The Pokémon Company has finally announced the long-awaited trading feature for Pokémon TCG Pocket, set to launch later this month alongside the game's next set of cards. However, the excitement is tempered by the revelation that trading will come with some significant restrictions and costs.

According to the company's statement, players will only be able to trade cards with friends in the game, and even then, only if the cards have the same rarity. This means that powerful EX cards cannot be traded for more common ones, and trades are limited to cards with rarities of 1-4 diamonds or single star full-art cards.

Furthermore, The Pokémon Company has introduced an item requirement for trades, although it remains unclear which specific items will be needed. It is speculated that the process will involve spending Poké gold, one of the game's multiple in-game currencies that can be purchased with real money. This move is seen as a way for the game to generate additional revenue, given how easily certain duplicates can be accumulated from every set.

The introduction of trading functionality is a significant development for Pokémon TCG Pocket, which has been criticized for its limited features compared to other digital collectible card games. However, the restrictions and costs associated with trading may dampen the enthusiasm of some players.

In response to the concerns and questions raised by the announcement, the official Pokémon TCG Pocket account has encouraged players to provide feedback once the feature is launched. This suggests that the company is open to refining the trading system based on user input, which could potentially lead to changes in the future.

The launch of trading functionality in Pokémon TCG Pocket is a significant milestone for the game, but its impact will depend on how players respond to the restrictions and costs involved. As the digital collectible card game market continues to evolve, The Pokémon Company will need to balance its revenue goals with the needs and expectations of its user base.

With the trading feature set to launch later this month, Pokémon TCG Pocket players will be eagerly watching for further updates and clarification on the specifics of the system. As the game continues to grow and evolve, it remains to be seen how the trading feature will shape the player experience and the game's overall trajectory.