FOX on Tech

August is officially Gaming History Month here on FOX on Games! Starting this Monday and running every weekday all month long, we are launching an epic retrospective covering the milestones that shaped the industry. In Week 1, we lay the foundation with pioneer games from Pong to Super Mario Bros. Week 2 explores the machines, tracing the rise of the arcade, the 1983 video game crash, and the salvation of the home console. Week 3 puts the gloves on with the brutal console wars between Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, plus the rise of PC gaming and esports. Finally, Week 4 examines the software that changed everything—from Doom to World of Warcraft—before assessing the interconnected reality of modern gaming. Tune in every weekday to explore the decades of digital entertainment that built a $200 billion global giant. In-Episode Links & Resources: Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our historical retrospectives? Catch up on our foundational analysis of the gaming landscape here: https://megaphone.link/FOXM9094923257 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Week 3 of the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris concluded with massive tournaments across soccer, battle royale, and tactical strategy. We break down the incredible Cinderella story of Răzvan "RvPLegend" Pui climbing from 30th globally to claim the $250,000 EA Sports FC 26 grand final against Levy Finn Rieck. Plus, we cover Virtus.pro's dominant three-day run in PUBG led by tournament MVP Nino "Nixzyee" Mikec, and Team Vision's clean sweep over Aurora Gaming in the Teamfight Tactics 4v4 finals. In-Episode Links & Resources: Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our esports coverage? Catch up on the foundational analysis of these global stages here: https://megaphone.link/FOXM9094923257 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal regulators have given the green light to Amazon-owned Zoox, granting the first commercial exemption for a purpose-built robotaxi without traditional driver controls. We break down how Zoox's unique steering wheel-free, carriage-style pod compares to existing fleets from Waymo and Tesla, what the NHTSA approval means for paid commercial deployment, and how the autonomous vehicle landscape is shifting on public roads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DoorDash has received the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration to commercially operate its own in-house drone delivery fleet. We break down the launch of DoorDash Air, how the company's proprietary technology and autonomous systems aim to augment human drivers for mid-range orders, and where DoorDash stands alongside competitors like Amazon and Uber Eats in the evolving delivery space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration is pressing forward in its quest for global cryptocurrency dominance, gaining key momentum and support from Congress. We break down the latest legislative developments, the push toward national digital asset strategies, and how policymakers on Capitol Hill are shaping the future of financial technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oregon has experienced an explosion in data center construction due to its cheap electricity prices, tax subsidies, and stable climate, but not everyone is happy about that. Hillsboro moved to temporarily ban new data centers while it considers a more permanent solution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meta is debuting a new app called Seller which aims to help people sell their stuff on Facebook Marketplace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Microsoft has officially rolled out Xbox Backward Compatibility for PC, allowing players to natively boot up original Xbox classics directly on their PC rigs and Windows handhelds like the ROG Ally. The first wave of early 2000s nostalgia includes Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live & Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy, complete with upscaling features and upcoming support for achievement hunters. Meanwhile, the first story trailer has arrived for director Zach Cregger's take on the Resident Evil franchise. Following the critical and commercial misfire of 2021's Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, this second cinematic reboot tells an original side-story running parallel to the core games. In-Episode Links & Resources: Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our hardware and simulation coverage? Catch up on our foundational analysis of the gaming landscape here: https://megaphone.link/FOXM9094923257 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Week 2 of the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris has concluded, with League of Legends and Dota 2 taking center stage. We break down Dplus KIA's stunning sweep over French favorites Karmine Corp to silence the home crowd, fueled by MVP Shin 'Smash' Geum-jae. Plus, we cover Parivision's dominant run to take the Dota 2 trophy against BetBoom Team, Team Vitality's defense of their title in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women's International, and Lyon's record-breaking performance in Free Fire. In-Episode Links & Resources: Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our esports coverage? Catch up on the foundational analysis of these global stages here: https://megaphone.link/FOXM9094923257 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Google is releasing data on Gemini artificial intelligence usage across the official app and Google search to better gauge how the technology is being incorporated into people's lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A school on a Seneca Indian reservation in New York is testing out a Realbotix robot as a teaching assistant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meta is making it easier to replace the music on your old Instagram posts while still keeping the comments and everything else the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Crypto experts claim foreign adversaries such as Iran and North Korea are utilizing digital assets to evade global sanctions and funnel money to bad actors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cryptocurrency companies are advocating for more Americans to use crypto in their everyday lives, particularly Stablecoins which are chained to the value of the dollar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the world's attention is locked on the soccer World Cup, the video game equivalent, the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris, has delivered a high-stakes opening week. We recap the major results from the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, including UNLIMIT's extraordinary comeback to secure the Apex Legends championship, Luis "DarkAngel" Castillo Gomez's emotional maiden major title in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and 100 Thieves' dominant, undefeated run to claim their first international VALORANT trophy. We analyze how these teams have positioned themselves in the early Club Championship standings and preview the intense competition ahead as the tournament shifts to its next phase. In-Episode Links & Resources: Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our esports coverage? Catch up on the foundational analysis of these global stages here: https://megaphone.link/FOXM9094923257 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PlayStation fighting game fans will need to clear some extra space in their schedules. Sony has officially delayed the release of its "Flex-Strike" wireless arcade stick, originally planned for August 6th, citing the need for "finishing touches" before hitting store shelves. Meanwhile, EA Sports is looking to keep its legendary simulation streak alive. Despite losing the official FIFA license, the EA Sports FC franchise—using its internal "The World's Game" tournament simulation—has predicted that Spain will take the crown this summer. We break down the hardware setback and why fans are keeping a close eye on EA's historic track record of simulating world-class champions. Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our hardware and simulation coverage? Catch up on our previous deep dives here: https://megaphone.link/FOXM9932630922 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The federal government has reached agreements with Google's DeepMind, Microsoft, and SpaceXAI to evaluate advanced artificial intelligence models for national security risks before they are released to the public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House Republicans have launched an investigation into how companies like Airbnb and Anysphere are using Chinese-developed artificial intelligence over national security concerns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Medical drones are starting to emerge as a new tool in health care, and Missouri is now testing whether they could help close care gaps in rural America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders holds an international panel to discuss the advance of artificial intelligence and the need for greater cooperation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Disney Plus is trying to compete with rivals like YouTube and Paramount+ by looking at a free streaming tier supported by advertisements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After two and a half years in Early Access, the creature-collecting survival hit Palworld has officially launched its 1.0 version on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox. Developer Pocket Pair has implemented significant overhauls to base-building and introduced entirely new biomes, including the World Tree region. We discuss why the studio is recommending that players start fresh to fully experience the new progression curve. In other news, Ubisoft has launched a viral marketing campaign for the newly released Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, taking over the social media accounts of brands like McDonald's, Control developer Remedy, and Dead by Daylight creator Behaviour Interactive. We break down what this "boarded" social media stunt might hint at for the future of cross-brand gaming events. Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our coverage of industry marketing trends? Catch up on our previous analysis here: https://megaphone.link/FOXM9393957676 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bipartisan crackdown on AI deepfakes is gaining momentum in Washington, but the video game industry is pushing back. While the "NO FAKES Act" aims to protect Americans' voices and images from unauthorized digital replication, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) argues the bill contains a massive blind spot. Developers warn that without explicit exemptions, the legislation could invite crippling lawsuits over standard gaming practices, such as background NPC generation and player-led character creation. We explore the tension between protecting personal rights and maintaining the creative freedom necessary for modern interactive entertainment. Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our coverage of gaming legislation? Catch up on the foundational analysis of these topics here: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After delaying the release at the request of the United States federal government, OpenAI is now allowing users to access the latest version of its artificial intelligence chat bot, which includes features like voice prompts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You will now be able to hold full voice conversations with ChatGPT ahead of the broad introduction of GPT-5.6. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a bid to create more original video contact and protect the work of smaller creators, X is encouraging users to post TikTok-style reaction videos to other content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Foreign adversaries are increasingly leveraging sophisticated social media campaigns to influence the American public with disinformation, moving from exploiting existing viral conspiracies to manufacturing them entirely out of thin air. Gillian Turner explains this trend that happens during real-time events, such as the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where bots surged to amplify narratives about media collusion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elon Musk's Tesla is launching Robotaxi service in Miami, joining Google's Waymo which has already been operating in the city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following hardware price hikes across Xbox and Valve's new Steam Machine, Sony Interactive executives have hinted that their upcoming console may depart from the industry's traditional "loss leader" strategy. In a recent Q&A, the company stated it does not intend to sell hardware at "significant losses," while also dropping major hints that its next system could feature portable capabilities similar to the Nintendo Switch. Meanwhile, we look at the legendary indie title The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, which just set a new record for concurrent users on Steam following a massive 90% discount in the platform's Summer Sale, marking a historic win for a critical darling that has famously been snubbed by major awards for over a decade. In-Episode Links & Resources: Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our console pricing and industry trend coverage? Get caught up on our previous analysis of the hardware landscape here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HQHePoKPLDyZ2xRO6K7Kz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To celebrate the America 250 milestone, we're getting into the spirit with a virtual tour through our nation's history and landmarks. We look back at how Assassin's Creed III puts you in the middle of the American Revolution, how Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 offer a dark, post-apocalyptic vision of our national identity, and why the floating city of Columbia in BioShock Infinite provides a unique steampunk "what-if" story set in the aftermath of the Civil War. While these games aren't historical textbooks, they remain a fantastic way to explore the spirit of our country's most famous settings. In-Episode Links & Resources: Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our deep dives? Catch up with our foundational analysis here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vuhZLJZeHjH51nM6nXJxu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A smart home thermostat can help regulate the temperature of your home even when everyone is away, a handy upgrade when hundreds of millions of Americans are suffering under a heatwave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A popular internet messaging app is allowing users to reserve an online alias. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American Airlines plans to install SpaceX Starlink internet service on more than 500 of its airplanes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Air taxis are taking another step toward reality above city skies, as JOBY moves to carry out test flights in New York City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OpenAI is following a Trump administration directive to restrict access to the latest version of its powerful chatbot to government agencies and approved partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Preorders for the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto 6 are officially live, and retailers are already warning that high demand will likely outstrip physical supply—though reports suggest these "physical" copies may simply be digital codes in a box. Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced another price hike for its hardware, with the Series S rising to $500 and the Series X reaching $800. In industry news, Bungie is facing a second major blow as the studio lets go of nearly 300 staff members, impacting both the core Destiny 2 team and the developers working on the upcoming extraction shooter Marathon. We break down these major shifts and what they mean for the future of these iconic franchises. Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our industry coverage? Start here to catch up on our previous deep dives: https://megaphone.link/FOXM7110483851 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The gaming world is in mourning following the death of Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot, who was killed in a plane crash in western France at the age of 69. Guillemot, a key figure in the family-led company behind the Assassin's Creed and Far Cry franchises, was piloting his twin-engine Cessna 421 when the accident occurred. In other news, Valve has officially unveiled the pricing for its highly anticipated Steam Machine, which departs from the traditional "loss leader" console model. Starting at $1,049 for a 512GB model and reaching up to $1,428 for a 2TB bundle with a controller, the device is positioned as a premium Linux-based gaming PC rather than a subsidized console. Main Podcast Page: https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/fox-on-games/ Best Place to Start: New to our industry coverage? Start here to catch up on our previous deep dives: https://megaphone.link/FOXM7110483851 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A range of Apple products are getting price increases, including the MacBook, MacBook Neo, and iPad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Android users can now skip ahead of the security line at the airport by using TSA PreCheck Touchless ID to have their face scanned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Los Angeles Unified School Board voted to become the first major U.S. school district to restrict digital learning devices in schools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI over ChatGPT's alleged connection to the deadly Florida State University shooting in April of last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nearly nine years after Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla Semi, the electric trucks are one step closer to hitting the road. We're getting a look at some of the vehicle's new features. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices