TCG Live Is Live! (...Mostly?)

It seems some posts on this blog are delayed by certain issues, some of which are beyond my control. This post is one of them, and the  "issue" - at least I deem it as such - is apparently one that has existed even its early days. Nevertheless, by the title of this post, it can be discerned that it as well as the "issue" pertain to the newest platform for playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game virtually, as Trading Card Game Live or TCGL for short. It was finally released on June 8, displacing the previous incarnation, Trading Card Game Online (TCGO), which I've already detailed in a couple of earlier posts. Now that it was released and has taken hold, I'd like to go into some detail on it.

At a glance, the TCGL platform is not much different from its predecessor; most things that can be done on TCGO can be done on TCGL. Still, there are some differences of note, one of them being the visuals; this is, of course, apparent on the main screen, but it's also quite apparent on the playfield, which now contains some new special effects as cards are played. The "Done" button is now the "End Turn" button, clarifying its function, and is situated next to a group of player indicators. From the main screen, a toggle between Ranked and Casual play can also be selected for those who desire to switch between those play modes. The transition from the earlier platform thus should not be too difficult.

So too is the task of migrating, at least for new players. Upon logging in with a PTC account used to play TCGO, a "data transfer" screen will appear; "Migrate" is the clear and best option here, since the TCGO has been discontinued already and it's better to bring extant data anyway. The process doesn't take long and afterwards, it's time to begin playing... after a series of guided battles with the new professor of the game, which I recommend not skipping to get a feel for the new interface. Then it's just a matter of tying up loose ends (redeeming codes and the like) before beginning play.

Now, I'd like to discuss the "issue". The TCGL has been advertised as a "global" or "around the world" release, but in reality, that seems not to be the case. A certain part of the world is in fact excluded from the release (unable to download the desktop version) and players there may have to take "roundabout" approaches in order to play; furthermore, the mobile version also throws up a "not available in this region" message from official means, confirming the exclusion. It also seems to have persisted since the days of the beta, which is strange and/or regrettable. This is exactly why this post has been strangely delayed.

Regardless, now Pokémon TCG Live is (mostly) live and is primed as the next-generation platform for the virtual version of the TCG. The features ought to be similar as the previous TCGO platform - which they are, in fact - but enhanced as they should be for a successor platform. At this point, it's just a matter of getting into it (for both players and their TCGO data, if applicable) and make great progressions in the "live" scene of the new platform with new and old Pokémon cards alike.

One year ago: The Food Element Categories of Café Remix

Two years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: The Lighter Side

Three years ago: Worlds Within Worlds

Four years ago: The New PvP Charged Move Mechanism

Five years ago: AFA ID in Memoriam

Six years ago: Cold as the Winds