Pokemon Legends: Z-A Players Sell Shiny Monsters For Real Money

"It is exhausting seeing how many aspects of the experience people try to exploit as part of some money-making scheme. The cards are obviously the most prominent example of this, as scalpers and the content creation mill have turned the act of buying and selling packs into a lucrative business at the expense of players being able to derive any joy from the hobby ."

"Despite to find the rare, alternate-colored 'mons in Lumiose City, some folks would rather just fork over some of their hard-earned money to save themselves a few hours of grinding to make one of them spawn. At least, that's what some sellers on places like eBay are banking on. If you search for Shiny Poke9mon on the site, you'll find dozens of listings, some selling specific creatures and others letting people specify the Shiny they're seeking."

Scalpers and content creators have monetized card buying and selling, turning pack purchases into a lucrative business that reduces player enjoyment. Sellers now offer digital game items, including Shiny Pokémon, for real-world cash in titles like Legends: Z-A. Some listings on marketplaces such as eBay advertise dozens of Shiny Pokémon, customizable orders, or comprehensive collections like a full Living Dex of every Shiny for $300. Other listings sell every Shiny Mega Evolution for $80, exceeding game purchase prices. Many buyers prefer paying to avoid hours of grinding and to quickly obtain rare alternate-colored Pokémon.

Read at Kotaku