Palladium Books® Weekly Update – April 14, 2016

By Kevin Siembieda

Eyes blurry. Head spinning. Working on so many things. So many deadlines. Read on. Good stuff is coming.

UPDATE: Coalition States: Heroes of Humanity Sourcebook – Done – a May release

Yep, the Heroes of Humanity™ Sourcebook is done! 160 pages of epic goodness, with ways to upgrade your existing Coalition and men-at-arms characters with Advanced Training, more on CS Juicers, Cyborgs, Psi-Battalion, and other O.C.C.s, plus some new ones like the CS Death Knight, Demon Hunter and Combat Courier, as well as CS strategies and tactics, fighting alongside mages and D-Bees, demon and Deevil strategies and tactics, Coalition secrets and shadow wars, and all kinds of good stuff. See the description elsewhere in this update and in the Palladium Online store. Taking pre-orders right now. And this bad boy is a must-have book title. We will let you know the ship date as soon as the printer notifies us.

UPDATE: CS Heroes of Humanity Arsenal Sourcebook

Working on it now! CS Heroes of Humanity™ Arsenal is the companion to the Heroes of Humanity™ Sourcebook. It will be jam-packed with new Coalition armor, power armor, robots, combat vehicles, and related goodies. Time to pre-order! See the description elsewhere.

UPDATE: Rifts® The Disavowed

Rifts® The Disavowed™ should quickly follow CS Heroes of Humanity™ Arsenal. It expands the scope of adventures even further.

UPDATE: Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans

In final development. Artist John Zeleznik and I pow-wowed about the cover earlier this week. Assigning interior art in the weeks ahead.

UPDATE: Rifts® Sovietski

In final development. The cover has been assigned to John Zeleznik. Talked to him about it too. Interior artwork to be assigned.

UPDATE: Savage Rifts® Kickstarter – launches April 26, 2016

Rifts® setting for the Savage Worlds® Game system

Pinnacle is helping to expand the Rifts® Megaverse® by adapting it to their award winning Savage Worlds game system. And let me tell you, it is an adaptation made by game designers who clearly know and love Rifts®. I don’t think I could have done a better encapsulation and introduction to Rifts® myself. And the color artwork ... awesome.

Palladium’s Rifts® fans and collectors will want these delicious, full color, well written books just to read and own if nothing else. Ah, but there are all kinds of cool ideas, tables and adventures you can easily incorporate in your current Rifts games. I loved reading the new write ups for the Rifts® world, the CS, key characters and monsters, and new ideas for playing. Very cool. It excited me and I created this world! Oh, and make sure you check out the cool Kickstarter limited run items.

The Pinnacle creators have worked so hard to make this new game line fantastic. I hope it is a huge success. Savage Rifts® is a licensed property. Palladium’s only involvement has been approvals, corrections and suggestions. These talented ladies and gents have done us and the Rifts® world proud. They have put their hearts and souls into these products and it shows. I wish all licensing experiences were this easy and good to work with. All of us at Palladium Books wish the talented folks at Pinnacle great success with this new Rifts® game line.

Here is a link to Pinnacle’s actual announcement: http://www.peginc.com/rifts-for-savage-worlds-kickstarter-starts-april-26/

UPDATE: Robotech® RPG Tactics

We’re gearing up for more Robotech® RPG Tactics™. Here are some photos of prototypes for the SDF-1, Armored Valkyrie and YF-4 in all three modes. More to come.


Rifts® World Book PDFs on DriveThruRPG.com

All kinds of Rifts® World Books and other titles are available now. With so much going on and people getting sick, the number of new PDFs will stall for a couple of weeks before picking up again. Ah, but there are plenty of Rifts® and other titles available right now at DriveThruRPG.com! With more Rifts® and other Palladium game titles coming to PDF in the weeks and months ahead.

Recent PDF titles include Rifts® World Book 27: Adventures in Dinosaur Swamp™, Rifts® World Book 26: Dinosaur Swamp, World Book 25: Rifts® China Two, World Book 24: Rifts® China One, Rifts® World Book 23: Xiticix Invasion, Rifts® World Book 22: Free Quebec, Rifts® World Book 21: Splynn Dimensional Market, Rifts® World Book 20: Canada, Rifts® World Book 19: Australia, Rifts® World Book 18: Mystic Russia, Rifts® World Book 17: Warlords of Russia and Rifts® World Book 16: Federation of Magic from the last few weeks, and a slew of other titles that have gone up over the last couple of months. There are also previews of The Rifter® #73, Northern Gun 1 & 2, Lemuria, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms, Bizantium and many other Palladium titles. Things remain in place to see 2-3 new PDFs of Rifts® World Books and other titles added every week.

In addition to the titles listed above, The Minion War™ series of books, the Rifts® Coalition Wars®/Tolkeen series, Chaos Earth® Resurrection, all of the Dead Reign® (Zombie Apocalypse) titles, Splicers® RPG and most issues of The Rifter® are available NOW! So are first edition rules of the Heroes Unlimited™ RPG and sourcebooks, Palladium Fantasy RPG® and sourcebooks, The Mechanoids®, and much more, available on DriveThruRPG.com.

Available right now:

Palladium Collectibles Available in Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store

A wide range of art and collectibles have been selling over the last few weeks. Nice. I hope you enjoy your items, be they out of print books, signed titles, rare hardcovers, original artwork, toys or other goodies. Original art are one-of-a-kind items, so when they are gone (like the TMNT sketches and Rifts® illustrations), they are gone. Many other offerings are signed, limited editions or are items that have been sold out for some time.

I’ll continue to pull things out of my personal collection and Palladium archives. A bunch of toys have been added to my online store with more to come.

More collectibles, artwork and toys are added almost every week. Palladium collectibles, hardcovers, out-of-print titles, original artwork, and toys and items from my personal collection are on my ebay store. We add items on a regular basis and offer sales, so check it out from time to time. Includes one-of-a-kind original artwork, prints, Rifts® and Robotech® artwork by Kevin Long, me and others. There is also a range of limited editions, rare book titles and limited edition hardcovers, toys and more available with frequent new items added. Items include original art, out-of-print titles, redlined proofreader photocopies signed by me and the staff, signed manuscripts with editors’ corrections, some original art, hardcover books (including Rifts® Lemuria, Northern Gun™ One, Northern Gun™ Two, Megaverse® in Flames™, Beyond the Supernatural™ Gold, Rifts® Machinations of Doom™ Gold and Rifts® Ultimate Gold), hundreds of toys and action figures, all from my personal archives and collection. Take a look every weekend or two for new items added.

http://stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles

Convention Dates of Note

Anime North – Toronto, Canada – May 27-29, 2016

Please join Palladium Books in the gaming hall where we’ll be selling Rifts®, Robotech®, Robotech® RPG Tactics™ and many other gaming products as well as displaying a wide range of artwork, running a few RRT demos and maybe even a role-playing game or two. Greg Diaczyk, Wayne Smith, Charles Walton II and a few other Palladium creators will be present to chat, sign books and enjoy some fun and games in Toronto with you. Oh, and Chuck and I will also be part of several panel discussions. Check the online schedule. Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

http://www.animenorth.com

Gen Con Indy – Indianapolis, Indiana – August 4-7, 2016

Gen Con is big, fun and awesome. If you are attending, please stop by the Palladium Books booth. We will be there with new and old RPG titles, Robotech® RPG Tactics™, and original art and collectibles for sale. Palladium creators are happy to chat with fans, sign your books, and have a blast.

Palladium Creators at the 2016 Gen Con:

And maybe a couple others to be added.

http://www.gencon.com

GrandCon – Grand Rapids, Michigan – September 16, 17 & 18, 2016

Looking for a nice medium-sized convention of around 2,000 gamers? Then consider GrandCon in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s only about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Westland, and even closer for folks living in Livonia, Plymouth, Novi, and cities farther west. Ideal for any Michiganders and gamers living in Illinois, Indiana and maybe even Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.

I (Kevin Siembieda) am a guest along with Sean Patrick Fannon, co-author of Savage Rifts® for the Savage Worlds game system, and many other guests. Sean and I will be doing panels about Savage Rifts® and role-playing game design, world building and running gaming events (I’ll probably run Lord DeSilca), and Palladium Books will have a few tables in the dealers’ room manned by Wayne Smith and Charles Walton II (with artwork for sale). All of us will be present to chat with gamers and sign books. I am thrilled to have a rapidly growing game convention like GrandCon in western Michigan, and they have even bigger plans for 2017. Michiganders, help support this convention. We need and deserve a large gaming convention in our state.

http://www.grand-con.com

Closing thoughts ...

Thank goodness everyone appears to be on the road to recovery. I hope we all stay that way. However, Ben Rodriguez popped by a couple days in a row to work on art for CS Heroes of Humanity™ (a gorgeous illustration depicting Skelebots battling a Deevil Horror), and he has some hideous cough and hoarse voice that will not go away. He’s had it for weeks now. I sure hope none of us catch what he has. Yikes.

Continuing to work on many different fronts. Place your pre-orders for CS Heroes of Humanity™ and other upcoming titles. Spread the word about the Savage Rifts® Kickstarter, April 26, 2016; it is well worth it. Our best to the hardworking stiffs at Pinnacle for bringing Rifts® to a new group of gamers with the Savage Worlds rules. Keep those imaginations burning bright.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer, Game Designer

Coalition States Heroes of Humanity

NEW! Rifts® Secrets of the Coalition States – Heroes of Humanity – May

In final production! Rifts® Heroes of Humanity™ is the next chapter in the epic war for the soul of humanity.

A call to arms! The Minion War has spilled onto Rifts Earth. At the epicenter of the invasion is North America. If either of the two rival demonic forces succeeds in conquering the continent, the rest of the world shall follow and Earth will become an annex of Hell. The demon hordes believe no one can stop them. The Coalition States has something to say about that.

For the first time in history, the Coalition States, Northern Gun, the Manistique Imperium, Lazlo, New Lazlo, Free Quebec, the Cyber-Knights, Lemurians, True Atlanteans, D-Bees, mages, mercs and many, many others stand together against a common enemy. Meanwhile, the Splugorth of Atlantis, Archie Three, the Republicans and the Vanguard engage in their own shadow war against the invading demon hordes, and each other.

Heroes of Humanity Arsenal

NEW! Secrets of the Coalition States: Heroes of Humanity Arsenal Sourcebook – Spring

The name, CS Heroes of Humanity™ Arsenal says it all. New Coalition armor, power armor, robots, combat vehicles, and related material.

NEW! Rifts® Haunted Tech – Summer

The Republicans decide to make their move while Archie Three is waging his own shadow war against the demonic invaders. The result unleashes a menace Archie has kept contained and locked away for 300 years. And he is not happy about it.

Rifts The Disavowed

Rifts® Secrets of the Coalition States: The Disavowed™ – Summer

“Desperate times require desperate measures. War has nothing to do with morality or justice. It’s all about winning or dying. We cannot bind our hands with high ideals, even our own, or worry about the laws of renegade nations or the rights of alien people. We must fight fire with fire. And you are the match.” – Colonel Lyboc addressing a Disavowed team

The Disavowed are so Top Secret that their existence is known only to a handful of the Coalition States’ most elite, top echelon, with Joseph Prosek II the mastermind behind the Disavowed operation, and Colonel Lyboc its shadowy face. Find out who these men and women are. How the Disavowed get away with using magic, traveling to other parts of Rifts Earth and even to other dimensions in pursuit of enemies and strategic information that cannot be had through conventional means. Learn about the secret parameters in which these hard-boiled warriors, secretly hand-picked by Joseph Prosek II, operate, why almost every mission is considered a suicide mission, and why they must forever be the Disavowed.

NEW! The Rifter® #74 – Ships Spring

Half to two-thirds of The Rifter® #74 is “official” source material for Rifts®, Splicers® and more, plus news and coming attractions.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready-to-go source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines. And don’t forget, most of the material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

The Rifter® #74 – Spring, 2016:

The Rifter #73

NEW! The Rifter® #73 – Available now!

For the first time ever, the entire issue of The Rifter® #73 is “official” source material for Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Splicers® and Dead Reign®, plus news, coming attractions and more. It is a great way to kickoff Palladium’s 35 Year Anniversary.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready-to-go source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines. And don’t forget, most of the material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

Rifter® #73 Highlights:

NEW! Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans – Summer

True Atlanteans are descendants from Earth’s past. The survivors of the sinking of Atlantis (really a dimensional mishap) and travelers of the Megaverse, wielders of Tattoo Magic and other lost mystic arts. Most people regard them as heroes, but are they? The Sunaj Assassins are mythic villains feared by all, yet they too are True Atlanteans who serve dark forces.

For the first time, much of the story behind True Atlanteans and their secrets are revealed.

The Rifter #73

BACK IN PRINT: Island at the Edge of the World

A Palladium Fantasy RPG® Sourcebook – available now

Island at the Edge of the World™ is back in print as a short run, special printing. This is the original Palladium RPG® sourcebook VI that utilizes First Edition rules. That said, it is very easy to adapt for use with Second Edition rules.

Island at the Edge of the World™ reveals some of the little known history of the Palladium World, the Time of a Thousand Magicks, the Changeling Inquisition, and dark secrets that could threaten the world. Learn about forgotten Crystal Magic (as powerful as Rune Weapons), the Church of Scar, the legendary Circle of Absolute Elemental Power and frightening prophecies about the end of the world.

Garden of the Gods – a Palladium Fantasy RPG® Sourcebook – Summer

This has been a secret project of Kevin Siembieda’s that he has been plotting and writing in what little spare time he has. The Garden of the Gods is said to be a holy place watched over and even frequented by the avatars of the gods. According to legend, the god may visit heroes and followers in dreams or in person by an avatar of the god, to be given guidance, inspiration, heroic quests, and gifts of knowledge and magic. More details about this title will follow.

Hell Followed – A Dead Reign® Zombie Apocalypse Sourcebook

At 160 pages, Hell Followed™ is the largest Dead Reign® sourcebook yet. Spring or Summer release. Can you survive the Zombie Apocalypse? Find out by playing Dead Reign®. The results may surprise you.

Rifts® Chaos Earth® Sourcebook: First Responders – Summer

The Great Cataclysm has devastated civilization, but humanity fights for survival. The struggles of civilian law enforcement, fire and rescue, and everyday men and women are some of the most epic tales to be told in a world gone to hell. They fight monsters, aliens, the paranormal, the elements, and each other, all with the hope of reclaiming their lives from the Chaos.

Robotech RPG Tactics

Robotech® RPG Tactics Wave Two is coming ...

– but you can get started with the core box set and Wave One expansions right now

If you love Robotech®, you want to take a look at this game. Beautifully detailed game pieces of your favorite Robotech® mecha, and fast playing rules that capture the Robotech® experience in a new, exciting way. And this is just the beginning. We have so much more planned for the years ahead.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ "Starter Box" (Main Box Game) – Cat. No. 55100 – $99.95 retail price. This is the game Robotech® fans have wanted for decades. Robotech® RPG Tactics™ is a fast-paced, tabletop combat game that captures the action and adventure of the Robotech® anime. Two or more players can engage in small squad skirmishes or scale up to massive battles. Relive the clashes of the First Robotech War, engage in stand-alone tactical games, or use the dynamic game pieces to enhance your Robotech® RPG experience. Or simply collect your favorite mecha from an expanding range of top-notch game pieces. Get yours now, so you can build your armies and have them ready when Wave Two is released.

The First Six Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Expansion Packs are available to retail along with the main box game. Here are the SKUs and retail prices:

DriveThruRPG

Palladium PDF Books – download from DriveThruRPG.com

This is a great resource for getting out of print Palladium titles and other select books. We’ve made more than 100 PDF products available for digital download from DriveThruRPG.com, as well as Fantasy Paper Miniatures, Game Master resources and other good things with more to come. This is a great way to try Palladium products and get access to out of print RPG source material. Some notable titles include:

Schedule of Upcoming Releases

Also coming:

Upcoming Palladium Books® Convention Events

Palladium Books does not have to be an exhibitor at a convention or be counted among the guests to support that convention. We are happy to support events running Palladium games with prizes for best players, other swag, and donations to charity auctions. If you are a Game Master running Palladium gaming events, or a convention hosting them, PLEASE contact Palladium Books via the Help Desk or the Megaversal Ambassadors, or call the Palladium offices to get our support. Just give us plenty of advance notice so we can confirm the conventions and the Palladium gaming events, determine the swag and ship it out. Plus we are glad to promote conventions and gaming events right here in the Weekly Updates. Below are just some of the conventions hosting Palladium game events this year.

Kevin Siembieda and Charles Walton II are guests at the 2016 Anime North. A few other Canadian Palladium creators may also be in attendance at the Palladium booth in the gaming hall. Anime North is one of the largest and longest running anime conventions in North America, with 26,000+ in attendance in 2016. The range of special guests, voice talent and cosplay is amazing. If you are attending Anime North, please drop by the booth to say hello or sit in on any of Kevin’s panel talks about game design, licensing and Hollywood, writing, world building and others. We love this event and highly recommend it. Tickets sell out fast, so order yours and book a hotel room immediately.

© Copyright 2016 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.

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