Pokémon Go Disables PokéStop And Gym Contributions

Pokémon Go has been building up by offering Trainers a chance to use the Wayfarer Tool. This feature allowed Trainers to add real-world locations on the game's map. Last week, Niantic officially allowed everyone to suggest improvements to the Pokéstops and Gyms. However, a few hours later this same feature was suspended.

It was back in November when Niantic first revealed the Wayfarer tool. Available to Pokémon Go trainers who are at least level 40, those who were qualified could nominate a location that ccould serve as either a Pokéstop or a Gym. You can read more of that story here.

However, the Wayfarer released last week appears to be limited to accepting suggestions to improve in-game locations. Improvements include:

• Title
• Description
• Real-world location
• Photo

Trainers who were qualified could also report an invalid Gym or PokéStop, provided that it meets the removal criteria. You can view the guidelines here.

While the intent was good, it appears that Niantic didn't count on player response. In a tweet, Niantic said that it was "disabling PokéStop and Gym contributions to avoid stability issues."

For those who are still playing the game, and even those who already stopped, this should bring back memories of when Pokémon Go was first released back in 2016 and the servers couldn't keep up with the player demand.

As of this writing, there's still no word from Niantic about when the feature is going to return.

Holiday Event

If you're looking for a reason to return to the game, then the Pokémon Go Holiday Event 2019 should be a good starting point. This is also good for current Trainers. Hurry though, as the event is only until January 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

In addition to the usual features, there are also bonuses offered that include:

• Open twice as many Gifts each day
  • For the duration of the event, the number of Gifts Trainers can open daily increases to 40.
• Carry twice as many Gifts
  • For the duration of the event, the number of Gifts Trainers can carry in their inventory increases to 20.
• One guaranteed single-use Incubator per day:
  • In order to more easily hatch Eggs during the holiday season, Trainers get to receive one single-use Incubator at no cost once per day during the event by spinning a Photo Disc on a PokéStop.
• 1/2 Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed into Incubators during this time period