CHICAGO, IL | May 4, 2026 – This Star Wars Day, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (CHITAG) is giving fans something to look forward to: a celebration of a galaxy far, far away for the 50th anniversary Star Wars. Taking place November 7 to 8, 2026 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, the event will honor five decades since Star Wars: A New Hope debuted on May 25, 1977.   Presented by People of Play™, a division of The Toy Association™, CHITAG will transform the show floor into an immersive Star Wars experience, complete with appearances from Chicagoland fan groups. Participating organizations will include the 501st Legion Vader's Fist, Chicago Jedi, Saber Guild Olega Temple, and more.   Fans and attendees will come face-to-face with iconic characters from across the Star Wars universe — including Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Grogu, the Jedi, Rebel pilots, droids, and more — and take part in interactive experiences such as photo opportunities, live lightsaber duels, and other themed activities for all ages.   “CHITAG has always celebrated what’s happening in the toy space and the cultural moments that bring fans together,” said Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association. “There’s no better way to honor the 50th anniversary of Star Wars than by bringing families, collectors, and fans together to experience the joy, creativity, and storytelling that have inspired generations. May the Force be with you!”   More details about CHITAG 2026 will be announced in the months ahead. Learn more at chitag.com and follow along on social media using #chitag, #chitag2026, & #peopleofplay.   About People of Play™ peopleofplay.com  People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, leads the global toy and game industry in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity. A one-stop source of community for industry professionals, aspiring inventors, and people of all ages who love to play, People of Play hosts a play platform packed with resources, the largest toy and game directory in the industry, and a wide range of events, including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIEs) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge®, the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, and more.   About The Toy Association™ toyassociation.org / toyfoundation.org / peopleofplay.com / thegeniusofplay.org / playsafe.orgFounded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the business trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $155.7 billion, and its roughly 800+ members drive the annual $45.6 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry's voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play's positive impact on childhood development. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, governments, consumers, and the industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.    As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair™ in New York City; hosts marketplace activities in Los Angeles; engages in state, federal, and international advocacy on behalf of its members; supports the inventor and design community through People of Play™ and its numerous assets and events, including the consumer-facing Chicago Toy & Game Fair; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America's widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard. The Toy Association's philanthropic arm is The Toy Foundation™, a 501 (c)(3) children's charity that acts as the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry. To date, The Toy Foundation has delivered the joy of play to 33 million children in need worldwide.   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: People of Play PR Emily Auriemma856-723-3055emilya@carvecomms.com    Madelyn Jones919.923.3259madelyn@carvecomms.com 

Anomia   Gameplay If your idea of a party game involves fast-paced card flipping and lots of shouting over other players, Anomia is the perfect game for you. The gameplay is simple: there is one deck of cards, each card featuring a topic and a symbol. Place the deck of cards in the center of the play area and take turns flipping a card from the main deck into individual face-up piles—one for each player.   If, when a card is flipped, the symbol matches that of another player’s top card, a faceoff ensues. Each player competes to name an example of the topic on their opponent’s card. The first to do so keeps their opponent’s card, which will be worth one point at the end of the game.   With one card coming out of play, a new one is revealed. If that card’s symbol matches with another player’s, another faceoff begins. This process repeats until no symbols match, and then the flipping over of the main deck continues.   There are also a few wild cards in the deck. If a wild card is drawn, place it in the middle of the play area. The wild card will feature two different symbols, but when the wild card is played, those symbols become a match until another wild card is played and replaces it.   If there is a tie, meaning players shout their word at the same time, a fresh card is drawn from the deck and the tied players must compete to shout an example of the chosen topic. The first to do so wins their opponent’s card.   Game continues until the deck runs out—whoever has the most points at the end of the game wins!   History Andrew Innes came up with the idea for Anomia when he was about 12 years old, and held onto that idea for many years, first building a prototype in his early 30s. In 2009, he founded Anomia Press and crowdsourced to fund the very first edition of Anomia. Halfway through the year, he had pre-sold over 500 copies of Anomia and began production. By Thanksgiving, those pre-sold games were shipped, and he sold another 500 before Christmas. By the end of 2010, he’d sold over 25,000 copies, and the game took off from there!   Variations Over the years, there have been a few different variations of Anomia, each bringing a new set of cards into the game. The first variation, Anomia 2.0, simply brings new categories to the table. Anomia Kids brings kid-friendly categories, and Anomia Pop Culture has categories referencing movies, music, television, and more of that variety. Anomia Party Edition increases the number of cards in a deck and adds blank cards, allowing you to customize categories. Of course, what’s a party game without a NSFW edition—you’ll find that with Anomia X, as in, X-rated.   Reception & Awards In 2010, Anomia won the Mensa Select Game of the Year Award and the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association Best Toy For Kids award. The following year, the National Parenting Center gave the game their “Seal of Approval.”   In 2014, Anomia won the Best Party Game award at the UK Games Expo, and in 2016, Anomia Party Edition won the National Parenting Product Award. In 2018, Anomia Kids won another National Parenting Product Award as well as the Parents’ Choice Award, and most recently, in 2023, Wirecutter featured Anomia on their list of the 11 Best Board Games [as of] 2023.  

While the exact count can vary depending on how broadly “toy and game companies” are defined, a select group of companies shaping the world of play has been recognized on the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list since its inception in 2021.   Time's 2026 list includes Learning Resources, The Walt Disney Company, Sesame Workshop, and Jellycat—each representing a different dimension of play.   New Honorees   Learning Resources: Recognized for its educational advocacy and standing up for small businesses. The company challenged U.S. tariffs to protect the affordability of essential classroom tools and was noted for its commitment to screen-free STEM learning for young children. LR was also named to the inaugural TIME100 Companies: Industry Leaders list.   Sesame Workshop: The 57-year-old nonprofit has made emotional literacy central to its flagship programming, weaving research-backed lessons on anxiety, self-regulation, and resilience into the world-famous children’s show while offering free online resources for families on grief, loss, and parental addiction.   Jellycat: The luxury plush toy brand was a new addition to the list in 2026.   Returning and Past Honorees   The Walt Disney Company: TIME highlighted Disney’s competitive strengths in the entertainment industry and noted the company’s focus on achieving profitability in its streaming businesses.. Disney has been featured annually since the list’s inception in 2021.   Mattel: A frequent honoree, appearing on the inaugural 2021 list and returning in 2023. It was recognized for its transformation into an IP-driven powerhouse with brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Uno.   The LEGO Group: Named to the list in 2021 and 2025, where it was honored with the inaugural TIME100 Companies Impact Award in Culture.   Jazwares: Best known for the Squishmallows craze, this global toy maker was named to the 2024 list for reinvigorating the plush toy category.   Nintendo: Recognized in both 2021 and 2025 for its enduring influence and innovation in the digital toy and video game sectors.   Epic Games: The creator of Fortnite and the Unreal Engine, named to the list in 2021 and 2024.   Roblox: Honored in 2021 for its massive user-generated social gaming platform.   Scopely: A leader in mobile gaming (developer of Monopoly Go!), it earned spots in 2024 and 2025.   Tencent: Recognized as a global gaming giant and "Titan" in 2026 for its massive portfolio and pivot toward AI.   Pop Mart: A Chinese collectible toy company known for its "blind box" and "ugly-cute" character culture, named to the 2025 list.   Ludo Studio: The Australian production company behind Bluey, recognized in 2024 for its cultural impact on family play and imaginative games.   If we broaden the definition:   Nex: A new entry for 2026, highlighted as a leader in "safer gaming." Their motion-activated console, Nex Playground, is noted for being controller-free and focused on active, non-violent play for families.   Beast Industries: While categorized under Entertainment, Beast Industries (led by MrBeast) was recognized in 2026 for its rapid expansion into high-engagement media and games, including the massive Beast Games production.   Discord: Included in the 2026 list, it remains a critical infrastructure for the global gaming community, serving as the primary hub for player-led social interaction.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SKY CASTLE TOYS® GRANTED PATENT FOR STICKI ROLLS®, PUTTING COMPETITORS AND RETAILERS ON NOTICE First of Multiple Patent Filings Across 40+ Countries Establishes Broad IP Protection for the Wearable Sticker Jewelry Phenomenon SEATTLE, WA — April 29, 2026 — Sky Castle Toys®, the award-winning toy company behind the globally popular Sticki Rolls® brand, today announced the grant of its first patent covering the core innovation behind Sticki Rolls — a breakthrough in wearable, collectible sticker jewelry. This patent, the first in a series of filings the company has made in over 40 countries worldwide,serves as formal notice to competitors, IP licensors and retail partners that the Sticki Rolls intellectual property is protected under law. This is a unique play pattern that is wholly original to Sky Castle Toys and protected by this patent. Sky Castle Toys has filed corresponding patents in more than 40 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia — establishing one of the broadest IP enforcement frameworks in the toy industry for a product of this category. Retailers and competing manufacturers are advised that unauthorized reproduction, importation, or sale of products that infringe upon this patent or the related pending filings may result in legal action. “Securing this patent provides solid proof to IP licensors and our retail partners that Sticki Rolls is an original innovation that Sky Castle Toys will vigorously defend,” said Lev Nelson, CEO of Sky Castle Toys.“We have built something genuinely new, and we are rigorously protecting it.This patent along with brand trademark and design copyrights form the foundation of acomprehensive global IP strategy that is already well underway.” “Our retail partners, as well as, the inventors we work with deserve to be protected,” Nelson added. “This patent, along with the others we have in progress, gives retailers, consumers and creators that protection. What This Patent Means for the Industry • Competitors: Manufacturing or distributing toy products that replicate the mechanics of Sticki Rolls constitutes potential patent infringement. Sky Castle Toys will actively monitor the market and enforce its rights. To support this effort, Sky Castle Toys utilizes Podqi, a global IP monitoring platform, to continuously track potential infringement across markets worldwide. • Retailers: Stocking infringing products carries legal risk. Sky Castle Toys encourages all retail partners to carry only authorized Sticki Rolls product and to contact the company directly with any questions regarding product authenticity. • Global Reach: With filings across 40+ countries, this is not a single-market enforcement action. Sky Castle Toys’ IP strategy is designed to protect the Sticki Rolls brand on a worldwide basis. • Enforcement Technology: Sky Castle Toys employs Podqi, a leading global IP monitoring platform, to continuously scan markets worldwide for potential patent, trademark, and design infringement. This technology-driven approach ensures that unauthorized products are identified and addressed swiftly, wherever they appear. Sky Castle is represented by IP enforcement law firms of Barnes Thornburg in the USA, Potter Clarkson in the UK, Gaowo law firm in China, Gianna Origoni in Italy and EU countries. • Notice to IP Licensors: Because the Sticki Rolls product invention is protected by this patent, Sky Castle Toys will actively work with its IP licensors — including global brand owners such as Disney, Sanrio, Microsoft, and others — to ensure they do not inadvertently license competing or infringing products to third parties. Sky Castle Toys will provide its licensing partners with the relevant patent details and technical specifications necessary to identify and prevent the licensing of copycat products that incorporate the protected Sticki Rolls mechanics. Sky Castle Toys is committed to protecting not only its own rights, but also the integrity of the licensing relationships and brand partnerships it has built. About Sky Castle Toys Sky Castle Toys has been recognized in the global toy industry for creating trend-setting products that combine innovation, self-expression, and entertainment. Home to the award-winning Sticki Rolls® brand — including licensed collections featuring Minecraft®, Hello Kitty®, Aphmau®, and more — Sky Castle Toys continues to embrace trends in how kids andfamilies play, collect, and create. Sticki Rolls products are sold at major retail destinationsincluding Walmart, Target, Five Below and are distributed internationally in over 47 countries through Game On Distributors and Jazwares. Media Contact: Carve Communications for Sky Castle Toys Amy Friedland — amy@carvecomms.com Emily Auriemma — emilya@carvecomms.com