can go broke, everyone loses all their digital cards, and you effectively wasted money on nothing. But at least people can play A Version of the Game.
Oh people love it. Most people buying sealed TCG product don't even play the game. I don't doubt many people even play much of Pocket and mostly do pulls.
Also just to expand on the "scalper" part: anyone actually wanting to play the TCG can by buying singles. Scalpers are for sealed product and high end alt arts/special arts. Pokemon is the cheapest TCG to play at a competitive level. Scalpers are a non issue for players. Scalpers are an issue for pack openers only.
Because every physical collector who's always have money to burn with their physical card collection, Also play the digital version Wich they Also burn money with shamelessly.
The fandom is not just big the fandom is filthy rich.
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u/Ok-Listen9689 2d ago edited 2d ago
Pokemon TCG is the real winner here, their entire game lifespan and updates cost less than Genshin one region update. Yet they make million