In order to access an account on the Niantic Wayfarer portal, one must be level 37 or higher in Pokémon GO [File]
| Photo Credit: REUTERS

The Pokémon GO Wayfarer Challenge is coming to India this month, allowing fans and avid players of the augmented reality fantasy game to pick real-life locations they love and help turn them into virtual stops within the  Pokémon GO game world.

“We’re excited to announce that the Wayfarer Challenge is coming to Chile and India! This collaborative challenge takes place on the Niantic Wayfarer platform, where Trainers evaluate nominations for Wayspots—real-life locations that appear in Pokémon GO as the PokéStops and Gyms you’re familiar with. With the Wayfarer Challenge, you’ll be able to evaluate Wayspots and earn exclusive in-game rewards! Join in!” said a statement posted on the Pokémon website.

The event is set to take place in India from Monday, March 10, until Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Participants will have to access the Niantic Wayfarer platform and review Wayspot nominations. There are different player levels with assorted rewards for each tier.

However, in order to access an account on the Niantic Wayfarer portal, one must be level 37 or higher in Pokémon GO.

Pokémon GO’s strategy of combining the beloved character Pikachu’s fantasy world with a user’s real life surroundings made the game an instant hit when it released years ago. The game was hailed for encouraging users to get outside and spend the day outdoors while completing game quests. However, it was also criticised for turning users into distracted pedestrians/drivers and turning niche locations into public attractions with unwanted crowds.