One Piece Card Game Implements Anti-Scalper Measures Inspired by Pokémon

Card trading and collecting has become a beloved pastime for gamers globally, but for some, it’s a lucrative business. This market is thriving, yet it has also attracted scalpers who aim to buy up products at retail prices only to resell them at inflated rates. Popular franchises with card games, like the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the One Piece Card Game, have become prime targets for this practice.

To combat this, resellers often buy trading card game products in bulk, making it difficult for regular customers to get their hands on cards. In response, the Pokémon Company has implemented facial recognition systems in its stores to help manage bulk purchases. Although the One Piece Card Game is relatively new, it has quickly caught the eye of scalpers, prompting Bandai Namco to adopt similar facial recognition technology in its stores. Starting August 22, customers entering a One Piece Card Game shop will be identified, and their ability to make purchases may be restricted based on their recent buying history and store visits.

The Pokémon Company introduced this feature not only to deter scalpers but also to enhance security following several alarming incidents, including a $21,000 robbery and a homicide. Bandai Namco’s announcement states that the facial recognition systems aim to “provide all customers with fair sales opportunities,” but ensuring the safety of employees is undoubtedly a significant factor in this decision. Once implemented, these systems are expected to create a safer environment for One Piece Card Game staff.

Bandai Namco’s in-store privacy policy indicates that it may collect customer information during in-person interactions, including personal videos and images. For online purchases, it notes that personal data may be gathered from users’ search history, browsing history, and IP addresses. Customers flagged as suspicious will be unable to complete purchases.

While these measures may upset fans who feel their privacy is being compromised, the issue of scalpers has become pressing enough that both Bandai Namco and the Pokémon Company can no longer overlook it. Currently, these policies are limited to stores in Japan, and it seems unlikely they will be implemented in other regions anytime soon.