Hello. If you've been paying attention to the news in the United States surrounding the latest event involving Shiny Koraidon & Miraidon via going to GameStop, you can already guess what I'm about to say & request. Eitherway, I will still explain things from my perspective (but will provide some news reporting articles at the end).
In these past events where I needed to go to GameStop to get a code card, in recent times I have never been successful. Pre-Covid I never had a problem. But during Covid a Pokemon TCG craze begun and hasn't only continued but spiraled out of control; with people who saw only profit (henceforth called scalpers) trying to scoop up everything to sell back to fans at higher prices. However the scalpers haven't only stayed in the TCG space, they've spread to any promotional/limited merch (which I'm sure you've also gotten many complaints and bad press about; some notable ones being McDonalds and the Van Gogh Museum). The scalpers have also spread to the code cards.
I, like many, was excited when I first heard they were giving away the Shiny 'Raidons. But then it sank when I heard it was a GameStop code card; much like many other people. Post-Covid the code cards have been impossible to get. I remember trying to get the Shiny Rayquaza or Shiny Twin Hero Wolves, but I was always told I was too late. So today I went early and got to the store 1 hour after opening. But still, the employee told me that, between the hour of opening and me getting there, they had gone through their entire code card stock. ONE HOUR. Either there was just that many people who lined up before the store opened, they were given a small amount of code cards, they gave some people multiple code cards (don't want to call them scalpers but...), or the employee lied to me because they plan on selling the cards online themselves (I don't like to call people out like that, but in circumstances like this it just makes me wonder).
And I'm not alone. When I got home I checked what other people's experiences were and found numerous news reporting articles about how botched this event is:
* Polygon:
https://www.polygon.com/gamestop-shiny-pokemon-scarlet-violet-rough-start/
* Screen Rant:
https://screenrant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-shiny-koraidon-miraidon-distribution-codes/
* Vice:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/pok...truggle-to-get-shiny-koraidon-miraidon-codes/
* GoNintendo:
https://www.gonintendo.com/contents...-koraidon-and-shiny-miraidon-distribution-isn
* Reddit:
Turns out some stores only got 50 code cards, if that many. Some GameStops began giving away cards early unbeknownst to most so when the actual event date came they didn't have any when they opened. Many people easily gotten multiple cards just by asking (because the US didn't require the restrictions other countries are now doing that you have to have a copy of the game with you; though I have a feeling there will be stores that wouldn't bother). And finally there are suspicions besides my own that some stores had the employees taking the cards for themselves. Oh, and all over eBay there are people who have somehow accumulated dozens if not hundreds of code cards
So, onto my request: Can you generate a code for me. I know what you're going to say, and allow me to rebuttal:
1. "These codes are pre-generated so we can't make more". I call foul on this. These are DIGITAL CODES. You use a 12 digit code of numbers and letters and allow for numbers and letters to be repeated, you can generate billions of codes and not run out (and yes this is taking into account the letters you exclude so people won't confuse them with similar shaped numbers). And even if you didn't allow for repetition you'd still be able to generate several hundred millions (and you've only sold 27 million copies of Scarlet & Violet). And, since the code cards are pre-generated, that means you also know what codes you've already generated so can easily make new codes that don't overlap with any code cards (and if there's a mess up and someone reports their code is saying it has already been used, you can just generate a new code for them). You can generate new codes, there's plenty of combinations you haven't used, and you know what combinations you've already used. Don't lie to us.
2. "If we do it for you then we'd have to do it for everyone". YOU SHOULD! Let's ignore code cards are an archaic system when we can just download an event from the internet (with or without a code). With all the problems I pointed out above, namely the scalpers, MILLIONS of Pokemon fans who just want a Shiny of the recent box Legendaries they should be able to get for free either can't get it despite being able to go to participating stores or have to now pay for it. Outside of that, GameStop has been struggling for years with them having (and continuing) closing stores all over the country. I'm "lucky" to have a GameStop within walking distance (not that it helped), but there are ten of thousands (possibly hundred of thousands) who don't have a GameStop within miles of them (and if they do it may not be participating). For them going out to a GameStop costs time, money, and/or gas; and if they don't have the code cards its a waste (sure they can call ahead, but if my experience is anything to go by if you can do that then it's probably already too late; you need to be at the store as soon as it opens). And its worst for fans who are kids who need someone older to take them (and, unless they are also a Pokemon fan, likely aren't going to go before the store opens thus will be too late). In Japan they don't only have physical Pokemon Center stores but I believe partnered with 7-Eleven, much more convenient for people (Pokemon Company USA should consider partnering with 7-Eleven if that's an option). Anyway, not everyone has a nearby GameStop, but most people have internet (which you need to have to redeem the code card anyway); how about skipping the middleman (cause this event isn't going to help GameStop any, infact all this bad publicity is further hurting them... and Pokemon).
Whoever is reading this, thank you for sticking with me so far. It would be great if you can grant my request and get me a code. But if I can ask for one more thing, if it's within your power, can you see about getting the suggestion up the ladder of leadership about just doing an internet distribution of the Shiny 'Raidons before the next generation is released. Also in the future stop with the physical code cards (or at least have an internet distribution later on), or at least partnering with GameStop, or at least include some other more widely available chains like 7-Eleven.
I eagerly wait for your response. Once again, thank you and have a nice day.