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Entertainment Software Association Introduces the Accessible Games Initiative to Provide Players with Information About Accessibility Features in Video Games

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Founding members Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Ubisoft join ESA at GDC in announcing new accessibility tags to better support players.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced the Accessible Games Initiative, a cross-industry effort to provide consumers with clear information about the accessibility features available in video games. The Accessible Games Initiative was announced at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) by the ESA and representatives from five founding member companies: Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Ubisoft.

The primary purpose of the new Accessible Games Initiative is to help provide clear information about whether a specific video game has accessibility features and, if so, what those features are. The initiative is launching with a set of 24 “tags,” all with clear criteria about what each tag means. Sample tags include: clear text, large and clear subtitles, narrated menus, stick inversion and save anytime, among others. Over time, participating companies will place the Accessible Games Initiative tags near their game product information – for example on digital storefronts, product pages or digital catalogues. This can help provide players and other consumers, such as parents and teachers, with clear information about which features are in any given game before they make a purchase.

“Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, ESA president and CEO. “We are immensely proud to announce the Accessible Games Initiative in partnership with industry leaders. This initiative demonstrates how impactful we can be when we work together in our industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play.”

The idea for the Accessible Games Initiative was first developed by Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Ubisoft. Additional companies have already joined the Initiative, including Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix and Warner Bros. Games. The Accessible Games Initiative will be managed by the ESA, the trade association representing the U.S. video game industry.

Other key facts:

The full list of tags and their definitions/criteria are available at accessiblegames.com.The tags were developed with guidance and feedback sourced from players with disabilities, accessibility advocacy groups and game development teams, all of whom provided valuable insights about the real-world applications of the tags.The tags are launching in U.S.-English.The timeline for implementation of the tags will be determined on a company-by-company basis and is always voluntary.The tags will be located on participating companies’ digital storefronts, product pages and digital catalogues.In addition to player-facing definitions, the Accessible Games Initiative also has criteria available for developers to use the tags and help them develop their games with accessibility in mind.As feedback is gathered from the community, and new technologies and features are developed, we expect the existing tags to evolve and to introduce additional tags in the future.  Accessible Games Initiative tags can coexist with other accessibility tags available in the marketplace.The use of Accessible Games Initiative tags is completely voluntary for video game companies and storefronts, but the tags are available for all to use.

To view the tags and learn more about the Accessible Games Initiative, visit www.accessiblegames.com.

About the ESA
Founded in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has served as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry for more than 30 years. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy to secure a vibrant future for the industry for decades to come. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on X @theESA or Instagram @theesaofficial.

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SOURCE Entertainment Software Association

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Pave and Levels.fyi Announce Strategic Alliance, Bringing Levels.fyi Data Into Pave Agent and Market Pricing

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Compensation decisions draw on more data than ever, and that data is scattered across surveys, spreadsheets, and tools. Pave has built the place where it all comes together: one platform, powered by real-time intelligence and open to every source compensation teams trust. Today’s strategic alliance with Levels.fyi is the latest step in that effort.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pave, the Agentic Compensation Management platform, today announced a strategic alliance with Levels.fyi, a compensation data platform that shows what work pays by company, level, location, and skill.

The alliance builds on Pave’s partnerships with The Croner Company, Korn Ferry, WTW, and others and reflects a continuing commitment: making it easier for customers to bring the critical data behind their pay decisions into one place. Pave will continue to expand the network of data partners available on the platform, so that compensation teams don’t have to stitch together sources by hand or choose between the ones they trust.

Through this strategic alliance, Pave customers can now access Levels.fyi data inside Pave Agent as well as Pave’s Market Pricing tool to compare pay for a role across sources, benchmark against real-time Market Data, and price jobs and build competitive pay ranges. Customers can analyze Levels.fyi data alongside their own compensation data and any other data sources they choose to use. Pave Agent can use Levels.fyi data as a reference input to deliver compensation intelligence, so teams can ask a question in plain language and see the answer across Levels.fyi, their other sources, and real-time intelligence from 9,000-plus companies in Pave’s dataset.

Levels.fyi adds a distinct lens on the market. Its data is contributed directly by the people earning it and backed by proof documents such as offer letters, W-2s, and pay stubs. Alongside survey and real-time views, it shows compensation teams what talent is actually earning.

With Levels.fyi data in Pave, mutual clients can:

Ask Pave Agent to compare pay for a role across Levels.fyi, WTW, Korn Ferry, Croner, and Pave’s real-time Market Data, all within one platformSee self-reported Levels.fyi data next to survey and real-time benchmarks to understand where the market views agree and where they divergeAnalyze Levels.fyi data alongside their own compensation data to see where their pay standsGive every analyst on the comp team, not just the person who manages the survey license, direct access to Levels.fyi data in their daily workflow

“Compensation decisions are only as good as the data behind them, and no single source tells the whole story,” said Matt Schulman, CEO of Pave. “Our goal is for Pave to be the central source for the data compensation teams use to make decisions, with real-time intelligence from 9,000-plus companies as the foundation and every source a client trusts available alongside it. Croner, Korn Ferry, WTW, and now Levels.fyi are steps in that effort, and we will keep adding more. Clients shouldn’t have to choose between the data sources they trust. They should have them all in one place.”

“Effective compensation benchmarking starts with a simple question, ‘How do we compare with the companies we actually compete against?'” said Zuhayeer Musa, co-founder of Levels.fyi. “Our data gives customers a current, company-level view of the market, backed by real proof such as offer letters and pay stubs. Bringing that perspective into Pave means teams can build the peer groups that matter to them, focus on a single competitor, and combine Levels.fyi’s rich intelligence with the rest of their stack. Pave has set the standard for connected compensation, and we’re excited to keep helping our mutual customers make faster, more confident pay decisions.”

Levels.fyi data is now available to mutual customers through Pave Agent and Pave’s Market Pricing tool. Existing customers can contact their account teams for access and availability details.

About Pave

Pave is the Agentic Compensation Management platform, powered by real-time compensation intelligence from 9,000-plus companies and a growing network of data partners. Beyond Market Pricing, Pave’s platform spans Market Data benchmarking, Compensation Planning, Total Rewards, Team View, Visual Offer Letters, and Pave Agent, giving compensation teams one connected system to price roles, plan cycles, and communicate pay across the business. To learn more, visit www.pave.com.

About Levels.fyi

Levels.fyi is a compensation data platform that shows what work pays by company, level, location, and skill, and offers a different perspective of the market. Its data is contributed directly by the people earning it, backed by proof documents like offer letters, W-2s, and pay stubs. Levels.fyi reports 1M+ compensation data points, 2,100+ companies with fresh data, and 8,500+ company job ladders mapped, and says more than 3M professionals use the platform every month. To learn more, visit www.levels.fyi.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pave-and-levelsfyi-announce-strategic-alliance-bringing-levelsfyi-data-into-pave-agent-and-market-pricing-302922761.html

SOURCE Pave

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Updated Effective Date: Huron Consulting Group Set to Join S&P SmallCap 600

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NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Huron Consulting Group Inc. (NASD: HURN) will replace Supernus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASD: SUPN) in the S&P SmallCap 600 before the opening of trading on Tuesday, November 3, instead of Monday, November 2. S&P SmallCap 600 constituent Indivior Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASD: INDV) is acquiring Supernus Pharmaceuticals in a transaction expected to close soon, subject to final closing conditions. Post merger, Indivior Pharmaceuticals will assume the name Supernus Inc. and will trade under the symbol SUPN. It will remain in the S&P SmallCap 600.

S&P Dow Jones Indices announced the original November 2 effective date in its October 22, 2026 press release and is revising the effective date due to a special dividend ex- date announcement related to the merger.

Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date:

Effective Date

Index Name

Action

Company Name

Ticker

GICS Sector

Nov 3, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Addition

Huron Consulting Group

HURN

Industrials

Nov 3, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Deletion

Supernus Pharmaceuticals

SUPN

Health Care

ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

S&P Dow Jones Indices
index_services@spglobal.com

Media Inquiries
spdji.comms@spglobal.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/updated-effective-date-huron-consulting-group-set-to-join-sp-smallcap-600-302922778.html

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices

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Worksmith Appoints Sonu Panda as Chief Revenue Officer, Enhancing Its Executive Team

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Panda reunites with Worksmith Founder and CEO Bryan Burkhart as the company completes the first phase of integrating Worksmith Workplace and Worksmith Workforce.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Worksmith today announced the appointment of Sonu Panda as Chief Revenue Officer. Panda will lead Worksmith’s revenue organization across its two products, Worksmith Workplace and Worksmith Workforce.

Panda reunites with Worksmith Founder and CEO Bryan Burkhart as the company completes the first phase of integrating Worksmith Workplace and Worksmith Workforce.

Panda has spent his career building and leading revenue teams in software. At Callidus Software, he served as Vice President of Sales across North America, EMEA, and Latin America, and later led on-On-Demand sales as the company moved from traditional enterprise software to a public SaaS business with more than $100 million in revenue. Most recently, he was CEO of Prescriptive Data, a SaaS company applying connected devices, data, and machine learning to commercial buildings, where he oversaw sales, business development, marketing, customer success, and engineering.

The role also reunites Panda with Worksmith Founder and CEO Bryan Burkhart. The two co-founded H.Bloom, a B2B marketplace, where Panda served as Chief Operating Officer and built the company’s operating model.

“We are excited to have Sonu join the Worksmith team full-time as our first-ever CRO. Sonu’s successful career in building world-class sales teams and the decade he has spent on the Worksmith board make him uniquely positioned to lead our next phase of growth, as we strive to deliver the operating system for retail to more customers,” said Bryan Burkhart, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Worksmith.

Panda joins with momentum on both sides of the business. Worksmith Workforce, formerly Progress Retail, has more than doubled its revenue since Worksmith acquired the company in June 2025, alongside a rapid pace of product development.

The two products have also completed the first phase of their integration. Clients that use both now reach retail operations, facilities maintenance, and workforce management through a single login.

“Having witnessed Worksmith’s steady growth first-hand, I’m thrilled to join Worksmith as Chief Revenue Officer for the next phase of Worksmith’s expansion and beyond,” said Sonu Panda, Chief Revenue Officer at Worksmith.

Panda’s appointment follows the promotion of Ray Riley, former CEO of Progress Retail, to Chief Strategy Officer. Panda takes over group revenue responsibilities from Riley.

ABOUT WORKSMITH

Worksmith is a retail operations platform for multi-location brands, spanning two products. Worksmith Workplace covers facilities maintenance, vendor management, and store development, including new builds, remodels, and project management. Worksmith Workforce covers training and development, task execution, store audits, ticketing, employee communications, and AI-powered associate support. Worksmith serves retailers running anywhere from five to more than 500 locations across three continents.

Media Contact

Iprita Bhattarai, Worksmith, 1 8337472428, support@worksmith.com, https://worksmith.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/worksmith-appoints-sonu-panda-as-chief-revenue-officer-enhancing-its-executive-team-302922495.html

SOURCE Worksmith

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