In Pokémon GO, trainers have been able to request routes for several weeks now, but these are not approved for days. We at MeinMMO wanted to know what the reason is and have asked the developers.
Which feature is it about? Since the end of July, there has been a new feature in Pokémon GO: Routes. These can be created by players so that other trainers can follow interesting paths this way. For this, they are rewarded by the game.
However, trainers have been criticizing the long wait times for submitted routes to finally appear in the game on social media for weeks. This particularly impacts players during the current event Nichts wie raus
, which revolves entirely around routes. In many places, there are still none available.
We subsequently asked Niantic for a statement and show you their response as well as tips for requesting new routes.
Niantic wants to focus on high-quality routes
What did Niantic write? After the criticism of the routes increased with the start of the current event, we asked Niantic for a statement. We wanted to know from them why the review of submitted routes takes so long and what trainers might consider during submission to speed it up. The following was conveyed to us:
Thank you for your inquiry. We’re pleased to say that Routes has proved extremely popular with the community. Right now, approvals in some instances are taking longer than we want them to, and we’re actively working to improve the process. Rest assured we’re working to get as many quality routes that meet our standards into the world as possible for Trainers to enjoy.
Niantic via email to MeinMMO
Niantic let us know that approvals in some cases take longer than they would like and assured us that they are working to improve the process. Their goal is to introduce as many high-quality routes into the game as possible for trainers to enjoy.
Can the process be expedited? Yes, Niantic also wrote to us that trainers should pay attention to their tips for creating routes. These explain how to submit high-quality paths and, if considered, have a higher chance of being approved. They wrote:
In the meantime, we encourage Trainers to read through this FAQ to gain some tips on how to submit high quality routes that stand a higher chance of being approved.
Niantic via email to MeinMMO
What should you consider when requesting routes?
Who can create routes? Currently, only trainers with at least level 40 can create routes. Child accounts are excluded in this regard. The existing routes can, however, be used by all trainers.
These are the 4 things you should consider: On their help page, Niantic addresses the various reasons why routes are frequently rejected by them. Accordingly, you should consider the following points when submitting to get your routes a bit closer:
- Your routes should not lead through private property or sensitive areas, including schools and kindergartens.
- It’s better not to plan your routes along pubs or establishments for adults. These are also a thorn in the side of the developers.
- Choose safe paths. Since nothing should happen to players while following the routes, inaccessible, unsafe, and dangerous paths and areas will be rejected.
- Consider your wording in the title and description. If your text contains insults, inappropriate content, or personal information, then your route is also unlikely to make it into the game.
Additionally, Niantic states that they also reject routes that hint at cheating or spam.
What are routes even important for? Primarily, the routes serve as an interesting feature in the game through which you can earn rewards. If you follow them, you can also, with a bit of luck, find Zygarde cells, which you need to change your Zygarde’s form as well as the special research Von A bis Zygarde
to solve.
Additionally, the routes are currently also needed for the Nichts wie raus
event. Here, they are interesting not only regarding the event bonuses but must also be used to complete the time-limited research Nichts wie raus
.
In contrast to the special research with Zygarde, this is only active until October 2, 2023, at 8:00 PM local time. For many players, it is particularly frustrating that there are still so few routes available in the game and that their own have not yet made it into Pokémon GO.
What have your experiences with the routes been? Can you use any in your area? Or are you also still waiting in vain for approval in the game? Feel free to let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers.
A trainer finds 50 Zygarde cells in just 17 days and shows how easy it is.
