A recent quest in Pokemon GO presents a unique challenge, proving easier for rural players than those in urban environments.  This contrasts sharply with the typical gameplay experience, where city dwellers often have the upper hand due to the higher density of PokeStops and Gyms.

The quest in question involves obtaining a Shiny Meloetta through the latest Masterwork Research challenges. While the entire process doesn't explicitly favor rural players, one specific task has caused a significant hurdle for those in heavily populated areas.

Meloetta's Aria Forme has been available in Pokemon GO since 2021 through the 'Finding Your Voice' Special Research.  However, its shiny variant was only recently introduced during the Pokemon GO Tour, locked behind ticketed Masterwork Research.

The troublesome task requires players to earn a bronze Showcase Star medal in a PokeStop Showcase.  Introduced during Pokemon GO's seventh anniversary, Showcases allow players to display specific Pokemon at designated PokeStops. The player with the largest Pokemon of the specified type at the end of the timer wins rewards, including increasingly rare medals for repeated victories.

The disparity between rural and urban players in completing this task has sparked lively discussions online, particularly on Reddit. Many rural players express surprise at the complaints, as a bronze medal only requires a single Showcase win, seemingly a straightforward objective.

However, urban players point out a crucial detail: PokeStop Showcases have limited capacity.  In densely populated areas, these Showcases fill up rapidly, making it difficult for players to even enter their Pokemon, let alone win.  After years of rural players feeling disadvantaged, this quest is seen by some as a turn of the tables.

While some players in major cities struggle, others have offered advice.  The most straightforward suggestion is to travel to a less populated area to participate in a Showcase. Alternatively, some recommend seeking Showcases featuring evolved Pokemon, as these tend to fill up more slowly.