Some fans of the Pokemon franchise may also enjoy its trading card game. Among them, some even take it online, with the official Pokemon TCG Online. But due to its age, the company is retiring the old platform, and replacing it with the new Pokemon Trading Card Game Live.
Much like the older version, Pokemon TCG Live will allow for real cards that you own to be transferred to the video game version using digital codes that come with booster packs. You can earn a new card from the game directly, using currency earned from daily quests and the like.
Improvements over TCG Online include new features like online matchmaking, and the spending trap that is the battle pass. You also get a form of avatar customisation, despite it being far from the main point of the game.
Though very notably, one missing feature has the ability to trade with other players. This includes cards, unopened booster packs and other accessories like card sleeves. Which is strange, for a digital trading card game.
Also, existing players of Pokemon TCG Online will have their card library partially transferred to TCG Live. The word partially is the key here, as there are some clear exceptions. Only four copies of a unique card will be transferred, and this number goes down to one for ACE SPEC or Prism Star card. and each part of a Pokemon V-UNION card. You can bring over up to 59 energy cards though. Older cards will also not be carried over, which is a bummer for those who play the Legacy format.
The Pokemon TCG Live will get a mobile soft launch in Canada and a global open beta for PC and Mac later this year, but no exact date for these just yet. Naturally this extends to when the game will be launched proper. But before the full launch, the older TCG Online will be brought offline.
(Source: The Pokemon Company [1], [2], [3], [4] via SlashGear)
