I've seen worse wayspots than this one...
boni2793-PGO
Posts: 13 ✭✭
I submitted a POI nomination of a ladybug rock in a park, which has been rejected twice by the community. The rejection criteria are "Fake nomination", "Temporary or Seasonal Display", and "Other Rejection Criteria".
For the second nomination, I added a video, included the link in the supporting information, and upgraded the nomination expecting better reviewing, but unfortunately, the nomination was rejected again. I checked the video analytics and NO ONE took the time to watch it, which makes me think the supporting information section DOES NOT WORK.
The nomination is located in a park, I personally think it is an adorable addition to the Niantic games and could improve the gameplay experience for the people who play in the neighborhood. This is the ONLY painted rock in the small park and there are no other rocks like these in other nearby parks. Plus adding POIs minimizes commuting distances and creates more options to spend time playing location-based games.
I attach the images I used for the nomination and the small one-minute video I made: https://youtu.be/LSvzm6BZleA
I would appreciate help to make this POI approved in the game.
Comments
Unless you provide other details including its supporting information, most people would just assume it's just a painted rock randomly being put in the park.
I did this by making a small video showing the location and how easy it is to access and placing the link in the first line of the supporting information. It seems no one took the time to check the video as my analytics show no one watched the video during the reviewing process.
I can't do much from my end other than that, and it still didn't work. The rest is just out of my control.
I appreciate your response though:)
Video: https://youtu.be/LSvzm6BZleA
For the record, it's usually better to download the Google Street View app and make a photosphere at the location if you're not sure whether the location of your nomination can be verified.
Edit: maybe not so much given that Google have announced they're retiring the app
The rejection reasons in your case don't state anything about the location, they suggest that people think that a painted rock isn't a point of interest, so they aren't gonna watch your video to check it because your photo is enough for them to reject it.
If the best defense of a nomination is “I’ve seen worse” then that nomination is well worth rejecting. If there’s actual criteria it meets and value it provides, then that should be articulated in a place such as this forum, and likewise articulated to the reviewers in the body of the nomination.
I would hesitate voting for this, because on the one hand... a painted rock is art. It's definitely unique? But it's also fairly crude. Looks sort of like a child's graffiti. Things that look like they might get removed as vandalism are usually rejected as "temporary." Even if this was sanctioned, not sure if it's culturally or historically significant.
If there was a story behind the rock, like... if it was painted as part of an art program for kids, or as a memorial, or a city beautification project, that might make a difference.
Yes. Reviewers are alert to potential cheating. Maybe the nominator painted a rock in their back yard, then deposited it in the park without permission. Also, maybe it's small enough to easily pick up and move, so technically temporary. It may have only been there for 10 minutes, for all we know.
If streetview in that area is a couple years old, AND it's shown on Streetview - mention that in your supporting as proof of its permanence.
If the park has a web site that includes it OR mention of an art project that might have produced it - include that.
Search local newspapers for reference.
Yes, it might be rejecting something legit in this one case - but overall, it keeps dozens or hundreds of other cases of abuse out of the system.
Have you ever tried to move a rock? That's gotta be a 300-lb rock! I was thinking more they graffitied it in-situ & someone might power-wash it.
Though, the first picture does make it look smaller, like it could just be a pebble? Maybe some reviewers thought it was one of those little rocks people paint affirmations on & leave them places to "spread positivity"
But yeah, I'd safely say the rock itself is permanent without heavy machinery involved XD
I think the point has already been made here but people tend to over estimate their strength as well. Like if I saw this nomination I would say heck yes I cam pick that rock up and move it! Okay if it’s 300lb maybe I can’t but until I’m standing there knees bent grunting and the rock don’t budge I’m going to believe I can move it… sorry it’s just true that my ego is bigger than that rock. I’ve dealt with concerns over permanence of my submissions so so fee your pain but focus on proving it is permanent and as stated above any proof this was an approved painting even in the local paper would make a huge difference. I would probably not watch the video either because the picture is enough to prove it’s a rock why spend time proving what I already know it’s a rock. Which I’ve seen many larger ones denied for being natural features and if the reviewers see graffiti it’s going to get denied every time.
" I've seen worse wayspots than this one... "
Same but this one will make it in the top 10 😉
Never thought about it. Is it easy to do? I might give it a shot, whatever it takes to give better and easier tools for the lazy reviewers.
Unfortunately, I agree with that. People expect fancy landmarks when they sometimes forget the real point of making the game better for everyone when the rock meets at least one criterion ("A great place for exploration") with a good background story; something not everyone in the world will be empathetic, in my opinion.
Perhaps "careless lazy reviewers" could be a better argument? Or why should I bother including information about the background story of the rock and adding a video of it? In fact, why is "Supporting information" even included if people seem to not even bother reading it?
The rock is part of a series of elements the park has. The community did a small area for dogs to drink water, as well, by using PVC pipes and making a small hole serving as a bowl. There are other painted rocks, as well, but the most noticeable one is the ladybug rock I suggested for nomination.
The satellite image doesn't help, and the street view doesn't catch anything from inside the park. That's why I thought about doing a small video to show how easy it is to access to the park. Plus I think it is an adorable feature of the game, especially since a few children play it and love exchanging postcards.
It is not a big landmark, I know, but it's still part of the community with a good background story, in my opinion.
Completely agree with that. 100%. That's why I came up with the video trying to show myself lifting it... somehow lol. The most ridiculous shot I had to do in my life, for sure lol.
Still... I was completely aware of that after the first rejection. I still think it is an adorable feature and as I mentioned in a previous comment, a few children in the neighborhood play and love exchanging postcards. It could be an adorable feature to add to the game, plus it would boost the gameplay around.
It's definitely heavy lol. The most ridiculous attempt I've made so far this year caught in video, without a doubt. More than graffiti, I would say an artistic attempt. Murals could also be considered graffiti but they are art sending a message to the community. I really doubt someone would just vandalize something inside a park by painting it as a ladybug 😂 Plus its part of other painted rocks and a small dog area that was added by the community around.
I still get why people would think it is temporary, that's why I figured out about the video.
You must live in a castle. Good for you. Here in the third world, we have to deal with other kinds of situations. Not all of us have the same opportunity of playing Niantic's products in the street while also thinking something bad can happen, that's why places like these really boost the gameplay experience and at least I am trying my best to bring myself and the community another addition. For now, I guess I have to deal with lazy (and apparently more fortunate) reviewers who can't accept an adorable ladybug that is not temporary or fake.
@boni2793-PGO
download the streetview app.
you will need a gmail address to login.
Google taking a photosphere.
it is straightforward, just follow the dots.
once complete upload to Google and if approved it appears on the map
I can walk 15 minutes along the River Thames and interact with 12 memorial benches to John Smith, lovely guy, always missed.
If Niantic have created a system that lets that **** get through constantly then reviewers need to take a step back and check their standards when judging things like your painted rock.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to see this post and share your thoughts. Ultimately, it's just a game we all play and try to contribute as much as possible. I can clearly see a lot of different opinions, and I truly appreciate whoever helped me open my eyes with real arguments on whether the nomination is good or bad, and find ways to improve my nomination.
To me, it is and will still be a good nomination, no matter what standards Niantic or the community has. It's not how useless the rock is but the story behind it that makes it special. Only people in our community will truly understand.