Pokémon GO is currently testing two event series: The Spotlight Hour and the Bonus Hour. However, for our author Noah, only one of the events actually has potential.
What it’s about: Since early February, both events have been held once a week. So far, they have taken place twice. The following content is part of the events:
- Spotlight Hour: A Pokémon appears significantly more often for one hour – always with a shiny chance so far.
- Bonus Hour: For one hour, there is a special bonus that is active.
Both events were explicitly released as test events. They want to pay attention to player feedback and adjust or even completely eliminate the events.
The Spotlight Hour is perfect
What I like about the Spotlight Hour: This event feels like a small community day. I think it’s fantastic that you get the chance to hunt a special Pokémon once a week.
I didn’t need either Onix or Spoink as shiny, since I have enough of them. But I think the basic idea is great. Maybe I will be lucky next week and a Pokémon that I have been waiting for as shiny will appear, giving me another chance.
I also like that you don’t know beforehand which Pokémon you will find. That increases the surprise factor and actually offers a lot of variety.
While the spawn rate was manageable in the first week, Niantic significantly increased it in the second week. Almost every Pokémon was Spoink, and you could really go on a shiny hunt. This also shows that Niantic listens to trainer feedback and makes adjustments. The low spawn rate had been criticized after the first week.
I see a lot of potential here: While the Raid Hour every Wednesday always brings the same Pokémon into the raids that can already be found, the Spotlight Hour is completely varied.
You could give each shiny such an event and be busy for weeks. If Onix comes into the spotlight again after a year, that’s completely fine.
The Spotlight Hour could actually enrich playing every week. I would be happy if Niantic keeps this series going.
The Bonus Hour is unnecessary
What I really dislike about the Bonus Hour: To fully utilize a bonus, one hour is not enough. The bonuses are quite small. And even if you make full use of the hour, the gain is hardly noticeable.
The bonus with double raid XP this week is also totally unnecessary. Just a day earlier, there was a raid hour where you should have utilized such a bonus well. One day later, you should raid just as much – and without boosts? That makes no sense to me.
What can be said in its favor: Sure, double stardust is always nice and even in just one hour, one cannot complain about that. If you continue to choose such bonuses, then the event is by no means a waste of time.
What I would wish for: It’s just that you don’t win much by playing. This calls for a much more extreme bonus. How about quintuple stardust?
I would really be up for that, and even in the rain, it would get me outside. Because even if you give it your all for the hour, you don’t earn enough stardust in the end to distort the whole game experience.
That’s why I see no future in the Bonus Hour: Several factors play a role here. Partly bonuses that are not well thought out, too little time, and the expectation that the same bonuses will come in the long run. For me, the Bonus Hour is simply not a reason to go outside.
The criticism from many players supports this. There is hardly anything good to read about the double raid XP here. If Niantic does not take this criticism to heart, the Bonus Hour will likely not last long in this state.
Too many events in the evening hours?
This is becoming evident in February: If you look at the events in February, one thing stands out: The big events always take place on the weekends. During the week, there are hourly event series on 3 days.
Too much to do in Pokémon GO? Recently, there has often been criticism that there are simply too many events in the evenings during the week. Of course, it’s nice that there’s something to do, but the events do bind you somewhat. For example, Julian K. said on our Facebook page about Pokémon GO: “I think it’s somehow exaggerated that there must be such an event three times a week. Who has 24/7 time to participate in every event…”
I personally see it differently. Of course, such events are already a reason to go outside, but if I have something else to do, I do that too.
However, I would also be perfectly fine if two evening events take place each week. The raid hour is a good start and for me, the Spotlight Hour on Tuesday would be completely sufficient. In return, I would also be happy about events that last a whole week.
Lastly, I haven’t said nice things about Pokémon GO:
