249. The Grades are In!

This week Jamal and Chris discuss Scopely Explore's 2025–2026 Wayfarer Roadmap, and it's officially report card season! One year after nine commitments were announced, the guys break out the red pens to grade what Scopely delivered, what remains unfinished, and whether the Wayfarer team deserves a passing grade. https://community.wayfarer.scopely.com/t/wayfarer-roadmap-2025-2026/108740 From the new Wayfarer Map and web-based nominations to increased appeals, automated reviews, contributor ratings, and the still-missing leaderboards, no assignment goes ungraded. After reviewing all nine commitments, Scopely walks away with an 80/100 and an overall B-. Not bad, but there's definitely room for improvement! Before class begins, Jamal offers some final thoughts on the recent Wayfarer enforcement ladder changes, encouraging newcomers and veteran Wayfinders alike to learn the criteria, respect one another, and keep building a quality map. Chris also shares a fascinating theory about Wayfarer's future: Could Scopely be positioning its Wayspot database as an independent platform that other location-based games could license? Then it's time for a school-themed One's Gotta Go! School buses, cafeteria pizza, recess, or dodgeball. Which one are you eliminating? Jamal's daughter Addison even joins the debate with a different perspective! Plus, we've got two fantastic Wayspots of the Week, featuring a massive family portrait mural in Lynn, Massachusetts, submitted by The Shipster, and Der Papagei, a colorful parrot mural submitted by Kroner. And for Coal of the Week, a perfectly good playground nomination reminds everyone why Pokémon GO references don't belong in Wayspot descriptions. All that, some questionable Canadian cream soda, school-day memories, dad jokes, community shout-outs, and plenty of laughs on another episode of Wayspotters! About Wayspotters – A Scopely Explore Wayfarer Podcast Established in 2021, Wayspotters is a weekly podcast dedicated to Scopely Explore Wayfarer, Pokémon GO PokéStop nominations, Wayspot submissions, and the global Wayfarer community. Hosted by Jamal Harvey (BlameJamal) and Chris Bell (Professor Glaw) of the Pokémon Professor Network, Wayspotters has produced more than 245 episodes and reached audiences in 119 countries and territories in 2026, bringing together Wayfinders, Pokémon GO trainers, and Point of Interest (POI) enthusiasts from around the world. Wayspotters delivers weekly Wayfarer news, Wayspot nomination tips, reviewing strategies, eligibility criteria discussions, appeals guidance, abuse prevention updates, and community conversations about the real-world locations that shape Pokémon GO and other location-based games. Through firsthand experience, informed perspectives, humor, and community engagement, Wayspotters helps listeners navigate the Wayfarer nomination and review process while celebrating the people and places that make the global Wayspot map unique. With a mission to Educate, Entertain, Excite, Wayspotters is committed to helping every listener become a better Wayfinder. Find Wayspotters on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Website: www.wayspotters.com YouTube: youtube.com/@WayspottersPodcast X: @Wayspotters Instagram: @wayspottersPodcast TikTok: @IMakeWaySpots #Wayspotters #Wayfarer #ScopelyExplore #PokemonGO #Wayspot #Pokestop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices