TechLinked Podcast Summary Episode: PS5 Exclusive on Xbox, Stop Killing Games, Big Beautiful Bill + more!
Release Date: July 5, 2025
Host/Author: Linus Media Group

1. Helldivers 2 Cross-Platform Debut

In a groundbreaking move, Helldivers 2, originally a PlayStation exclusive, is set to launch on Xbox on August 26th. Host B highlights, "Helldivers 2 will officially be the first PlayStation exclusive game actually published by PlayStation to arrive on Xbox when it drops from orbit on August 26th" (00:27). This marks a significant shift, as it's the first time PlayStation has voluntarily allowed an exclusive title to cross over to Xbox, contrasting with previous instances like MLB The Show, where external pressures facilitated the move.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions among the gaming community. While many PlayStation fans remain indifferent or supportive, some Xbox enthusiasts express frustration over losing exclusives they’ve long cherished. B notes, "the vast majority of PlayStation players think this is good or don't really care," acknowledging the varied fan responses across platforms.

2. Stop Killing Games Initiative Gains Momentum

The Stop Killing Games campaign, advocating for game preservation, has achieved significant milestones by surpassing signature goals for its EU and UK petitions, amassing over 1.1 million and 150,000 signatures respectively (00:27). Despite this progress, the initiative urges further support to ensure that these petitions meet the necessary verification standards set by officials.

However, challenges persist. The UK government previously stated, "there's no law requiring game companies to essentially support their games indefinitely," emphasizing that the petition seeks only for companies to develop end-of-life plans to prevent permanent game losses. Coinciding with the petition's success, EA announced the shutdown of servers for Anthem effective January 12, 2026. The news was particularly disheartening for dedicated players who admired the game's unique mechanics, such as its "core flying around cosplaying his Iron man mechanic" (00:27).

3. US Big Beautiful Bill: Implications for Tech and Energy

President Donald Trump has signed the highly anticipated Big Beautiful Bill into law, introducing several pivotal tech and energy policies:

• EV Tax Credit Removal: The $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles will expire on September 30, potentially impacting EV adoption rates.
• Renewable Energy Credits: Tax incentives for building new solar and wind energy infrastructure will be phased out by 2027, likely increasing electricity costs nationwide.
• Electromagnetic Spectrum Auction: The bill mandates the auctioning of 800 MHz of electromagnetic spectrum around the 6-7 GHz range by 2034, which may adversely affect WiFi speeds associated with WiFi 6 and 7 standards.
• Chip Manufacturing Incentives: On a positive note, tax credits for establishing chip manufacturing facilities in the US are increased from 25% to 35%. Additionally, restrictions on exporting chip design software to China have been lifted, facilitating better trade relations and cooperation in rare earth mineral exports essential for battery production.

B remarks, "The tax credit for building chip manufacturing capacity in the US is rising to 35% from 25%," highlighting the bill's mixed impact on the tech industry (00:27). For a comprehensive analysis, listeners are directed to a New York Times breakdown of the legislation.

4. Nvidia’s RTX 5050 Underwhelms Despite High Market Valuation

The latest Nvidia RTX 5050 graphics card has received disappointing reviews. Priced competitively at $250, it matches the Intel Arc B580's MSRP but falls short with "4 gigabyte less VRAM, a smaller 128-bit memory bus, and worse performance" (06:14). Despite these shortcomings, Nvidia’s market position remains robust, with its market cap nearing the status of the world’s most valuable company. Host B cynically notes, "how gamers feel about this literally doesn't matter to anyone, least of all to Nvidia's market cap," emphasizing the company's dominance regardless of product performance.

5. Meta's Proactive (and Perhaps Annoying) Chatbots

Meta is advancing its chatbot technology by training bots to message users unsolicitedly to follow up on previous interactions, as revealed in leaked documents and later confirmed by the company (06:14). This move aims to increase user engagement but has raised concerns about the perceived desperation of these AI entities seeking approval. B quips, "They just fold, right? Have some backbone," reflecting skepticism about the effectiveness and reception of such initiatives.

6. Archive Team's Bandwidth Donation Drive

The Archive Team is spearheading an initiative to preserve digital content by recruiting PC users to donate unused internet bandwidth. Utilizing the Archive Team Warrior tool, which operates within a lightweight virtual machine and consumes minimal system resources, users can contribute effortlessly. Host B encourages participation, stating, "Check it out. Maybe support them by getting a sticker that depicts an Archive team Warrior running away from danger," underscoring the project's significance in maintaining public digital archives (06:14).

7. Fairphone 6 Earns Top Repairability Score

Sustainability meets functionality with the release of the Fairphone 6, celebrated for its superior repairability. iFixit awarded it a perfect score of 10 out of 10, a testament to its design prioritizing longevity and user-friendly repairs. B expresses relief, exclaiming, "Phew, that was a close one," highlighting the importance of such innovations in the tech industry (06:14).

8. Black Dot’s Controversial Automatic Tattooing Machine

In the realm of innovative tech meets personal expression, Black Dot has introduced an automatic tattooing machine available at the New York tattoo shop Bang Bang. Despite assurances that it's "not a robot," the machine has faced backlash from tattoo enthusiasts. Host B humorously critiques the company's marketing strategy, "the thing that stuck out to me the most is this ebook written by Black Dot's founder and CEO about himself that you can read for free if you give them your email address," hinting at the incongruity between the product and its creator’s lack of tattoos. Alternatives like Emily the Engineer's Frankenstein 3D printer tattoo printer are suggested as potentially safer options, concluding with a lighthearted warning: "Don't take your chances on missing any tech news. Come back on Monday unless you booked an appointment with the tattoo robot."

Conclusion

This episode of TechLinked navigates a diverse array of topics, from cross-platform game releases and game preservation efforts to significant legislative changes impacting the tech and energy sectors. It also delves into hardware reviews, AI developments, digital preservation initiatives, sustainable technology, and innovative yet controversial tech products. With insightful commentary and a sprinkle of humor, Linus Media Group provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the tech and gaming worlds.