The gaming industry in the Pacific Northwest has been dealt some major blows in the past few weeks.

Monday, Microsoft announced it would be cutting thousands of full time employees and “restructuring” their XBox division, where 1,600 jobs were cut. It’s not immediately clear how many of those are Washington-based.

Last month, Bellevue based game studio Bungie announced it would be laying off almost 300 full time employees here in the state.

What's behind the upheaval in gaming right now? And what does this mean for our favorite franchises? 

GUEST:Sam Machkovech

RELATED LINKS:
XBox CEO Asha Sharma's letter posted on X
Xbox to cut 20% of workforce, plans to divest of five studios
Microsoft cuts 4,800 across Xbox, sales divisions, redeploys hundreds more
A Studio Shattered: The Aftermath Of The Mass Bungie Layoffs

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.

The gaming industry in the Pacific Northwest has been dealt some major blows in the past few weeks.
Monday, Microsoft announced it would be cutting thousands of full time employees and &ldquo;restructuring&rdquo; their XBox division, where 1,600 jobs were cut. It&rsquo;s not immediately clear how many of those are Washington-based.
Last month, Bellevue based game studio Bungie announced it would be laying off almost 300 full time employees here in the state.
What's behind the upheaval in gaming right now? And what does this mean for our favorite franchises?&nbsp;
GUEST: <a href="https://www.samred.com/">Sam Machkovech</a>
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://x.com/asha_shar/status/2074124008795369482">XBox CEO Asha Sharma's letter posted on X</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.gamefile.news/p/xbox-to-cut-20-of-workforce-plans">Xbox to cut 20% of workforce, plans to divest of five studios</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/microsoft-cuts-4800-across-xbox-sales-divisions-redeploys-hundreds-more/">Microsoft cuts 4,800 across Xbox, sales divisions, redeploys hundreds more</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/06/26/a-studio-shattered-the-aftermath-of-the-mass-bungie-layoffs/">A Studio Shattered: The Aftermath Of The Mass Bungie Layoffs</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://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

"Restructuring" at Microsoft's XBox division brings cuts and studio divestment - but what's behind the layoffs?

XBox layoffs tell a larger story about a video game industry in transition

One of Washington’s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.

For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats. 

For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.

Guest

Chris Bloomquist, startup founder and the owner of a recruiting firm

Related Links

Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District- The Daily Herald

Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls - The Washington State Standard

Soundside's interview with Keith Scully, another candidate for Position 1 - KUOW

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.

One of Washington&rsquo;s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.&nbsp;Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.
For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats.&nbsp;
For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.
Guest
<a href="https://www.buildwithbloomquist.com/">Chris Bloomquist</a>, startup founder and the owner of a recruiting firm Related Links <a href="https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/07/03/six-candidates-vie-for-open-house-seat-in-32nd-district/">Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District</a> - The Daily Herald <a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/16/seattle-area-state-house-race-draws-crowded-field-of-democratic-hopefuls/">Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls</a> - The Washington State Standard
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/soundside/primary-elections-2026-keith-scully-candidate-for-position-1-legislative-district-32">Soundside's interview with Keith Scully, another candidate for Position 1</a> - KUOW
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <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.

The 32nd includes some of northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.

Primary Elections 2026: Chris Bloomquist, candidate for Position 1, Legislative District 32

One of Washington’s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.

For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats. 

For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign. 

The first of four interviews is with Keith Scully, a Shoreline councilmember and a lawyer. He’s also Shoreline’s former mayor. 

He lives in Richmond Beach with his family. 

Guest

Keith Scully, Shoreline councilmember, lawyer

Related Links

Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District- The Daily Herald

Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls - The Washington State Standard

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.

 

One of Washington&rsquo;s hottest statehouse races is for a district representing northwest Seattle, Shoreline, parts of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.&nbsp;Legislative District 32 has an open seat, because longtime representative Cindy Ryu is challenging for a state senate seat.
For Position 1, the candidate field in this solidly-blue district is crowded with Democrats.&nbsp;
For this round of interviews before the primary, Soundside is focusing on candidates who have raised more than $50,000 to fund their campaign.&nbsp;
The first of four interviews is with Keith Scully, a Shoreline councilmember and a lawyer. He&rsquo;s also Shoreline&rsquo;s former mayor.&nbsp;
He lives in Richmond Beach with his family.&nbsp; Guest
<a href="https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/elected-and-appointed-officials/shoreline-city-council/scully">Keith Scully</a>, Shoreline councilmember, lawyer Related Links <a href="https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/07/03/six-candidates-vie-for-open-house-seat-in-32nd-district/">Six candidates vie for open House seat in 32nd District</a> - The Daily Herald <a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/16/seattle-area-state-house-race-draws-crowded-field-of-democratic-hopefuls/">Seattle-area state House race draws crowded field of Democratic hopefuls</a> - The Washington State Standard
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <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.
&nbsp;

Primary Elections 2026: Keith Scully, candidate for Position 1, Legislative District 32

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest: KUOW newscaster Paige Browning

Related Links:
KOMO: Seattle records first homicide-free June since 1970
Seattle Times: Seattle’s population boom has hit the brakes, new data shows


The Athletic: Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended
The Athletic: ‘Thank you FIFA for reversing a great injustice!’ How Trump, teammates reacted to Balogun’s ban reprieve

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.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest: KUOW newscaster Paige Browning
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/nyregion/mamdani-politics-influence.html"></a><a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/seattle-had-no-homicides-in-june-for-the-first-time-since-1970-chief-shon-barnes-police-department-spd-law-enforcement-real-time-crime-center-visitors-international-events">KOMO: Seattle records first homicide-free June since 1970</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/nyregion/mamdani-politics-influence.html"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattles-population-boom-hit-the-brakes-in-2026-new-data-shows/">Seattle Times:&nbsp;Seattle&rsquo;s population boom has hit the brakes, new data shows</a></li>
<li>
The Athletic: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7423410/2026/07/05/usmnt-folarin-balogun-red-card-available/">Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended</a>
</li>
<li>The Athletic: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7423606/2026/07/05/fifa-world-cup-balogun-ban-trump/">&lsquo;Thank you FIFA for reversing a great injustice!&rsquo; How Trump, teammates reacted to Balogun&rsquo;s ban reprieve</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://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

XBox layoffs tell a larger story about a video game industry in transition

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