New Pokémon TCG game announced, with no trading at all

The Pokémon Company has announced with great fanfare a new title that will replace the franchise's 10-year-old online card game.

Pokémon TCG Live is set to continue with the same free-to-play model of its predecessor, adding new features that already exist in other games of the same genre, like battle passes, ranked queues, daily challenges, and versions for both PC and Mac, as well as for Android and iOS.

"As we look back on 25 wonderful years of Pokémon, we remember once again how the Pokémon TCG has always been a strong mainstay of the franchise and loved by Trainers young and old alike," said Barry Sams, Vice President of Pokémon TCG at The Pokémon Company.

However, the announcement of this new title has come with some criticism from its community, due to some of the big changes it will bring such as the retirement of old sets and expansions, its new abstract interface and avatars, and the elimination of its trading system, somewhat ironic given the theme of the game.

The fact that you can't trade in a *trading* card game is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/iLqbYuOwOd

— Clint Matos (@Clint_Matos) September 20, 2021

Our current ptcgo looks way better then this. Our current accounts need to transfer over as well. Please consider updating the graphics to at minimum the quality we already have. This is a downgrade.

— Rayen (@RayenDark) September 20, 2021

So the "pokemon trading card game" without... trading. This makes sense. Clearly not putting profit over players and community here...
I thought it was a joke when someone said you can't trade.

— Brandon (@b_radical303) September 20, 2021

Microtransactions, limit for card copies, and new in-game currencies

The Pokémon Company also revealed that although players will be able to export their collection of cards, this will not be possible with their created decks, in addition, they will only have a certain maximum of copies of a unique Pokémon TCG card.

To deal with this, Pokémon TCG Live will introduce the well-known dusting system, by converting leftover cards into credits that players can use to get new or repeated cards of their choosing.

The game will incorporate microtransactions through coins and crystals, which can be used to buy packs and credits, while the codes available in physical packs and bundles will still be redeemable within the in-game store.

“Pokémon TCG Live will go hand in hand. with the tabletop version fans know and love, and welcomes a new era of digital gaming where Trainers from around the world can play together regardless of their preferred platform,” added Sams.

While the exact date of its launch wasn’t revealed, players will be able to participate in its mobile soft launch in Canada, as well as the global open beta for PCs and Macs, later this year.

Pokémon TCG Online will be shut down shortly prior to the launch of Pokémon TCG Live.

• Read more: All events featured in Pokémon GO for September 2021

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Featured image courtesy of The Pokémon Company.