Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocketis a great introduction to the card game. The title lets players enjoy the game in a very low-stakes environment, allowing new and existing fans to collect virtual cards and put their favorite designs on display. Of course, the mobile game also lets players try their hand at battling using the simplified digital versions of the real-world cards. But there’s one feature that’s severely missing from thePokémon TCG Pocketgame: A way to interact with other players. At the moment,there is no chat or messaging system in the game.
The only way to interact with a fellowTCGPplayer is by sending them a “Thanks” after certain actions, like aftermaking a Wonder Pick, or by “liking” someone’s binder or display card in the community showcase. This isn’t surprising, asPokémon GOalso has no way to chat or speak to other players. This is likely for safety reasons, since being able to speak to other players opens up opportunities for potential harassment and negativity. On the other hand,it would be nice to have some way to interact with opponents in battle, even if it’s not in the form of full-on chats. And that’s exactly whyPokémon TCG Pocketshould adopt this one feature fromHearthstone.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Should Add Canned Responses
TCG Pocket Could Use An Emote-Like System
Considering how manyTCG Pocketplayers have problematic usernames, it would probably be a bad idea to give players the opportunity to openly chat with others. Instead, the game shouldlearn from a different popular mobile card game,Hearthstone.Chatting isn’t available inHearthstoneeither, but the game implements emotes that let players express themselves.
How To Check Which Pokémon TCG Pocket Cards Are Missing From Each Pack
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A similar system ofcanned responses would be a great addition toPokémon TCG Pocket.Having a system like the emotes inHearthstonewould allow players to show their admiration for a particularly good play in a battle. Emotes would also work in other aspects of the game, like being able to have a more meaningful reaction to a binder that players love. Expanding the ways players can engage with each other will also produce more meaningful interactions with the game itself.
Pokémon TCG Pocket Could Learn From Hearthstone’s Emotes
Hearthstone’s Emotes Are Not Without Their Flaws
The whole purpose ofHeartstone’scanned response emotes is to keep interactions friendly. In reality,the game has developed its own rules surrounding the emotes and their etiquette. For instance, spamming an emote during a match, using the “well played” emote after an overwhelming victory, or using the “greetings” emote when an opponent is taking a long time to act are all seen asbad manners in the game.
That doesn’t mean that emotes are bad, butTCG Pocketwould have to be mindful when choosing which emotes to add to the game. Making emotes collectible items, for instance, mightlimit player abuse of the canned responses. A system like thecollectible stickers fromPokémon GOor a choice between a few randomly selected reactions might work well in place of choosing a reaction at will.
There are definitely ways to implement canned responses and emotes inPokémon TCG Pocketthat will allow players to interact with each other safely and respectfully. Hopefully, the game will look to other trading card mobile games likeHearthstonefor inspiration on where to take these kinds of interactions next.
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a mobile adaptation that reimagines the classic TCG experience for iOS and Android devices.
