Player-issued mini challenges
For a long time I have thought it would be good to be able to issue mini-challenges such as "first one to deploy 100 resonators", "most portals captured in 1 hour", etc. The idea is that you could issue the challenge to start at a particular time, and issue it either to just one other player or to anyone within a particular radius. The people receiving the challenge would accept the challenge and then take part at the specified time.
Back in 2017 I made this suggestion on the October AMA. Krug said he liked it, and they were working on similar ideas. Unfortunately what they came up with was battle beacons, which is too bad because my idea would have been more useful during the pandemic as nobody has to go near another player.
I think this could really revitalize playing in a lot of areas. I know if I got a notification of a challenge in the area and I had the time I would pick up my scanner and join in. And if I was visiting somewhere new it would be fun to issue a challenge and see who joins in.
At the same time, it wouldn't affect the scoring game. I could see players abusing the challenge, such as setting up a field engine and then issuing a linking or fielding challenge. But that sort of abuse would't affect general play, unlike the battle beacons which can be used in place of a virus.
Finally, this is an example of something that could bring fun back to players who are often stuck under fields or otherwise playing in difficult circumstances. They could issue challenges that are playable in their situation.
I would expect Niantic would want to make some money from this, and like battle beacons, this could be delivered through paid-for challenge beacons.
If you want to see the original AMA question, it was Q75 at https://ingressama.com/ama/30oct2017
Comments
There is Act of Defiance (AOD), which is a player made app to track scores and give out weekly/monthly challenges on an individual and faction scale.
I tried it once and it wouldn't take my stats, so I gave up on it lol But the chat is rather active and people seem keen for each of the challenges. Might be worth checking out if you want player-issued mini challenges: https://aod.prxenon.rocks/
Depending on the city you live in ( adapt as necessary if you live in a rural area), do the following, capture, fill all resonator spots, bump, install mods, destroy resonator, destroy link, destroy field for a least one portal in every "zone" or area defined by your public transportation system/county/political subdivision.
That seems like a good idea, which is a reason Niantic should implement it themselves.