Palladium Books® Weekly Update – June 28, 2012

By Kevin Siembieda

Crowdsource funding success

The Rifts Northern Gun™ ONE Megaverse Insider crowdfunding was another resounding success. As of today, 353 gamers have "officially" participated in the Rifts® Northern Gun™ ONE crowdfunding, totaling $27,030.00 in purchases. Wow. Thank you. That number may increase a bit as there were a handful of customers who tried to place an order but encountered difficulties. We have been contacting them via email and waiting to resolve any problems.

We saw about 20 more participants in the Northern Gun™ Megaverse Insider crowdfunding than the Rifts® Lemuria offer, but there were fewer top dollar participants; understandable in this economy.

My sincere and heartfelt thank you to EVERYONE who has participated in both crowdfunding offers. Your support is very appreciated and will help Palladium Books release new products, reduce debt and grow stronger!

The Rifts® Northern Gun™ TWO Megaverse® Insider offer is scheduled to start July 12, 2012. It is the LAST crowdfunding for this year. As per many of your requests, Palladium is doing the Insider offer on the two related Northern Gun™ books as two separate crowdfunding offers a few weeks apart.

New books are coming soon!

Yes, I know we are off schedule on new releases, but we are working on FIVE of them for rapid-fire release, and man oh man, are we on fire. I’m simultaneously writing Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook and Rifts® Black Market, and making good progress on both.

The next six books should come out in rapid succession.

When I’m not writing myself, I’m assigning and coordinating artwork and having additional material written by freelancers for the titles above, plus other titles in the pipeline.

UPDATE: Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook

The writing on Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook is shaping up nicely, but a bit slower than I’d like. This is, in part, because I’ve been on fire this week working on Rifts® Black Market. I’m working on both titles simultaneously so I can release them a few weeks apart. A July release!

UPDATE: Rifts® Black Market

I’m hot as heck on this title. I have had Carmen Bellaire and Julius Rosenstein write some additional material for Rifts® Black Market and it is excellent. I also continue to assign artwork to various artists. Rifts® Black Market (like all the books in development) is packed with new data, weapons and information that will make your imaginations soar. A July release!

UPDATE: The Rifter® #59

Alex has finished his editing of The Rifter® #59 and Wayne is in the last leg of the final editing. Artwork has been assigned, and the book should be going to the printer next week. It’s another great issue, with material for Splicers®, Rifts® Xiticix, Techno-Wizardry across the Megaverse®, the second half of the Kezel for Heroes Unlimited™ and more. See the full description for it elsewhere in this Weekly Update. A July release!

UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun™ One

We’ve been talking about this book for months, and the crowdsource funding for it was a big success. Chuck Walton continues to finish the artwork for it, I have Carl Gleba and Carmen Bellaire writing additional weapons and equipment, and the book is going to be epic. I’ll be seeing more finished artwork today or tomorrow when I have my weekly meeting with Chuck.

UPDATE: Northern Gun™ Two

John Zeleznik sent us the not quite finished cover to Northern Gun™ Two to make sure he was on track. Boy, is he ever. It is a wraparound cover depicting the Robot Arena at Northern Gun, and it is looking sweet. We should have the finished cover in a week or two. Northern Gun™ Two will be just as epic as Northern Gun One. It too will be packed with weapons, armor and items that will make gamers squeal with delight, as well as filled with artwork by Chuck Walton and others.

UPDATE: Online Sales

With the last leg of the Northern Gun ONE Megaverse® Insider crowdfunding offer running through Monday, sales have been fantastic. Even after the crowdfunding ended, sales have remained strong across all game lines. Outstanding. Please, keep ‘em coming. And don’t overlook the nifty bookmarks, Chi-Town Library pencils, T-shirts and mugs. Rifts® Lemuria and Endless Dead™, along with Rifts® titles, Heroes Unlimited™ and Palladium Fantasy® in general, are seeing a lot of interest. Robotech® too.

Rifts® Dice Bags are coming back in print

I placed an order for the Rifts® dice bags – gold Rifts® logo on a quality black material – and they should be back in stock and ready to ship in a week or two.

UPDATE: Available on DriveThruRPG.com

Many back issues of The Rifter® are available on DriveThruRPG.com (issues #1-52). Sneak previews of the Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook and Rifts® Black Market should be coming soon. We plan to add a few more items in the coming months that should please Palladium gamers. We are also continuing to move forward with plans for the PDF only editions of The Rifter® #0.1 and The Rifter® #0.2 – both are big, juicy digital editions of new, fan created material for the Palladium Megaverse® of games.

Don’t forget, DriveThruRPG.com also offers the Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® Game Master Kits (both written by Carl Gleba and complete with maps, combat matrix, character sheets, spell list, and 20 pre-rolled characters created by Julius Rosenstein; $5 each), and FREE Sneak Previews of Endless Dead™, Rifts® Lemuria, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™, and Thundercloud Galaxy™, as well as 90+ back stock titles, including back issues of The Rifter®, and first edition rule books for Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Heroes Unlimited™, The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy, and lots of other good things. ALL available as PDF downloads at reasonable prices. And there is MORE to come.

UPDATE: Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store

Alex and I continue to add Palladium collectibles as well as a large number of collectible toys and action figures to my online store. More will be added all weekend long as well as more new items every few days for the next several weeks. Right now they include proofreader copies of books, Palladium gold editions, some artwork, some art prints, and other good stuff. Most Palladium items are signed by me, Alex and other Palladium creators. We’ll keep them coming if you keep buying them. http://stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles

Calling Ultimate Insiders & Benefactors

This week I have been consumed with writing so I have not made calls to the remaining Lemuria Insiders to whom I still owe a call. Likewise, I will call the new Northern Gun One folks at some point too. Let me get a book or two to the printer first. Thanks. YOU are not forgotten. ;) Keep the faith and game on! I truly look forward to chatting with you.

Exciting things continue to boil behind the scenes

Our focus for the next five weeks has to be finishing books and getting them to the printer. Then it’s Gen Con Indy for a week, and back to the grindstone to get more books finished. As I noted last week, there are a number of things going on behind the scenes that could lead to some big news. I’ll fill you in as soon as I can, but it might be a while. In the meantime, we are brimming with excitement about all kinds of new products and secret projects (a few that have been under development for a while) for release in 2013. Carl Gleba, Greg Diaczyk, Josh Sinsapaugh, Brandon Aten, Carmen Bellaire, Matthew Clements, Irvin Jackson and others are all working on one or more Palladium projects for the future.

I need to stay focused on finishing the writing for Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook and Rifts® Black Market, so that’s it for this Update. Keep those imaginations burning bright and have a nice weekend.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer and Game Designer

The Rifter #59

NEW! The Rifter® #59 – Ships in July

The Rifter® is an idea factory that helps players and Game Masters to generate new ideas and keep their games fresh. It provides useful, ready to go, source material gamers can just drop into their ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. It offers new monsters, villains, characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, adventure and ideas for your games. It presents new villains, monsters and dangers to battle, and new ideas to consider. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least two or three other Palladium game lines.

The Rifter® Number 59 examines the deadly, the weird and the magical. Much of the material is suitable for use in multiple settings or easy to adapt. Enjoy.

The Rifter® #59 includes:

Rifts Sourcebook 2: The Mechanoids

Rifts® Sourcebook Two: The Mechanoids®

– Back in Print – Available now

Archie 3 and Hagan Lonovich are two of the most beloved villains (anti-heroes?) in the Rifts Earth setting. This sourcebook highlights their strange relationship, plots and blunders. One of which is inadvertently unleashing The Mechanoids® into the world!

The Mechanoids have one driving goal: To destroy all humanoid life! This book has it all. Source material, the Mechanoids, new equipment, monsters, adventure and cryptic prophecies.

Rifts Coalition Wars 4: Cyber-Knights

Cyber-Knights: A Rifts® Coalition Wars® Sourcebook:

– Back in Print – Available now

The Coalition’s siege on Tolkeen has had a devastating impact on people across North America. None have been more affected than the Cyber-Knights. This sourcebook reveals not only the history and secrets of the Cyber-Knights, but the schism the war has created among the fabled warriors.

Rifts Vampires Sourcebook

Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook

In final production right now. Unknown to most humans, deep within Mexico the vampires have established entire kingdoms. There they live like tyrants and gods, dominating an underclass of cattle people used as slaves and food stock. Learn more about the vampires, their rivals, allies and the humans who willingly serve their supernatural masters for a chance to join the undead. A must-have guide for those who wish to travel deeper into the Vampire Kingdoms or play as vampires and their human minions.

Rifts Black Market

Rifts® Black Market – A Rifts® Sourcebook

The Black Market is the most prevalent trader in weapons, magic items, drugs, and contraband outlawed by the Coalition. Explore the day to day business of the North American Black Market along with its smuggling routes, practices, policies and notable nefarious products and services. Learn about the five major Black Market factions in North America and foreign groups like the Yakuza, Green Scarf Sect and the Underground Railroads of Atlantis and the Vampire Kingdoms.

Rifts Northern Gun One

Rifts® World Book 33: Northern Gun One – New

Northern Gun™ is the largest independent manufacturer of high-tech weapons, robots and vehicles in North America. Outside of the Coalition States, one could argue, no other kingdom is as powerful or influential, at least when it comes to technology and weapons. The manufacture and sale of Northern Gun weapons and vehicles has given virtually every kingdom, town, colony of settlers and adventurer group a chance to survive and prosper. Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, NG has been the premier outfitter of mercenaries, adventurers and upstart kingdoms for generations. Now, for the first time ever, learn Northern Gun’s history, goals and plans for the future. Of course, that means new weapons, robots, power armor, vehicles and gear.

Rifts Northern Gun Two

Rifts® World Book 34: Northern Gun Two – New

More information about the weapons, vehicles and practices of Northern Gun, including the new rage of Robot Gladiatorial combat.

Robotech® Genesis Pits Sourcebook

An in-depth look at the Invid Genesis Pits, their purpose, function and the creatures they create.

Rifts® World Book 35: Megaverse® in Flames

The Minion War spills across Rifts Earth, where demons and infernals hope to recruit allies and use the Rifts as gateways of destruction. Their influence shakes things up across the planet, especially at locations where demons and Deevils already have a strong presence. Demons, Deevils and supernatural beings run rampant and wreak havoc across the world.

DriveThruRPG

PDF downloads from DriveThruRPG.com

This is a great resource for getting out of print Palladium titles and other select books. We’ve made 90 titles available as PDF digital downloads from DriveThruRPG.com. This is a great way to try Palladium products and get access to out of print RPG source material. Some notable titles include.

What’s next?

The following are in development:

Recent Product Releases – available now

Dead Reign Sourcebook 3: Endless Dead

Dead Reign Sourcebook 3: Endless Dead – Available now

Endless Dead™ is a new 96 page sourcebook that will send your Dead Reign™ campaign in new directions or add depth (and zombies). What are you waiting for? Order your copy today. And if you haven’t taken a look at the Dead Reign™ RPG yet, but love zombies, you need to give this dynamic game a try.

Other Recent Releases

New! Rifts® PencilCat. No. 2561 – 50 cents per each pencil. People love this item and often buy them in sets of 10. Enjoy.

New! Palladium Fantasy RPG® Coffee Mug – red on a black, 15.5 ounce mug – Cat. No. 2560 – $10.00.

New! Dead Reign™: “Survive or Die Trying” T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2556 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

New! Rifts® Wilk’s Laser Technologies™ Logo T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2557 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

New! Imagination Unleashed T-Shirt – black image on a red T-shirt – No. 2558 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

New! Rifts® Northern Gun™ Logo T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2559 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

Property of the Coalition™ T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2528 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

Books Back in Print – Available Now

- Old Ones™ for Palladium Fantasy® – Cat. No. 453

- Wolfen Empire for Palladium Fantasy® – Cat. No. 471

- Mutant Underground™ for Heroes Unlimited™ – Cat. No. 520

- Rifts® Mercenaries – Cat. No. 813

- Rifts® Splynn Dimensional Market™ – Cat. No. 836

- Rifts® Free Quebec™ – Cat. No. 837

- Rifts® Three Galaxies™ – Cat. No. 851

- Rifts® Black Vault™ – Cat. No. 855

- Rifts® Triax™ 2 – Cat. No. 881

- Rifts® Sourcebook 2: The Mechanoids® – Cat. No. 805

- Rifts® Coalition Wars® 4: Cyber-Knights™ – Cat. No. 842

New Rifts® Miniatures

The following new Rifts® miniatures have never before been released by Palladium Books.

MI8021 – Rifts® Shadow Beast – $12.00

MI8022 – Rifts® Mystic Knight – $6.00

MI8023 – Rifts® Lord Magus – $6.00

MI8024 – Rifts® High Magus – $6.00

MI8025 – Rifts® Coalition Psi-Stalker (new-style Dead Boy armor) – $6.00

MI8026 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy in DPM-D1 Armor – $6.00

MI8027 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #2 (with energy rifle) – $6.00

MI8028 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #3 (with rifle and Vibro-Knife) – $6.00

MI8029 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #4 (German Shepherd with rifle and Vibro-Claws) – $6.00

MI8030 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #5 (Bulldog with energy rifle and Vibro-Claws) – $6.00

Classic Rifts® Miniatures – Back in stock

The following favorite Rifts® miniatures are back in stock. Some, like the Glitter Boy, have sold on the collector’s market for as much as $50-$120. They are being re-released for the first time in a decade.

MI8031 – Rifts® Glitter Boy Power Armor – $20.00; this is a large, heavy figure.

MI8032 – Rifts® Glitter Boy Pilot – $6.00

MI8033 – Rifts® Kydian Overlord (Atlantis) – $20.00; this is a large, heavy figure.

MI8034 – Rifts® Dragonsaurus (Atlantis) – $10.00

MI8035 – Rifts® Slaver and Slave (Atlantis); 2 figs, no plastic bases – $10.00

MI8036 – Rifts® Crazy – $6.00

MI8037 – Rifts® Juicer #1 (with laser pistol) – $6.00

MI8038 – Rifts® Juicer #2 (with Vibro-Sword) – $6.00

MI8039 – Rifts® Cyborg #1 (with Rail Gun) – $12.00

MI8040 – Rifts® Cyborg #2 (with gun hands) – $12.00

MI8041 – Rifts® Cyborg #3 – $6.00

MI8042 – Rifts® Coalition Officer (old armor) – $6.00

MI8043 – Rifts® Coalition Grunt #1 (old armor) – $6.00

MI8044 – Rifts® Coalition Grunt #2 (old armor) – $6.00

MI8045 – Rifts® Coalition Grunt #3 (old armor) – $6.00

© Copyright 2012 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Beyond the Supernatural™, Chaos Earth, Coalition States, Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, Warpath, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.

Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.