The Pokémon Company has withdrawn the Ho-Oh EX trading card from the Pokémon TCG Pocket due to allegations of plagiarism, as its design was found to closely resemble fan-created artwork. This decision came just hours before the launch of the Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion. The company has acknowledged a 'production issue' that led to the inclusion of the plagiarized design and has replaced the problematic artwork with a temporary placeholder stating "New Art Coming Soon." They are currently reviewing all other cards to ensure there are no similar issues and have issued an apology to fans for the inconvenience caused while reinforcing their commitment to quality control in future releases.

What happened with the Ho-Oh EX card in Pokémon TCG Pocket?

The Ho-Oh EX card was pulled from the game due to being based on plagiarized fan art, leading The Pokémon Company to replace it with a temporary design as they investigate further issues.

Pokémon TCG Pocket is a digital trading card game that allows players to collect and battle with their favorite Pokémon cards. The game has seen significant popularity among fans, especially with new expansions being introduced regularly. However, controversies like this one highlight the importance of original artwork and the delicate balance between fan creations and official corporate content. The incident not only raises questions about copyright issues but also about how fan art can influence commercial products in the gaming world.