This is a Memorial Bench GAMECHANGER

General Discussion
1

Hello everyone.

This is another poke at potentially another view upon unique memorial benches. I stumbled upon this website: https://openbenches.org/ I know memorial benches are sooo looked down upon, but in my eyes each one is unique and unique is good in the world of wayfarer. Ive always thought that what better place to sit with a friend or even someone random, chat with them about their day or even their problems. It can even spark friendships or more. Or even sit alone and people watch, enjoy a coffee while you access the waypoint you’re sitting on. And the best thing, these memorials to passed away residents of the village/town get to be immortalised in this gameverse.

Is this a game changer? Can we eventually push for validation on these unique points in our towns and villages. I dont know about you but i always want to walk up and read the plaque , see what it says about that person, this person lived a life here, in this town.

I now open up for a potential flaming :smiley: but i love this webpage.

Drac.

Memorial Benches - Opinions Sought
2

Hello and welcome,

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Wayfarer’s stance on memorial benches, and for a few reasons.

First, many are mass produced and look very the same in a similar area, like a park or plaza. The only different may be the plaque or name plate on the benches, noting who it’s in memorial to. I have seen some unique ones that aren’t mass produced; I recently had a review for one that was a memorial to a couple and featured cut-outs of playing cards in the metal, as they were regular card players. The art of the bench made it unique to explore, as all of the other benches in this park had different designs in the metal bench backs.

Second, many are purchased by family and/or friends as a remembrance to the person(s), and out of respect (if the person[s] have passed), it may not be best to have Wayspots at these benches. If the bench is just in memorial to someone’s mother, I’d rather be respectufl to that person who has passed and not have a Wayspot where a gym or Power Spot could pop up in PoGo and then have some rowdy people around it on during a raid or Max Mondays.

Third, most of the people weren’t of importance to the community. They just were residents and usually didn’t contribute in a significant way to where the bench is located. They have have regularly visited the area, but that doesn’t make someone a significant member of the community. Now, if the bench was in memorial of a former mayor, long-time educator, or other type of leader, donated the money to build the area up, etc, then those benches may meet criteria for the significance of the person.

I don’t know how many people will actually submit benches to this website, and even if a memorial bench is listed on it, it still might not be eligible. Just looking at where I live, there are no benches on this site, so it’s not a largely used site, IMO.

2 Likes
Memorial Benches - Opinions Sought
3

I believe that unless we get an official comment from Niantic it stays as it is.

I admit, I would prefer a alternative to “Not permanent or distinct” but think we need to limit the amount of one type of object so current criteria is preferable.

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We’ve had an official comment. These are covered in the most recent Criteria Clarification Collection

1 Like
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You are more than welcome to contest established criteria and disagree with what the stance currently is. There just are some valid reasons as to why certain POIs aren’t acceptable and the clarification may not change.

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My comment was meant that if we got a new official comment changing the criteria.