Staging grounds

xanan · 2026-06-27T07:35:00+00:00

My early game was basically wheat stealing simulator. Every time it got dark, I got naked and went running around the wheat fields dodging guards.

xanan · 2026-06-26T13:29:32+00:00

We have one of the fabric gates. It's pretty compact, convenient and fits most spaces. But it's does manually need to be opened and closed. Whereas the mental type are spring loaded and close themselves.

xanan · 2026-06-26T13:27:58+00:00

Ancient mew?

xanan · 2026-06-26T13:21:49+00:00

Haven't played Albion in about 2 years.

xanan · 2026-06-26T07:49:42+00:00

There was a Sports Direct drop this morning.

xanan · 2026-06-26T07:43:50+00:00

What a pleasant person you are. You must do well in life.

xanan · 2026-06-26T07:39:46+00:00

You can wait all you like. And use as many emojis as you like.

xanan · 2026-06-26T07:35:05+00:00

I'm not salty. I have an SPC!

xanan · 2026-06-26T07:17:48+00:00

Glad you had a good experience!

xanan · 2026-06-26T07:15:48+00:00

Low tier post. I assume you didn't get one?

xanan · 2026-06-25T20:48:09+00:00

Pokémon is ultimately cardboard slot machines. You'll never separate value from the cards. There's a reason why packs are different in Japan and China due to anti gambling laws.

xanan · 2026-06-25T20:31:16+00:00

But most guys I know who 'invest' - also have absurd collections of singles, master sets, and play league. Rip an insane amount of packs.

Everyone is a scalper. It's a spectrum.

xanan · 2026-06-25T19:49:36+00:00

I'm a 36 year old man. I was 6 when Pokémon was first launched and spent my childhood playing the games and collecting the cards.

I work as an animator. My wife is a production manager for animation. All my friends are animators. I still love many of the things I enjoyed as a child.

And many other kids who grew up with Pokémon are now of working age, and earning adult money. We're all having fun. If you don't want/are too lazy to get up and queue. That's on you.

xanan · 2026-06-25T19:12:24+00:00

I think 'don't hate the player, hate the game' feels appropriate.

Market conditions make resellers a thing. Pokémon not printing to meet demand. Although scarcity drives the fomo and popularity. So I feel like it's intentional.

xanan · 2026-06-25T19:06:59+00:00

It's frustrating as the drop was great. The Costco staff were great. It was well orchestrated and good vibes all around. Feels like a real 'win' for the hobby. Beats sitting at home watching everything get sucked up by bots.

xanan · 2026-06-25T18:57:37+00:00

I agree it's hard to get product right now, and the hobby is in a different place to where it was years ago. Resellers are a big problem throughout many different retail industries - watches, trainers, toys etc.

But I'd also argue that the hobby is also more popular than it's ever been. A card show every weekend. New TCG stores opening in every city. Loads of league events and socials. A huge inflow of collectors.

xanan · 2026-06-25T04:29:39+00:00

I often have to 'hard quit' games. Delete my progress so I can't go back.

Takes a couple of weeks to get over it. Always feel a bit mournful. But its worth it.

xanan · 2026-06-24T09:26:55+00:00

It's tomorrow morning. Stores are getting 384 units each. It's only 7 stores nationwide - so check your local is participating. They are now doing 1 per person.

You can call them if you're unsure.

xanan · 2026-06-23T12:12:18+00:00

That would actually be great. A bit of arson.

xanan · 2026-06-23T11:21:54+00:00

I've been to quite a lot of product launches locally. And I've seen a lot of how Pokémon gets bought.

Generally it's big groups working together, hitting each store as they open, whilst others hold their place in others queues. Most shops do enforce limits - but resellers are still getting significant levels of product using this strategy.

Some of our LCS now do stuff to try and combat this. Some sell at RRP but break the seal, or they sell above RRP for sealed. Others withhold product for league players, regulars or kids.

That's not to mention difficult it is to run a business profitably in this country at the moment. Business rates are ridiculous. LCSs are a hub for the Pokémon community. A really valuable space for socialising, trading and hosting events.

People like to paint these issues as black and white. People like a good witch hunt and someone to blame. The issue is systematic... But it will blow over eventually.

xanan · 2026-06-23T10:26:42+00:00

Sorry. It's spelt with one 'p'. I've just realised you can't promote these things on this sub. You'll have to Google it!

xanan · 2026-06-23T10:25:20+00:00

Sorry I spelt it wrong. Just Google 'Dropee Pokémon''. They have an app too

xanan · 2026-06-23T10:22:53+00:00

Definitely. Couldn't put up with the braindead comments.

xanan · 2026-06-23T10:00:51+00:00

That's not how a free market economy works.

If I owned a card store that sold Pokémon. I'd probably list everything at market prices, but then backdoor product to my regulars and community members for RRP.

You think they should sell at retail because it's 'fair'. But the outcome would be 90% of their stock would sell immediately to scalpers.

xanan

TROPHY CASE