Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Changes Coming to Pokémon TCG Online Code Redemptions

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ticka222

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Changes Coming to Pokémon TCG Online Code Redemptions!POSTED: December 19, 2012 BY: Prof_Mathis
Starting with the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White series, specially marked booster packs have included a Pokémon TCG Online code card. These codes can be redeemed for booster credits in the Pokémon TCG Online shop, which can then be used to unlock digital booster packs from any expansion available in the online game.


During the early stages of beta testing, the booster credit method provided access to expansions that were in the online game but did not contain code cards: the HeartGold & SoulSilver series and the Call of Legends expansion. While complex, the booster credit system created a diverse card pool, allowing players to construct a wide array of exciting decks.

Now in its second year, the Pokémon TCG Online has 12 expansions available, with number 13 coming in February 2013: Black & White—Plasma Storm. As the card pool continues to deepen, the need for this complex booster credit system has decreased. Over the next 18 months, a more streamlined redemption process will be rolled out, making it easier than ever to get straight into the game.

Beginning with the Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion, each Pokémon TCG Online code card found in a booster pack will unlock a digital booster pack from the same expansion, rather than a booster credit. For now, code cards from earlier expansions will continue to unlock booster credits, which can be redeemed for any expansion released before Black & White—Plasma Storm that is currently available in the online game. When the transition is complete, unredeemed code cards from every Pokémon TCG expansion will unlock digital booster packs from the same expansion. Booster packs from expansions that do not contain code cards but are available in the online game will be available by other means.

Our goal is to complete this transition before the end of 2014. We will continue to keep the community informed via news articles as the transition progresses. Each article will outline the next step in the process and will be posted a minimum of 30 days before that next step goes into effect so these changes do not catch players by surprise.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you in the game!

Comments are closed.
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source:
http://www.pokemontcg.com/news/?p=315
 
As the card pool continues to deepen, the need for this complex booster credit system has decreased. Over the next 18 months, a more streamlined redemption process will be rolled out, making it easier than ever to get straight into the game.

Beginning with the Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion, each Pokémon TCG Online code card found in a booster pack will unlock a digital booster pack from the same expansion, rather than a booster credit. For now, code cards from earlier expansions will continue to unlock booster credits, which can be redeemed for any expansion released before Black & White—Plasma Storm that is currently available in the online game. When the transition is complete, unredeemed code cards from every Pokémon TCG expansion will unlock digital booster packs from the same expansion. Booster packs from expansions that do not contain code cards but are available in the online game will be available by other means.
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This is not a change I like, I understand the logic behind it, but I don't like it.

New System will be this-
Redeem Code -> Get Pack of the code that was redeemed. -> Open Pack

Compared to the Current system
Redeem Code -> Get Booster Credit -> Redeem for choice of pack -> Open Pack

Each step (->) requires a move to a different screen, if you are redeeming/opening multiple packs, this change of screen is not a big issue.

So this new change is going to save us a step but at a cost, we won't be able to have a choice of which packs we want for our codes. Having a choice is well worth this extra step, even if you are redeeming a small number of codes.

Also, when a new set is released, players will have to wait until they open IRL packs for the codes (or the codes in trade) in order to redeem the codes and obtain the cards online. This means that players will have to wait in order to use the new cards online. Under the new system, Players will be unable stockpile codes of the previous set to save them for the next set.

~My 2 cents
 
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LOLZ said:
This is not a change I like, I understand the logic behind it, but I don't like it.

New System will be this-
Redeem Code -> Get Pack of the code that was redeemed. -> Open Pack

Compared to the Current system
Redeem Code -> Get Booster Credit -> Redeem for choice of pack -> Open Pack

Each step (->) requires a move to a different screen, if you are redeeming/opening multiple packs, this change of screen is not a big issue.

So this new change is going to save us a step but at a cost, we won't be able to have a choice of which packs we want for our codes. Having a choice is well worth this extra step, even if you are redeeming a small number of codes.

Also, when a new set is released, players will have to wait until they open IRL packs for the codes (or the codes in trade) in order to redeem the codes and obtain the cards online. This means that players will have to wait in order to use the new cards online. Under the new system, Players will be unable stockpile codes of the previous set to save them for the next set.

~My 2 cents
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it is a terrible decision for the players but probably a great decision for tcgo monetarily. trades will dramatically shift to where the new plasma packs will be worth much more than all previous packs. the players that have them will reap benefits but the players that don't will suffer. trading is going to be a lot slower when the set releases. no longer will we have thousands of credits spent on release day, a day that is always the best day of trading every few months. new cards are going to be traded for MUCH more than they are worth.

there have been a ton of players i have talked to that said they are happy with what they have online and are saving the codes they have left for the next sets. forget them! lets not even consider them tcgo! what happens when i have all the plasma cards i want online? ill just stop buying plasma packs irl knowing i cant use them to complete other sets. you're taking away our ability to buy variety of irl cards to complete digital sets that have no value. we are already giving you money and you want to take this away.

its a bad step imo, but what do our opinions matter? they've probably already invested thousands of dollars and hundreds of man hours into creating this new system and they aren't going to look back even if they do realize it's a bad move atm.

now that i think of it, if this was never even an option to begin with, players would constantly be asking when they will be able to unlock any packs with any code. great step backwards.
 
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It's not a bad idea IMO, and it'll likely continue to drive RL sales as well. Additionally, codes will now vary in value based on the set they are from.
 
A question...

If we enter our codes in NOW, but don't redeem them for actual booster packs until later, do they still count as an "any" booster pack? Or do they count as a booster pack from the set listed on the card? I was waiting to redeem my codes until I knew better what the TCGO was going to be in the future. But, if they're going to take the choice of boosters away from me, I'm just going to enter them in now and then wait until I know what packs I need the most.
 
I'm reading the announcement carefully, and maybe we haven't all grasped what this means immediately:

Beginning with the Black & White—Plasma Storm expansion, each Pokémon TCG Online code card found in a booster pack will unlock a digital booster pack from the same expansion, rather than a booster credit.
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Code cards from Plasma Storm will only unlock Plasma Storm virtual boosters. Got it.

For now, code cards from earlier expansions will continue to unlock booster credits, which can be redeemed for any expansion released before Black & White—Plasma Storm
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Uh oh. You mean the boxes and boxes of codes that people have saved up cannot be used to get Plasma Storm?
So, even though we have 18 more months of the booster credit system, all of the codes in existence today can only be used on expansions through Boundaries Crossed.
 
losjackal said:
So, even though we have 18 more months of the booster credit system, all of the codes in existence today can only be used on expansions through Boundaries Crossed.
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Effective February, the only way to get booster credits will be from code cards in Black & White through Boundaries Crossed boosters. Booster credits will only be redeemable for HeartGold & SoulSilver through Boundaries Crossed digital boosters.

If you want Plasma Storm packs in the game, you'll need to use code cards from Plasma Storm boosters. This same process will apply to every set after Plasma Storm.

We're be completely phasing out booster credits before the end of 2014. This will be a multi-step transition, rather than an immediate change. As mentioned in the original news article, we'll announce the next step in the transition at least 30 days prior to the change. By the end of the process, code cards from all boosters will unlock digital boosters for the same set from which the code card came. This will include code cards from Black & White through Boundaries Crossed.
 
Is it possible that some sort of statement could be made explaining this change?

Unless it's a downright logistical nightmare for you guys, I don't think there's a player that is actually happy about this...maybe neutrality, but I'm not seeing any positive reactions.
 
King Piplup said:
Is it possible that some sort of statement could be made explaining this change?

Unless it's a downright logistical nightmare for you guys, I don't think there's a player that is actually happy about this...maybe neutrality, but I'm not seeing any positive reactions.
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Then let me be the first! This is fewer clicks for redeeming codes, and changes the "economy" from trading pack codes to trading cards for cards. I love this change.
 
Though I've not redeemed any of my code cards yet, I've always liked the idea that they were accompanied by "physical" cards. When booster credits are phased out by the end of 2014, hopefully, that won't be replaced by the need to buy "vaporware" boosters.
 
Well this sucks. IMO, this change is a terrible idea. Yes, I can see the monetary value, and I know Pokemon is a business, but really TPCI?
 
ApachePrime said:
This is fewer clicks for redeeming codes, and changes the "economy" from trading pack codes to trading cards for cards.
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Oh, trading packs for cards will still remain. It's just that the Plasma Storm packs online will become that much more valuable, due to scarcity: you won't be able to obtain Plasma Storm virtual packs by redeeming any of the thousands of codes that are in circulation today. These packs will lose relative value. For instance: want to trade for a Ghetsis? Perhaps it will cost you 2 Plasma Storm packs, or 3 packs from Dark Explorers, or 5 packs from some other set. Something like that.

Furthermore, removing booster credits as the de facto currency on PTCGO opens the door for gems to have value.
 
ApachePrime said:
Then let me be the first! This is fewer clicks for redeeming codes, and changes the "economy" from trading pack codes to trading cards for cards. I love this change.
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They could have implemented fewer clicks by just giving you a booster credit when you enter the code. Instead of entering the code, then clicking the checkbox next to the credit, then clicking REDEEM, then clicking OK. If we still have to go through the same steps I'm not sure how this helps with regard to clicks.
 
Sounds pretty fair to me, if your codes only unlock the same pack you bought IRL.
If you have not entered the codes by the time the full change is implemented, then you still can use them to get the pack that the code came from.

As usual if you are not going to use your codes, I will be more than happy to take them off your hands...
 
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