228. Scope-a-versary

This week, Chris and Jamal celebrate one full year since the Scopely/Niantic deal officially closed and ask the big question:
Is this the greatest 12-month stretch in Wayfarer history?

The guys break down nearly every major Wayfarer change from the past year, including:

• Web submissions
• The Wayfarer map
• Draft mode
• Upgraded nomination caps
• The new Wayfinder rating system
• Appeals cooldown reductions
• Ambassador announcements
• Roadmap updates
• Rural gameplay improvements
• and more.

Chris and Jamal discuss how the Wayfarer team has handled community feedback, why Scopely’s approach has surprised many players, and how modern Wayfarer may actually be entering its “good old days.”

Also this week:

• Chris shares the forgotten Wayfarer tracking spreadsheet with Patreon members
• Portland officially remains weird
• Bigfoot apparently lives in the Pacific Northwest
• Old Gmail, AOL, MySpace, and Friendster nostalgia
• Hockey playoff talk
• Jackson’s incredible 53-save lacrosse performance
• and a deep dive into how photo thumbs actually determine Wayspot images in Pokémon GO.

Plus:

• Wayspots of the Week
• Coal of the Week
• Dad jokes for new dad Hank
• and classic Wayspotters banter throughout.

Stick around for:

✅ Spatial / Scopely News

✅ Wayspots / Coal of the Week

✅ Dad Jokes (of course!)

Show Credits Hosts: Jamal Harvey & Chris Bell

Writer: Chris Bell

Producer: Jamal Harvey

Executive Producer: Kate Konz

Show Historian: Matty G

Recorded: 29 May 2026

Published: 31 May 2026

Season 5, Episode 20

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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.

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