Visually speaking, it's a really engaging game. It could be worse. Some people are really into pack opening. Like, really into it. So, maybe it'll last a while.
Firstly, something I thought was interesting is that Pocket & Go are basically the inverse gameplay-wise: Go you have unlimited collecting capability, but limited battling capability; in Pocket you are limited in collecting (unless you spend ALL the money) but could battle for 24hrs if you so desired. I know many people would prefer unlimited battling in Go, but honestly I prefer it that way round. Collecting is fun!
However, I like a lot of things about Pocket.
1) As a man who continues to age (despite my repeated insistence to the contrary) my reactions are shot. Therefore, it’s really nice to play a game where you have time to think about your moves and not panic swap because you’re about to get farmed down.
2) It works as it’s supposed to. I don’t think I’ve ever really been affected by a bug in the game, & certainly not when battling.
3) as you say, the the visuals are great!
There’s a really dark side to Pocket though, IMO. There are essentially loot boxes in Go (eg Eggs/Raids), but I think the gambling is much worse in Pocket. It would be so easy to spend hundreds of pounds chasing a particular (rare) card & I’ve seen a few posts asking for help on Reddit. My background is in sports betting, which is now heavily regulated, as it should be. I am concerned at the number of vulnerable people that will suffer with this game whilst there’s no protection for them (this was always something I was passionate about with Go as well). The gaming industry is so far behind on its responsibilities and desperately needs to catch up.
4) My last reply was getting too long to read on mobile, so I started a new one! 😂
For the truly motivated, yeah, I could see how this could be dangerous. I'm not interested in chasing down rare cards, but I'm sure TCG has its "whales." I've seen how people spend and spend on the physical trading card game. These companies know what they're doing, and they have to understand how players with addictive personalities and neurodivergent individuals, i.e. vulnerable people, are helping their bottom line.
Lawmakers and games journalists should recognize these monetization mechanisms for what they are and not accept the gaming industry framing on this issue. I saw a piece a while back saying that Eggs and Raids in Pokémon GO aren't loot boxes. Counterpoint: Come the fuck on. Either you truly believe that, and you're thereby discrediting yourself, or you're being disingenuous, presumably because you want to maintain your access as a member of the press.
Yeah, that’s absurd - they absolutely are loot boxes and it is absolutely gambling. It gets really murky IMO when it’s something that’s played by kids as well. Sports betting is 18+ and for good reason.
My nephews play Go, and I do worry about the potential impact it has on them. Are these games just breeding the next generation of gambling addicts?
But yeah, it’s all just fine because it’s packaged in a game where you can do other stuff? No regulations or support? Gimme a break.
Oh, boy...you've given me a lot to consider here. I actually do appreciate it because you and Kev give really insightful replies, but I still have to go through the process of replying. 😅
1) I like that GO sets battle limits as well. Not sure if Niantic considered that as a means of protecting users from overdoing it, but it's a good function.
2) If you ever wander into one of carolinux355's Thursday Twitch streams, she usually reserves it for GBL, TCG, or a combination of the two. I mention her not only because I'm a regular and because I think she's a genuine delight, but because she has become increasingly enamored with TCG precisely because it is turn-based and she can better strategize when she has time to think. This is all to say that Caroline has considered these issues and would be apt to discuss them with Chat.
3) One of PoGO's strengths is its visuals, even amid creative bankruptcy and performance woes. That TCGP has fantastic visuals and performs seamlessly is a significant advantage over PoGO. Again, "better" has limited value given they are very different games, but TCG is the clear victor in this respect.
I'm on the fence with this. I keep saying I'm gonna download it and then flaking haha. On one hand, it seems like it might be fun. On the other hand, god, do I really need another game? It is pretty bonkers that it's outsold PoGO though.
I actually have a reply to you in these comments, but I don't think it shows up as a direct reply. If you're not opening a lot of packs, which I don't recommend because it could get expensive, I don't feel like there's a lot to do unless you get into the weeds of PvP. Also, the Substack app sucks ass.
Again, I'm coming at this as someone once bitten, twice shy after spending money on Pokémon GO alongside my then-girlfriend during the pandemic, but I can't see how people are spending vast sums on Pokémon TCG Pocket. There's, ahem, even less to do in that game vs. PoGO. To each their own, I guess.
Personally, I like the artistry and animation of the cards. It feels new and special. Maybe they can find a way to keep it interesting and playable.
Visually speaking, it's a really engaging game. It could be worse. Some people are really into pack opening. Like, really into it. So, maybe it'll last a while.
Oh, I have many thoughts about this!
Firstly, something I thought was interesting is that Pocket & Go are basically the inverse gameplay-wise: Go you have unlimited collecting capability, but limited battling capability; in Pocket you are limited in collecting (unless you spend ALL the money) but could battle for 24hrs if you so desired. I know many people would prefer unlimited battling in Go, but honestly I prefer it that way round. Collecting is fun!
However, I like a lot of things about Pocket.
1) As a man who continues to age (despite my repeated insistence to the contrary) my reactions are shot. Therefore, it’s really nice to play a game where you have time to think about your moves and not panic swap because you’re about to get farmed down.
2) It works as it’s supposed to. I don’t think I’ve ever really been affected by a bug in the game, & certainly not when battling.
3) as you say, the the visuals are great!
There’s a really dark side to Pocket though, IMO. There are essentially loot boxes in Go (eg Eggs/Raids), but I think the gambling is much worse in Pocket. It would be so easy to spend hundreds of pounds chasing a particular (rare) card & I’ve seen a few posts asking for help on Reddit. My background is in sports betting, which is now heavily regulated, as it should be. I am concerned at the number of vulnerable people that will suffer with this game whilst there’s no protection for them (this was always something I was passionate about with Go as well). The gaming industry is so far behind on its responsibilities and desperately needs to catch up.
4) My last reply was getting too long to read on mobile, so I started a new one! 😂
For the truly motivated, yeah, I could see how this could be dangerous. I'm not interested in chasing down rare cards, but I'm sure TCG has its "whales." I've seen how people spend and spend on the physical trading card game. These companies know what they're doing, and they have to understand how players with addictive personalities and neurodivergent individuals, i.e. vulnerable people, are helping their bottom line.
Lawmakers and games journalists should recognize these monetization mechanisms for what they are and not accept the gaming industry framing on this issue. I saw a piece a while back saying that Eggs and Raids in Pokémon GO aren't loot boxes. Counterpoint: Come the fuck on. Either you truly believe that, and you're thereby discrediting yourself, or you're being disingenuous, presumably because you want to maintain your access as a member of the press.
Yeah, that’s absurd - they absolutely are loot boxes and it is absolutely gambling. It gets really murky IMO when it’s something that’s played by kids as well. Sports betting is 18+ and for good reason.
My nephews play Go, and I do worry about the potential impact it has on them. Are these games just breeding the next generation of gambling addicts?
But yeah, it’s all just fine because it’s packaged in a game where you can do other stuff? No regulations or support? Gimme a break.
Oh, boy...you've given me a lot to consider here. I actually do appreciate it because you and Kev give really insightful replies, but I still have to go through the process of replying. 😅
1) I like that GO sets battle limits as well. Not sure if Niantic considered that as a means of protecting users from overdoing it, but it's a good function.
2) If you ever wander into one of carolinux355's Thursday Twitch streams, she usually reserves it for GBL, TCG, or a combination of the two. I mention her not only because I'm a regular and because I think she's a genuine delight, but because she has become increasingly enamored with TCG precisely because it is turn-based and she can better strategize when she has time to think. This is all to say that Caroline has considered these issues and would be apt to discuss them with Chat.
3) One of PoGO's strengths is its visuals, even amid creative bankruptcy and performance woes. That TCGP has fantastic visuals and performs seamlessly is a significant advantage over PoGO. Again, "better" has limited value given they are very different games, but TCG is the clear victor in this respect.
Haha, #sorrynotsorry. I always appreciate your replies 🥰
Will check out the stream if I’m available at some point!
I'm on the fence with this. I keep saying I'm gonna download it and then flaking haha. On one hand, it seems like it might be fun. On the other hand, god, do I really need another game? It is pretty bonkers that it's outsold PoGO though.
I actually have a reply to you in these comments, but I don't think it shows up as a direct reply. If you're not opening a lot of packs, which I don't recommend because it could get expensive, I don't feel like there's a lot to do unless you get into the weeds of PvP. Also, the Substack app sucks ass.
Again, I'm coming at this as someone once bitten, twice shy after spending money on Pokémon GO alongside my then-girlfriend during the pandemic, but I can't see how people are spending vast sums on Pokémon TCG Pocket. There's, ahem, even less to do in that game vs. PoGO. To each their own, I guess.