Pokémon TCG Pocket is one of the most successful mobile apps, reaching $1.3 billion (~£1.04 billion) in revenue in just one year. As it keeps getting expansions and the battles get more intense, will it become an esport?
At the Pokémon Europe International Championships last weekend, Chris Brown, Director of Global Esports and Events at The Pokémon Company, said it’s not happening.
Is Pokémon TCG Pocket a Competitive Mobile Game?
Pokémon TCG Pocket is a digital card game designed for both collectors and competitors, offering a simplified version of trading card game battles for practice. The battles in Pokémon TCG Pocket are a lot faster and simpler than the real-life TCG, but the addition of more expansions has made the battle system a bit more competitive.
It has become a staple side event at Pokémon regionals and internationals, meaning you can join small ‘tournaments’ for fun, but these are not organised tournaments with a circuit, prize pool or championship.
With the decks being just 20 cards and there being fewer mechanics, Pokémon and card types, you are bound to see a lot of repeat Pokémon and strategies in these side events. Some regionals have implemented a two-deck format, meaning competitors must switch to a second unplayed deck after winning a match with their first, forcing greater card diversity.
Brown spoke with Insider Gaming at the EIC, saying that Pocket ‘feels great’ but is more a ‘casual way for people to meet up’ rather than an esport.
“We are talking through things like how we can encourage trading, we want to support the Pocket community at the shows, but there are no plans for it to be a main title,” he said.
When it comes to competitive titles, Pokémon is sticking to the physical TCG, the video game (VGC) and UNITE. There will most likely be an organised esports circuit for Champions.
