The Pokémon crisis could be solved by Valve's Steam Machine strategy

Earlier this month The Pokémon Company released the First Partner Illustration series 2 collection, a starter-focused set with nine collectible full-art cards that are supposed to cost $15.99. Scalpers have driven the market price to about $58, and buying Pokémon cards without a markup is now nearly impossible: online drops are hammered by bots, high-stock items sell out within minutes, and many TCG sets disappear in seconds.

Other retail options are often just as bad. Vending machines typically sell out or are surrounded by scalpers, workers who stock stores have been tracked and harassed leading to randomized restocking times, and there are rumors of vendors colluding with resellers.

Store employees have hidden or purchased new products before customers can, opened boxes are sometimes repackaged to look new, and local marketplaces carry risks of scams or robberies. Retailers and The Pokémon Company have tried several fixes.

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