Alan Velasco

Tech Editor at HotHardware

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Articles

Marvel Rivals Fans React To Surprise Fee For Changing Costume Colors

6 days ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

Marvel Rivals has found success in the competitive online gaming space where many others have failed, often catastrophically. It has managed to carve a place for itself in this crowded segment, raking in big time revenue for its publisher, NetEase. However, its player base hasn’t always been happy with the design decisions being made, and the latest move is drawing plenty of ire.
Nintendo Switch 2 Updated US Preorder Date And Final Pricing Revealed

6 days ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

The last few weeks have been more chaotic than Nintendo might have liked after fully taking the wraps off the Switch 2. The company was forced to delay the preorder date and there were doubts it would be able to stick to the price point it initially announced thanks to the fluid situation around tariffs. Gamers can rest easy now, as Nintendo has finally confirmed both, although there are some changes on the way.
Discord Tests Facial Scans For Age Verification Raising Privacy Concerns

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

Discord users in the United Kingdom and Australia may soon have to navigate through a new age verification process. The company is currently listing the new process as an “experimental” feature, and for now, it's only available in those countries. It’s a response to governments in the UK and Australia passing laws meant to restrict under aged users from accessing sensitive content online. Discord says users will be prompted to verify their age when encountering two situations in particular.
Major Xbox Update Adds Streaming Option, Mobile App Loses Key Feature

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

Microsoft is bringing several changes to the myriad of devices that Xbox gamers use to engage with the platform. These changes include often requested features for the Xbox mobile app and opening up the Stream Your Own Game feature to more machines. However, the new ways players can access remote play might feel like a downgrade to some.
Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remaster Is Really Happening And These Screenshots Prove It

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

Gamers are living in an era of remasters and remakes as studios and publishers look for consisten return on their investments, with projects people are familiar with. The next modern glow up of a gaming classic has long been rumored to be Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Although, the rumor appears to be confirmed, since screenshots leaked from the team tasked with getting this beloved game ready for modern audiences.
Apple Details Data Collection To Bolster AI And How It Affects Your Privacy

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

Apple has joined most of the tech world in riding the artificial intelligence wave, though the company is struggling mightily to integrate Apple Intelligence into its products. Embarrassingly, its AI has often failed to even get small features, such as summarizing headlines, working the way most expect it to. According to a new Bloomberg report, those shortcomings are because Apple only trains its models using synthetic data.
Death Stranding 2 To Bring Game-Changing Feature For Challenging Boss Battles

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

The gaming world might be waiting patiently, or oftentimes impatiently, for the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, but Death Stranding 2: On The Beach managed to retake some of the limelight with a stellar new trailer. Gamers got excited about jumping back into this beautiful world and see all it has to offer, especially after the trailer debuted a character that harkened back to the Metal Gear franchise.
PlayStation 5 Price Hikes By As Much As 25% Take Effect In These Regions

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

Sony has announced that it’s raising the price of the PlayStation 5 again, with some regions seeing a jump as high as 25%. It’s the last thing gamers want after having to accept the increase in pricing to Nintendo’s hardware and software that’s coming with the Switch 2. It seems as if this will be the new normal going forward with the on again, off again tariff situation in the United States.
Bungie Has Finally Taken The Wraps Off Its Next Big Project, Marathon

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

Bungie has had rough go since being acquired by Sony back in 2022, which led to the studio making cuts in personnel after delivering Destiny 2’s final DLC. To try and reverse its fortunes, however, Bungie is reviving a long dormant franchise from the company’s storied history -- Marathon. Marathon will be returning as an online extraction shooter, where players are tasked with venturing through the world of Tau Ceti IV as a Runner to collect as much loot as they can.
Nintendo Switch Online Adds Streets Of Rage And Two Other Classic Sega Games

1 week ago | hothardware.com | Alan Velasco

The gaming world is buzzing with the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to a big upgrade in graphics performance alongside some solid third-party exclusives. However, the Kyoto-based gaming giant doesn’t plan to stop supporting the original Switch. It’s continuing to add new games to its Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription service, which will now include three new games that will bring a smile to the face of anyone who gamed during the Sega Genesis era.