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Why bother with event distributions from game stores when Pokemon co isn't distributing enough codes
This is a genuine question. Why bother? I'm not going to buy anything else from the Pokémon Company seeing as they're being so stingy with the codes for their own event. I really wanted at least one each of shiny Miraidon and Koraidon, but I guess since I have a regular work schedule, me and anyone like me are out of luck for getting even one code, let alone one for each version. I have a grand total of 2 gamestops in my state, and both are were out of codes nearly immediately. I went in right after work thinking it was a digital distribution from the stores so I wasn't worried about being able to get a 'mon for each game, but of course Pokémon had to make this harder for ALL of their fans by not giving the stores enough codes. Of course there's also the problem of scalpers taking extra codes and SELLING THEM for what is supposed to be a freely distributed event. This wouldn't be a problem if they just gave the game stores enough codes to go around. I went there the FIRST day and there were no codes left. What's the point of the event going until October 14 when there are no codes left to get? This isn't even the first time this has happened either. The last several game store distributions I actually tried to participate in over the years have been like this. Anytime there is a pokemon worth getting from the events, I try on the first day and they're always already gone. It's not like I'm going at the last minute on the last day of the event. I get there right after work on the first day of each event and it's always the same story, no codes left. What's the point in buying from Pokémon co anymore when it feels like they're punishing their customer base for having jobs and not living their lives based around the distribution events? I was going to buy Pokémon Z-A and even the next mainline game, but now I'm not going to bother. Why spend money on a company that clearly doesn't care about it's customer base? Why advertise an event like everyone is going to be able to get the Pokémon from it when that clearly isn't the case? Maybe change the wording on your event post so it's more realistic and people don't get their hopes up. I've already given up on this event and on the Pokémon Company. I'm done caring about stupid digital creatures that add no real value to my life. Thanks for ruining the magic of the game, Pokémon. Those shiny tera raid events are the last ones I'm ever participating in. I'm done with Pokémon after this huge disappointment.
Answers
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Anyone with code distribution issues should contact support. And remember the person reading your email will never be the one in charge of giving the promotion out so be kind.
what probably happened was the scalpers were in othe store for the TCG release and the GameStop employee just happened to give out the shiny vg cards to them as well.
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Well, yeah, the scalpers were 100% there for the TCG, but that doesn't make anything that I said in my post untrue. Either way, I have filed a proper, if polite, complaint directly to support. Either it will work or it won't.
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I had the same experience. I luckily have quite a few GameStops as I live in a large city. I went only 3 hours after them opening and they were already out. I have always been able to get a download code from GameStop and never had this problem before. I was completely shocked. I called every GameStop I could drive to, and no one had any left. Pokemon really failed here.
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The moment that this was announced with the date attached to the release, it was obvious to anyone that has the bare minimum capability for comparative analysis that this is how it was going to end-up as.
At this point, the level of being this tone-deaf cannot be measured up with regards to being a level of incompetence but rather ill-intent that I cannot fathom as to why. However, the conclusion is clear to me: Pokemon Company is not a business that deserves a dime from me and besides Pokémon Home (where I have what is 20 years of my nostalgia lying in) i'm opting out of getting anything from them and it's fortunate that this came at a time when the Scarlet-Violet era has came to an end where besides some blisters from Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames for the Cosmos Holo cards, I don't need to buy anything from them that will convert to their precious sale numbers.Sincerely from someone who still has their Yellow and Crystal Cartridges who had picked them up almost 25 years ago (Along with all the generations onwards)
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I've sent in an inquiry on Friday and thus far have seen so indication that a human has actually read my e-mail: I've only gotten a generic automated response that addresses none of the concerns in my message and instead just informs me that no purchase is necessary for the S/V code. Any follow-up I tried to make got the exact same response again, and I've seen other people across Pokemon-related forums get the same message with the only differences being what name signs off on it.
I also implore people to be kind to customer support agents who have no power for this and will be the first to hear or see or complaints, and I also think that we should continue sending support tickets because this is one of the few ways our voices can be heard. But it's still frustrating that at this time I haven't heard of anyone being able to get in touch with a live human about this matter.
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I really liked the era when they distributed them wirelessly at events and stores.
The first one I went to was a Deoxys event for FRLG at a local cinema. Internet distribution wasn't an option yet, but we had the GBA wireless adapter. It was really fun gathering there and interacting with other Pokémon fans, discussing how to actually encounter and catch Deoxys. Previously you had to put your cartridge in a machine, so this was a lot easier.
By the DS era, online distributions happened, but stores also had wireless distributions running passively for a period of time, so at your convenience, you could walk in, turn on your DS and get your Pokémon. No staff interaction or limited codes required.
It didn't have the sense of community; the best you could hope for was that someone else would be there to get the Pokémon and you would happen to see them with their DS at the same time.
Serial codes are so transactional. You go to the shop, hope they still have a code, and leave, for many it seems, disappointed.
I suspect they want to get people in stores, thinking about Pokémon, and potentially compelled to pre-order Z-A. I don't know how it is elsewhere in the world, but here in Japan they gave me a leaflet promoting the game alongside my codes. That inclines me to believe that encouraging pre-orders is at least part of the incentive for the timing of this promotion.
I really hope they bring back wireless distribution, if they have to do it at physical stores. Back in the day they had a DS with a special cartridge behind the counter to facilitate wireless distribution, but some of them went missing and ended up being sold privately. Plus Nintendo is probably too cheap these days to spring for a Switch or bespoke hardware for every store. And a lot more of those units will probably go missing with the scalping market the way it is of late.
If they do insist on codes, we need a way to verify that the person receiving the code hasn't already received one from another location, or even the same location. Perhaps there could be a QR code on the Switch screen to scan that only works once per game? That way, if scalpers wanted multiple codes, they would have to buy multiple Switches and games, eliminating any profit incentive with excessive costs, but still ensuring each legitimate customer got a code. Or even scanning the QR code could automatically give you the Pokémon when you next connected to the internet.
Perhaps modded Switches could circumvent the system and generate infinite fresh QR codes, but it at least puts another barrier to entry in the way of anyone trying to cheat the system.
Pokémon Home is already a good option for distribution. They already have a working system for the medals. I suspect that might be a kind of beta test for the concept. The only problem on Nintendo's side is that doesn't yet have a way to verify that you actually own the games, but it could easily be updated to do so. Kids without smartphones (do they still exist?) would be left in the lurch, though.
Whatever the case, there are better solutions than the present one to achieve Nintendo's marketing goals whilst ensuring legitimate players have a fair opportunity to access event Pokémon.
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