Poke Stop Approved But Hasn't Shown Up
Hello,
So one of my pokestop nominations has been approved but it hasn't shown up. I was wondering if someone could take a look for me? Nomination was Empire Comic and Games at 1636 Slate Run Rd New Albany IN, 47150. There is another pokestop in the same area so I didn't know if that was stopping it but any information would be helpful. Thanks.
Comments
Hello and welcome @AlexJ1373-PGO
The quick answer is yes the other wayspot is stopping it
It is in the same Level 17 cell.
longer answer
Your accepted wayspot is in the Lightship database, first picture - this holds all approved wayspots and is separate from all Niantic games.
Each game sets its own rules as to what it will take from the database to use in that game.
For Pokémon Go the rules revolve around the use of some mapping software commonly referred to as S2 cells it breaks down the surface into smaller and smaller cells - each size is referred to as level and a number.
Google S2 cells and Pokémon Go - Pokémongohub has a very good explanation.
The key is that in PoGo it only accepts 1 wayspot in each Level 17 cell, so if there is already a pokestop or gym in the game from that cell yours will not be selected.
The best you can do is put it down to experience and research how this works,nand don’t let it put you off submitting
It's in the same level 17 S2 cell as Mac's Hideaway, meaning it won't be able to show up in Pokémon Go. It's also within 20 metres of Mac's Hideaway, so it won't be able to show up in Ingress either. It might get used in other games or products though.
Nice, wish they would tell you these thing earlier. I wouldn’t review half the world to push an upgrade to help out a Pokémon league for children. I’m done reviewing and nominating then.
We know it's frustrating, but there are a lot of articles and resources that have been published that talk about these inclusion rules. Totally understandable to not know what you don't know when you first start. But now that you know, it's a really simple framework to learn and work within. Everyone here has been in your shoes and decided to overcome this initial disappointment.
@AlexJ1373-PGO
I understand why you feel that way.
Niantic refuse to talk about this as they have a deep concern that if people know the rules they will abuse the system. However a long time ago from observing what happens people figured it out. The result is there is a continuous stream of players who become frustrated and disaffected by what can happen.
I’m sorry to be the messenger and it’s not a nice message to hear, but at least now you know.
Take a little time to think some more.
You did a good job in getting something accepted, and your reviews have helped other places get some new wayspots. If you can, research the information learn how it works and submit some new locations. All of us have had different frustrations along the way, but when you do get something in the game it makes up for it all.
And... when you have time to think clearly, if you could help us figure out how to better inform people so this frustration stops, that would be great. I think it's an uphill battle because new people just dabble in Wayfarer without realizing the depth of the community and the rules they need to learn. I don't know how to reach those dabblers before they become disillusioned.
Don't let people nominate without first watching an informational video that explains everything about it.
Since Niantic refuse to discuss S2 cell rules it's up to the submitter to find that information for themselves.
If like 90% of Go users you have no interest in other Niantic games why would you even consider that your submission isn't for the game you play... Until you submit something and it doesn't appear.
See the other issue is Niantic sending out an email stating that it was accepted and WILL be a stop within 24 hrs. As a player they give us the tool to nominate places that become pokestops but then they fail to follow through with said action when it is time. They refuse to let us know any information on how long it takes to get something reviewed. This is a horrible company with communication and I have withdrawn all my current nominations because I am not going to do their work for them. Why should I have to learn another system to even use their nomination system? That is complete and utter ****. It should warn you when nominating that it won't show up or it's in an overlapping area. AND What about New York, Thailand and all those Asian places that have pokes literally right next to each other, they must be in the same cell. How is that equal?
@AlexJ1373-PGO Niantic is definitely remiss in not being clear up front that something you submit MAY become a (pokestop/portal/etc.) but is not guaranteed to appear in any game even if it's accepted. They do say that in the acceptance email but it's easy to overlook. This is what it looks like in Ingress, and I think that part is the same in PoGO:
Remember that not all accepted nominations will appear in all Niantic games (and may take up to 48 hours to appear). If this Wayspot is added to Ingress, then you will receive the Portal Key and 1000 AP, and the Portal will be recorded as a unique Portal visit on your Agent Profile. Also, community rejected nominations are not final! These nominations may be appealed to Niantic one time via your Contribution Management page.
The submission email in Ingress looks like this:
Your nomination will be reviewed by the Wayfarer community according to the Wayfarer Criteria. You’ll receive a notification email once the Wayfarer community has come to a collective decision.
So yeah, nothing until the acceptance email warning you that even if it's accepted it might not appear in your game(s).
@AlexJ1373-PGO
I totally agree that the communication is very poor. We can only try to influence improvements, and cases like yours are useful to remind everyone of the need for change.
There are places around the world where under old rules moving a pokestop could result in more than one in a cell. However this was done maliciously in some areas to abuse the system and as a result it was stopped. It is perfectly feasible to have pokestops a few feet apart but because they have the invisible line of a S2 cell between them it’s ok.
It sounds as though right now, you do just need to step back.
It is a difficult one as yes by submitting and reviewing you are doing some work. On the otherhand the only way that the game board can improve at the local level is by doing those submissions.
Oh I plan on stepping away permanently. Why help a game that gives 0 communication. It's even made me lose interest in playing the actual game.