Hello Explorers,
In response to the widespread interest in this subject, the Wayfarer and Pokémon Go teams came together with some response to your main questions.
Let’s first align on the terminology. In Pokémon Go, those new locations where you can experience Dynamax and Gigantamax are called Power Spots. They are different locations than Pokéstops and Gyms.
Where are Power Spots coming from? How are Power Spots chosen?
Similarly to Pokéstops and Gyms, Power Spots are built upon the Niantic Map.
Currently the locations where Power Spots can appear are a combination of unused wayspots and a recently imported new database.
- Unused wayspots: as many of you know, not all the wayspots available on our Niantic Map are used as pokéstops/gyms in Pokemon Go. Those unused wayspots have a chance to host a Power Spot.
- New database: To enhance the density of locations, particularly in areas previously devoid of them, we have recently incorporated a fresh database of locations. Note that those locations were imported while not necessarily abiding to our Wayfarer criterias.
Since Power Spots are transient, in a given area they will rotate between the available locations.
What are the eligibility criteria for Power Spots?
Why are some clearly ineligible locations according to Wayfarer criteria, appearing as Power Spots?
As mentioned in the previous question, we imported locations some of which did not align with our wayspot criterias. There is no eligibility criteria for Power Spots per se because we do not allow explorers to submit Power Spots, only Wayspots are submittable.
At the time of the import of the new database, we performed a vast filtering and removed a large amount of locations (mostly for safety and appropriateness) but our systems missed some of them, which some of you reported. We have since set up processes and remediation to prevent unwanted locations to show on the map. You can expect additional improvements in the coming months.
Can Power Spots be nominated?
Yes and no. When you submit a wayspot, it may or may not become a PokéStop or Gym. If it’s not chosen for either of those, it may be used as a Power Spot. Currently, there is no separate submission process specifically for Power Spots.
Can Power Spots be reviewed through Wayfarer?
Yes and no. Since Power Spots are partially based on wayspots, when reviewing a wayspot submission this location may become a Power Spot.
Can Power Spots be reported or edited?
You can use the report button on a Power Spot and you will soon be able to edit Power Spots including Title, Description and Location and Image submission (note that images are not planned to be displayed on Power Spots just yet).
Will Power Spots eventually become PokéStops or Wayspots?
For the Power Spots generated from our new database, not at the moment. But you can start seeing those new locations on the Niantic Map when submitting new wayspots and also while reviewing. We are also working on a major update of the map which will allow our games to better serve more diverse locations on our map.
Will the inclusion of ineligible Power Spots confuse players and lead to more bad nominations?
We recognize that certain Power Spots do not reflect the standard we expect our explorers to uphold when submitting wayspots to the map. Through the implementation of our Machine Learning safeguard (eMiLy), we are confident that lower quality submissions will be effectively filtered, ensuring that they do not appear on our map.
Why is it that the Power Spots I reported in the past, continue to exist on the gameboard?
Since the launch of Power Spots, the reports have been managed by a different team than the one managing Pokéstop/Gyms reports. Later this year, we will merge these processes to provide more frequent map updates (similar to Pokéstop/Gyms).
Check out the discussion HERE!