Key Takeaways
- Pokemon TCG Pocket’s devs have issued a warning to players with offensive usernames.
- The in-app message warns offenders that they will be subjected to name changes, warnings, and maybe even suspensions.
- There is currently no way to report players you find with offensive names, something that will hopefully change in the future.
Pokemon TCG Pocket has taken the world by storm, quickly becoming the series’ second-biggest mobile game behind Pokemon Go. Bringing the incredibly popular card game to mobile naturally appeals to a broad spectrum of Pokemon fans, from children to those of us who have been there since the beginning, which is why it’s so surprising that it’s taken The Pokemon Company a month to address the app’s username problem.
Like most online games, one of the first things you’re asked to do after downloading Pokemon Pocket is create a username. Some will use their real name – even though it’s recommended you don’t – some will have a go-to they use for everything like I tend to do, and others might go for something Pokemon-themed. However, there are a select few players using Pocket who have opted for offensive, and in some instances downright disgusting, display names.
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Pokemon Pocket players will have found a message in their in-game inbox this morning courtesy of the app’s devs, assuring them that action is being taken against those with usernames that are causing “discomfort to other users” as The Pokemon Company puts it. Those with names that breach Pokemon Pocket’s terms of use have been told their names will be changed, they may receive a warning, and in some cases will receive be slapped with a suspension.
Pokemon Pocket’s Devs Are Coming After Players With Offensive Usernames
Name Changes, Warnings, And Maybe Even Suspensions Will Be Issued
I’m assuming the escalation of responses to having an offensive username is either dictated by how many times the same player tries to get away with having a display name that causes discomfort, or perhaps if the username is so offensive that a suspension is issued immediately. The Pokemon Company hasn’t detailed whether this is a strikes system or if it will judge offensive names on a case-by-case basis.
While every online game that requires a username will have faced this issue, as detailed in TheGamer’s Ben Sledge’s feature earlier this month, the offensive names in Pokemon Pocket are only half the problem. It’s also the inability to do anything when you come across them. Sure, you can leave a battle or refuse to Wonder Pick from their packs, but there still doesn’t appear to be an option to report a player who has a name that needs to be addressed and dealt with.
These are still early days for Pokemon Pocket, of course, and it’s nice to see the username issue is one that’s being dealt with. There will be a lot more changes rolled out in-game throughout the rest of 2024 and into 2025 with new Booster Packs coming before the end of the year, and limited trading getting its introduction in January.
Experience the fun of collecting Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards with Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, an upcoming game for iOS and Android devices from Creatures Inc., the original developers of the Pokémon TCG, and DeNA Co., Ltd.
- Released
- October 30, 2024