Pokemon TCG Pocket faces backlash over pay-to-win concerns after 30 million downloads

Pokemon TCG Pocket, launched in October, has quickly gained 30 million downloads but faces criticism for being a pay-to-win game. Players argue that while all cards can be earned for free, the time required to unlock them is excessive. Calculations suggest it could take 655 days to unlock all cards in the first set without spending money. Players with a premium pass can reduce this time to 437 days, highlighting the advantage of paying for faster progress. The game's digital format adds to the controversy, as players miss out on the tangible benefits of physical cards, such as trading or selling duplicates. The absence of trading further intensifies concerns about the game's monetization strategy.