On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the “prediction market” company Kalshi. 

Judge John McHale found Washington state is likely to succeed in proving Kalshi is actually an online gambling site. Those are illegal here in Washington.

State Attorney General Nick Brown brought the lawsuit against Kalshi in March. 

Guest: 

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown

Relevant Links: 

WA judge halts Kalshi ‘prediction market’ over state gambling laws

AG Brown, coalition temporarily block Warner Bros./Paramount merger as lawsuit proceeds

On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the &ldquo;prediction market&rdquo; company Kalshi.&nbsp;
Judge John McHale found Washington state is likely to succeed in proving Kalshi is actually an online gambling site. Those are illegal here in Washington.
State Attorney General Nick Brown brought the lawsuit against Kalshi in March.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown
Relevant Links:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wa-judge-halts-kalshi-prediction-market-over-state-gambling-laws/">WA judge halts Kalshi &lsquo;prediction market&rsquo; over state gambling laws</a>
<a href="https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-brown-coalition-temporarily-block-warner-brosparamount-merger-lawsuit">AG Brown, coalition temporarily block Warner Bros./Paramount merger as lawsuit proceeds</a>

Soundside

On Monday, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the “prediction market” company Kalshi. 

It’s a war of definitions, and Kalshi just lost a battle

The economics behind the most popular video games are, in a word, staggering. 

Case in point: Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be released later this year, and according to IGN, it made $260 MILLION dollars during the first week of pre-orders. Some analysts estimate that the game could rake in about 5 BILLION dollars during its launch week.

But don’t expect to have a hard copy to cherish for your collection – developer Rockstar Games announced last month that GTA 6 will only be available to download.  

Industry giant Sony says it too will soon be ditching discs. The company said earlier this month that it plans to discontinue physical game disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2028. 

Sony says it’s reflecting a broader shift in consumer preference toward digital downloads.

And this shift has consequences for local small businesses: With no discs to sell and trade, stores, especially ones that sell used games, will reap less revenue.  

Adam David owns Big Red’s Retro Games in Silverdale. He says he’s not surprised by these decisions:

“Your newer, younger consumer doesn’t care about a physical disc. Your next generation of game players, they've grown up on digital, and at the same time they're too young to see the ramifications down the road of having just a digital library and the fact that, you know, it can be taken away from you”

What are the ramifications and ripple effects when an industry changes the way we buy its products?

It’s something Seattle-area journalist Jacob Robbins has been pondering – he wrote about the disappearance of physical media in games for his new Substack newsletter entitled “Side Quests.” 

GUEST: Jacob Robbins

RELATED LINKS: 
It’s Going to Be the Biggest Video Game Launch Ever. These Seattle Game Stores Aren’t Happy.
GTA 6 Predicted to Make Up to $5.2 Billion in Sales by End of Launch Week After Securing an Estimated $260 Million via Preorders
'Commercially It Just Makes Sense' - No GTA 6 Disc Decision Explained

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go todonate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The economics behind the most popular video games are, in a word, staggering.&nbsp;
Case in point: Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be released later this year, and according to IGN, it made $260 MILLION dollars during the first week of pre-orders. Some analysts estimate that the game could rake in about 5 BILLION dollars during its launch week.
But don&rsquo;t expect to have a hard copy to cherish for your collection &ndash; developer Rockstar Games <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/grand-theft-auto-vi-digital-only-no-disc-rip-physical-media-1236629695/">announced last month</a> that GTA 6 will only be available to download. &nbsp;
Industry giant Sony says it too will soon be ditching discs. The company said earlier this month that it plans to discontinue physical game disc production for new PlayStation games starting in 2028.&nbsp;
Sony says it&rsquo;s reflecting a broader shift in consumer preference toward digital downloads.
And this shift has consequences for local small businesses: With no discs to sell and trade, stores, especially ones that sell used games, will reap less revenue. &nbsp;
Adam David owns <a href="https://bigredsretrogames.com/">Big Red&rsquo;s Retro Games</a> in Silverdale. He says he&rsquo;s not surprised by these decisions:
&ldquo;Your newer, younger consumer doesn&rsquo;t care about a physical disc. Your next generation of game players, they've grown up on digital, and at the same time they're too young to see the ramifications down the road of having just a digital library and the fact that, you know, it can be taken away from you&rdquo;
What are the ramifications and ripple effects when an industry changes the way we buy its products?
It&rsquo;s something Seattle-area journalist Jacob Robbins has been pondering &ndash; he wrote about the disappearance of physical media in games for his new Substack newsletter entitled &ldquo;<a href="https://sidequestsbeyond.substack.com/">Side Quests</a>.&rdquo;&nbsp;
GUEST: Jacob Robbins
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sidequestsbeyond.substack.com/p/its-going-to-be-the-biggest-video">It&rsquo;s Going to Be the Biggest Video Game Launch Ever. These Seattle Game Stores Aren&rsquo;t Happy.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/gta-6-predicted-to-make-up-to-52-billion-in-sales-by-end-of-launch-week-after-securing-an-estimated-260-million-via-preorders">GTA 6 Predicted to Make Up to $5.2 Billion in Sales by End of Launch Week After Securing an Estimated $260 Million via Preorders</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/no-gta-6-disc-decision-will-make-some-gamers-angry-but-analysts-say-commercially-it-just-makes-sense">'Commercially It Just Makes Sense' - No GTA 6 Disc Decision Explained</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a> Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated to be one of the biggest game releases in history, but it won't be sold on a physical disc. What does this shift away from physical media mean for the gamers who only download a game, and the used game stores who rely on trade-ins and the resale market?

Video Games won't be on discs much longer. Do gamers care?

Haven’t heard about Seattle’s comprehensive plan recently? 

Well, the city council is supposed to be working on it, but the process is on hold because of appeals. 
 
Just to catch you up: The comprehensive plan is a set of zoning changes that are supposed to be a blueprint for future growth. It’s required by state law. It usually means allowing more housing density. One thing this iteration of the plan would do is change zoning laws to allow for six story buildings in neighborhood centers across the city. 

The appeals that are currently putting the plan on hold are based on the State Environmental Policy Act or SEPA. 

City Councilmember Eddie Lin, who chairs the Land Use and Sustainability Committee, said that the current phase of the Comprehensive Plan will be delayed into late 2026 or possibly next year. 

He’s proposing a change that’s working its way through city council. It would limit these types of appeals.

Guest: 

Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin

Relevant Links:

Seattle Times: This change will let Seattle address climate change, housing shortage 

KOMO: Residents and activists clash over plan to curb SEPA appeals at Seattle hearing

Seattle Times: Seattle’s history shows why zoning appeal process matters 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Haven&rsquo;t heard about Seattle&rsquo;s comprehensive plan recently?&nbsp;
Well, the city council is supposed to be working on it, but the process is on hold because of appeals.&nbsp; &nbsp; Just to catch you up: The comprehensive plan is a set of zoning changes that are supposed to be a blueprint for future growth. It&rsquo;s required by state law. It usually means allowing more housing density. One thing this iteration of the plan would do is change zoning laws to allow for six story buildings in neighborhood centers across the city.&nbsp;
The appeals that are currently putting the plan on hold are based on the State Environmental Policy Act or SEPA.&nbsp;
City Councilmember Eddie Lin, who chairs the Land Use and Sustainability Committee, said that the current phase of the Comprehensive Plan will be delayed into late 2026 or possibly next year.&nbsp;
He&rsquo;s proposing a change that&rsquo;s working its way through city council. It would limit these types of appeals.
Guest:&nbsp;
Seattle City Councilmember Eddie Lin
Relevant Links:
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/this-change-will-let-seattle-address-climate-change-housing-shortage/">This change will let Seattle address climate change, housing shortage&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-poised-to-remove-sepa-review-hurdle-for-most-housing-projects/"></a>
KOMO:<a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/residents-and-activists-clash-over-plan-to-curb-sepa-appeals-at-seattle-hearing-state-environmental-policy-act-city-council-action"> Residents and activists clash over plan to curb SEPA appeals at Seattle hearing</a>
Seattle Times: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/seattles-history-shows-why-zoning-appeal-process-matters/">Seattle&rsquo;s history shows why zoning appeal process matters&nbsp;</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

City Councilmember Eddie Lin said that the current phase of the comprehensive plan will be delayed into late 2026 or possibly next year.  He’s proposing a change to limit SEPA appeals.

Seattle City Council weighs ending some environmental appeals as growth plan stalls

Here on Soundside, we're covering Washington’s most competitive races ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election. 

Historically, one of the tightest in the state is the 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. This area includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties. It also covers a small part of Thurston County.

It’s one of the few swing districts left in the country. Voters there have gone for Trump, but they have also repeatedly chosen a Democrat to represent the district in the House.... over a Republican. 

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez currently holds the seat and is running for re-election. She faces a few challengers, like Brent Hennrich. He's campaigning to her left as a progressive alternative. 

Guest: Brent Hennrich, a progressive challenger running to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District

Related links:
Minority Democrats in 20th District endorse progressive alternative for Congress | The Daily Chronicle
What’s fueling the far-left surge? ‘Democrats themselves hate the party’ | The Seattle Times
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez challenged from left, right, center | The Columbian

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Here on Soundside, we're covering Washington&rsquo;s most competitive races ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election.&nbsp;
Historically, one of the tightest in the state is the 3rd Congressional District in Southwest Washington. This area includes Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Skamania Counties. It also covers a small part of Thurston County.
It&rsquo;s one of the few swing districts left in the country. Voters there have gone for Trump, but they have also repeatedly chosen a Democrat to represent the district in the House.... over a Republican.&nbsp;
Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez currently holds the seat and is running for re-election. She faces a few challengers, like Brent Hennrich. He's campaigning to her left as a progressive alternative.&nbsp;
Guest:&nbsp;Brent Hennrich, a progressive challenger running to represent Washington's 3rd Congressional District
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.chronline.com/stories/minority-democrats-in-20th-district-endorse-progressive-alternative-for-congress,404711">Minority Democrats in 20th District endorse progressive alternative for Congress | The Daily Chronicle</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/whats-fueling-the-far-left-surge-democrats-themselves-hate-the-party/">What&rsquo;s fueling the far-left surge? &lsquo;Democrats themselves hate the party&rsquo; | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/18/rep-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-challenged-from-left-right-center/">Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez challenged from left, right, center | The Columbian</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">donate.kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Brent Hennrich is running as a progressive challenger to unseat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in the 3rd Congressional District, which is one of the most competitive races in Washington. 

It’s a war of definitions, and Kalshi just lost a battle

In 1 playlist(s)

Soundside

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips