197. The Future Is on the Corner

This week, Jamal and Chris dive into one of the most unexpected Wayfarer updates we’ve seen in a while — Niantic’s new “Street Corner and Bus Stop Experiment” happening in France, Italy, and Spain. The guys break down: What these new “Niantic-generated” Wayspots mean for the Wayfarer system. Whether this is a bug, a test, or a hint of a larger criteria change. How this experiment could affect reviewers and nominators, especially when it comes to “generic” locations or player expectations for quality and significance. The potential upside for rural and low-density areas, which could benefit from more accessible PokéStops and gameplay opportunities. And, of course, what safeguards Niantic might need to prevent spam or confusion in the review queue. They also cover this week’s Wayfarer news, including reports that Emily may be down again. Stick around for: ✅ Spatial / Scopely News ✅ What It Means for Criteria ✅Bus Stops & the Wayfarer Experiment ✅ One’s Gotta Go — Dad Stuff ✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week ✅ Dad Jokes (of course!) 🎧 Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell Writer: Jamal Harvey Producer: Jamal Harvey Executive Producer: Kate Konz Show Historian: Matty G Recorded: October 23, 2025 Published: October 26, 2025 Season 4, Episode 41 💬 Contact Us 📧 ⁠[email protected]⁠ 📞 Voicemail / SMS: 704-426-3710 💖 Support the Show 🎁 Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/PokemonProfessor⁠ 🌐 Website: ⁠wayspotters.com⁠ 📱 Follow Us Instagram: ⁠@wayspotterspodcast⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠@wayspotters⁠ TikTok: ⁠@imakewayspots⁠ YouTube: ⁠@WayspottersPodcast⁠ Twitch: ⁠twitch.tv/pokemonprofessornetwork⁠ 🧭 Community & Friends Wayfarer Discord: ⁠discord.gg/niawayfarer⁠ German Wayfarer Discord: ⁠discord.gg/ThTZCZH5⁠ Facebook Group: ⁠facebook.com/groups/2241761169257836⁠ Solstice: 🎧 ⁠Spotify Episode⁠ • 📸 ⁠Unsplash⁠ Agent X on TikTok: ⁠@agentx_wayfinder⁠ Chris Bell’s Articles: ⁠pokemongohub.net/post/author/glawhantojar⁠ Niantic Wayfarer: ⁠@NianticWayfarer⁠ 🎵 Music CreditsIntro: “Game Over” – Danijel ZamboBreak: Heavy Trap Drum Loops – LoopmastersOutro: “Itty Bitty 8 Bit” – Kevin MacLeodAdditional: Spanish Hard Trap – Steve Oxen 🎤 Vocal Recordings © Pokémon Professor Network 2025 ⚡ Pokémon and all respective names © Nintendo 1996–2025. Pokémon GO © Niantic, Inc. Wayspotters & Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic, The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, or Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices