Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Promo Cards May Be FOMO-Inducing in The Long Run

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Pokemon TCG Pocket's Promo Cards May Be FOMO-Inducing in The Long Run

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the latest addition to the Pokemon family, the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, has certainly caught my attention. The game’s initial success is nothing short of impressive, with millions downloading it in just a few days and earning a staggering $3 million on its first day.

The newest spin-off for mobile devices, titled “Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket“, made its global debut on October 30, 2024. In its first week alone, the game garnered an astounding 30 million downloads across Android and iOS platforms, generating approximately $3 million in a single day. This mobile game has been met with overwhelming approval from players, as evidenced by its high ratings on both the Google Play Store (4.5/5) and the App Store (4.8/5). Such positive reception is remarkable for any mobile game, indicating the exceptional quality of “Pokemon TCG Pocket“.

As a fellow gamer, let me share my thoughts on Pokemon TCG Pocket. Despite being marketed towards kids, I’ve found that it’s loaded with microtransactions and in-game currencies. It sometimes feels like a gacha game due to its aggressive monetization tactics. Now, don’t get me wrong, at heart it’s still the Pokemon Trading Card Game (PTCG), but the way they’ve implemented these money-making methods can make it feel quite different.

The Limited Availability of the Promo Cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket Can Induce FOMO

Promo Cards Can Only Be Obtained Through Special Means

In the traditional Pokemon Trading Card Game, promotional or ‘promo’ cards aren’t found inside booster packs. Instead, they come with special items like elite trainer boxes, tins, and premium collections. Additionally, some can be earned at tournaments, giveaways, contests, and other real-life promotional events. In the digital version of the game, Pokemon TCG Pocket, promo cards may not be physical, but they are obtained similarly. Certain cards can be bought in-game, while others can be earned through missions, promo packs, drop events, Wonder Pick Events, and various other methods.

In the Pokemon TCG Pocket game, you’ll find 24 Promotional Cards available at present. However, just eight of these can be directly purchased. The remaining cards are only accessible through limited-time events. For instance, from November 1-15, 2024, players can secure Chansey (Promo-A 11) and Meowth (Promo A-12) using the Wonder Pick mechanism during this period. Once this event concludes, these specific Promotional Cards featuring Chansey and Meowth will no longer be obtainable, making them rare due to their artificial scarcity.

Pokemon GO is Also Guilty of Locking Content Behind Time-Limited Events

In the past, it hasn’t been uncommon for Pokemon mobile games to leverage players’ fear of missing out (FOMO). For example, the highly popular game, Pokemon GO, has garnered attention for restricting certain Pokemon versions, costumes, and items to time-limited events that are only accessible in specific areas worldwide. Fortunately, most event-exclusive Pokemon in this game become available again at a later point. The seasonal content in Pokemon GO does change annually, but with so many events happening simultaneously, it can be challenging to keep track of them all.

The Pokemon Company Shouldn’t Go Overboard With the Use of FOMO in Pokemon TCG Pocket

Due to the recent release of the Pokemon TCG Pocket, it’s uncertain if the temporary Promo Cards within the game will be accessible to latecomer players, similar to the situation in Pokemon GO. Since the developers have yet to address this issue, it seems unlikely that these cards will become available later. To minimize feelings of exclusion or FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), The Pokemon Company should consider limiting the number of event-exclusive Pokemon cards in the game. Although having limited-time Promo Cards adds an element of excitement to the game, excessive use may lead to player dissatisfaction.

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2024-11-11 23:43