Palladium Books® Weekly Update – December 13, 2012

By Kevin Siembieda

It has been a good week. A lot is getting done and there has been good cheer around the Palladium offices.

Matthew Clements and Carmen Bellaire both dropped by yesterday. Mark Dudley last week. I spoke with artist Amy Ashbaugh this morning, Mike Mumah yesterday, and Mike Leonard and Doug Lamberson earlier in the week. I exchanged emails with Ramon Perez, Mike Wilson, Kent Burles, that Mumah guy again, and other people near and dear to me.

On a personal note, my doctor gave me high marks on my health and management of my diabetes. I have wrapped, packaged and shipped what feels like a zillion Christmas presents to family, friends and freelancers. I do so because I like to show my appreciation to as many people as I can this time of year. For those who may be interested, I talk about my growing up poor, gift-giving and the holidays in a Murmur from the Megaverse® entitled, Oh, oh, Christmas is around the corner.

We’ve been fielding a lot of telephone calls about product, Christmas orders and Surprise Packages. In fact, there was a point this morning when all the telephone lines were lit up and I had to take a call. I spoke to a gent on the East Coast named Dennis. He wanted to know the status of upcoming releases. He was surprised and happy to hear Robotech® Genesis Pits™ ships tomorrow (or Monday), and was glad to learn Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook was in production and that Northern Gun™ One and Two would follow quickly thereafter. Like many of you, he collects a little bit of every line we produce.

I also wrote a Distributor’s Update, and I worked to keep everything moving forward. Meanwhile, I’ve been paying bills, assigning artwork, drawing up contracts and doing a lot of other things, including writing!

UPDATE: Robotech®: The Genesis Pits Sourcebook

Our printer tells me there has been a slight delay in their bindery so they are not sure if Robotech® Genesis Pits™ is on schedule to arrive at the Palladium warehouse tomorrow, Friday, December 14, or whether it will be Monday, December 17. We’ve already processed orders and prepped for shipping, so whichever day Robotech® Genesis Pits™ arrives, it will ship to everyone who has pre-ordered it. Get your orders in today! This is an awesome sourcebook.

Back in Print and Available now

Aliens Unlimited™, Wolfen Empire™ and Rifts® Japan are all back in the Palladium warehouse and ready to ship. See their full description elsewhere in this Update.

UPDATE: The Rifter® #61

Wayne Smith has finalized his selections for The Rifter® #61 and I’ve already assigned half the artwork. I’ll be assigning the rest of the artwork for it later this evening. I’ll also be assigning some work to Mike Mumah, Nick Bradshaw and other artists for various upcoming releases.

UPDATE: Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook

This puppy continues to come along nicely. I can hardly wait till it is finished and in your hands. Worked on it less than I’d like this week, but I’ve been working on it every day.

UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun One

Chuck is supposed to be dropping off the last of his work for this project tonight or tomorrow. I think this book is going to make a lot of Rifts® fans happy. Plus the robots and vehicles can be dropped into other Mega-Damage settings like Robotech® and Phase World®/Three Galaxies™ without modification.

Advance Preview of Rifts® Northern Gun One on DriveThruRPG.com

People are loving the Rifts® Northern Gun™ One advance preview as we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on it. It’s up on DriveThruRPG.com as a FREE download. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out. It’s a fun teaser. There are FREE sneak previews of other Palladium titles as well.

DriveThruRPG.com is a way to get out of print and first edition RPGs as PDFs, as well as a way to preview upcoming releases and select titles before you make your purchase. Palladium’s new, FREE PDF, 48 page, color catalog is also available from DriveThruRPG.com. The print edition of the catalog (in black and white) is available upon request and dropped into most mail orders and Christmas Surprise Packages.

DriveThruRPG.com is also your place to get PDFs of older products and sneak previews of upcoming books. Many back issues of The Rifter® are available on DriveThruRPG.com (issues #1-52), as are more than 90 out of print titles such as Rifts®, BTS™ and Palladium Fantasy® first edition rule books and sourcebooks. A sneak preview of Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook should also be coming soon. We have not forgotten about 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.

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). Of course, there are FREE Sneak Previews of Rifts® Black Market, Endless Dead™, Rifts® Lemuria, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™, and Thundercloud Galaxy™, as well as 90+ out of print 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: Online Sales

This week is shaping up to be our biggest week of sales for the year, thanks to the holidays and the Christmas Surprise Package special. Sales remain red hot. You still have time to order your Surprise Package and get it for Christmas! See below for details.

It ENDS December 24th – the Christmas Surprise Package offer ends December 24, 2012

If you’ve been planning to get a Palladium Christmas Surprise Package in time for Christmas, you had better do it SOON, because time is running out. Spread the word, remind your gaming buddies, and if you’ve been trying to decide whether or not to get one . . . YES. Order today. Provide a nice, long Wish List of currently available books (12+ items) and I guarantee you will be delighted with your Surprise Package.

The best bargain of the holidays: A Palladium Christmas Surprise Package

Placing your Surprise Package order involves you sending Santa Kevin a “Wish List” of 10-12 different in-stock products and a flat payment (+ shipping and handling). I then hand-pick items from that Wish List and I may include product you didn’t ask for (hence the nickname, “X-Mas Grab Bag”), but all things I think you’ll enjoy, and we ship it all off to you. Gamers have been loving this special offer for 14 or 15 years now. Order one or several for yourself and for your gaming buddies. For the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or just to get cool stuff and signatures. Get all the information from the description in the online store.

Click here for complete details and to place your order.

Christmas Surprise Package offer ends December 24, 2012

Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store

And we continue to add and sell Palladium collectibles, action figures, publications and other collectibles in my online store. Take a look, there may be some items that are perfect as holiday gifts.

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

The Palladium Family grows

Everyone is having babies. My daughter, Monica, this past July, my pal, Brandon Aten, in October, and now my friends, Becky and Doug Lamberson. Becky and Doug enjoyed the arrival of Maya Louise this week. Congratulations from everyone at Palladium Books. Now make sure she grows up right, i.e. a science fiction, comic book and fantasy loving gaming gal. ;)

Are you ready for Christmas?

I’m happy to report that I am. I’ve even wrapped 95% of my gifts (and there were many), I’ve already shipped out most of the packages that need to go in the mail, and I’m as ready as I’m going to be for the Palladium Christmas Party this Friday evening. We’re expecting a bunch of the local guys to show up to join the fun too (Mark, Ben, Matt, Jeff, Chuck). Don’t worry, we’ll put in a full day’s work first and I’ll be back writing away this weekend. :)

Happy Holidays to one and all! Happy Hanukkah to the many gamers celebrating it right now. Everyone, please, have a safe and wonderful holiday season filled with love and laughter.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer and Surrogate Santa

X-Mas Grab Bags

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

As Christmas approaches we’ve been signing, packing, and shipping a vast quantity of Christmas Surprise Packages. Many of them include brief season greetings, well wishes, suggestions and comments. I like to share some them with you in these Weekly Updates as a way to acknowledge our fans, and because they are fun to read, so here is this week’s sampling.

Your brief comments, suggestions and support mean a lot to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoys reading your comments. They always brighten our day. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made 2012 a very good year for Palladium. Keep those imaginations burning bright, have a joyous holiday season and game on.

M.D. in Melbourne, Australia, writes: Thanks again for this awesome Christmas Grab Bag. It’s my third year ordering and it always brightens my holiday season opening the box not knowing what might lie inside. I’m looking forward to another year of awesome releases. Hopefully including Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook and Megaverse® in Flames™. Cheers to you all, and keep up the great work.

J.H. in Snellville, Georgia, writes: After being given Dead Reign™ from you guys in a previous Surprise Package, I love it. I own all of them now and will buy new ones as they are created. I have played Rifts® since the 1990s. It is my favorite game ever.

M.M. in Phoenix, Arizona, writes: I look forward to many more years of fun and really appreciate the memories and enjoyment that your games have provided me while growing up.

Z.K. in Grand Junction, Colorado, writes: I love the creativity and work you all put into your games/art/products/everything. Thank you for caring about your products and customers.

F.U. in Glonn, Germany, writes: Christmas isn’t Christmas without your Grab Bags! Keep up the great work. Kevin, you are the last of the great game designers and you just keep going. Kudos! I love your work.

S.J. in Washington, DC, writes: Thanks again for offering this opportunity to get some great items and support the greatest RPG company in the Megaverse®!

M.V. in Albany, Oregon, writes: I have been playing Robotech® since 1986. I have every sourcebook from that era, and I’m very excited to see and hear you are writing new material for Robotech®. I have enjoyed those books immensely over the years and through the hundreds of stories I’ve told with them.

R.R. in Milledgeville, Georgia, writes: Can’t wait for the Vampires Sourcebook. Thanks and keep up the great work!

J.K. in St. Louis, Missouri, writes: I’ve been getting the Grab Bag for many years now and it has always been wonderful. It’s the best gift anyone could ask for . . . well, aside from the release of new Palladium Fantasy books that is.

T.M. in Richmond, Kentucky, writes (in part): As always thanks for making such a great game. One that has given me so many wonderful memories over the years. I can honestly say there is so little I would change. It would be awesome if you were able to make a book for G.M.s filled with helpful tips.

E.M. in Miami, Florida, writes: I’m loving this deal! My small group is quite excited about Rifts® now. And I’ve become a big kid about the RPG as well. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

T.S. in Ingelheim, Germany, writes: I just got my first Palladium game a week ago and I am an absolute newcomer with your product lines.

J.B. in Caldwell, Idaho, writes: Santa Kevin, I hope all of you at Palladium Books have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for not wavering on quality and trying to always improve.

From Kevin Siembieda & staff to all of you. M.D., count on seeing the Vampires Sourcebook, NG 1 & 2, and Megaverse® in Flames SOON. M.M., I’m so happy we have given you good memories of gaming. To S.J. and others, your high praise makes me blush. Thanks to everyone for the kind words and well wishes. Happy holidays. :) – Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium Crew

Robotech Genesis Pits Sourcebook

Robotech® Genesis Pits Sourcebook – Ships December 14, 2012

We are expecting it tomorrow. If there is a delay, it will only be till Monday. All pre-orders have top priority and ship the day we receive the book. This is a truly epic sourcebook that takes an in-depth look at the Invid Genesis Pits, their purpose, function, the mutants and monsters they unleash and the dangers they pose for non-Invid. It is jam-packed with never before seen source material, mutations, mutation tables (so you can generate your own Genesis Pit monsters and characters) and more.

Aliens Unlimited

BACK IN PRINT: Aliens Unlimited

A sourcebook for Heroes Unlimited

Aliens Unlimited™ brings alien beings to your Earth-based Heroes Unlimited™ setting and enables you to take your Earth heroes to alien worlds. This sourcebook has everything you need to launch an alien based campaign or galactic adventures, or introduce alien invaders, villains, heroes and campaign ideas.

Aliens Unlimited™ also makes the perfect resource and companion to Thundercloud Galaxy™ or any of the Rifts® Dimension Books™ and the Minion War™ series. Looking for some new space aliens, villains and monsters to add to your Thundercloud Galaxy™ or Minion War™ campaign? Need some unique Splugorth slaves? Demon henchmen? Take a look at Aliens Unlimited™ (and the Aliens Unlimited™ Galaxy Guide™ companion sourcebook); easy to adapt.

Wolfen Empire

BACK IN PRINT: Wolfen Empire

A sourcebook for Palladium Fantasy RPG®

Back in print! This juicy adventure-sourcebook is authored by Erick Wujcik, Kevin Siembieda and Bill Coffin. It presents a comprehensive background and history of the Wolfen Empire, the Wolfen tribes, their military and their plans for the future. It also includes several adventures, strange animals, random encounter tables and more. Wolfen Empire is a fan favorite, and one of Erick Wujcik’s last published role-playing works.

Rifts Japan

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® World Book 8: Rifts® Japan

This fan-favorite sourcebook is filled with high-tech wonders, magic and monsters. There are 20 O.C.C.s (Occupational Character Classes) that range from the traditional ninja and samurai to power armor, giant robots and cyborgs.

Rifts Vampires Sourcebook

Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook – Coming Next!

In final production right now!

Deep within Mexico 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. In final production right now with art and text coming in and final editing and writing in progress.

Rifts Black Market Gold Hardcover

Rifts® Black Market Hardcover

Gold Contraband Edition – Available now!

Everything you want to know about the Black Market of Rifts® North America presented inside a pair of gorgeous black leatherette covers. Gold foil embossing on front cover and spine. Historically, gold collector editions only increase in value on the collector’s market, and often quickly. This is the lowest number of a Collector’s Gold Edition that Palladium has ever printed.

Rifts Black Market

Rifts® Black Market – Softcover Edition – Available now

See what everyone is talking about and order yours today. Rifts® Black Market™ is an epic, 192 page sourcebook that contains a wealth of information about the inner workings of the Black Market, the Five Factions, new Bandito Arms/Black Market weapons and gear, how to make any O.C.C. a Black Marketeer, special abilities of the Black Marketeer, criminal enterprises, Black Market loans, merc and crime jobs, and much more. This book has it all. AND best of all, a lot of it can be easily adapted to just about any world setting, not just Rifts Earth.

Rifts Northern Gun One

Rifts® World Book 33: Northern Gun One

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

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

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.

‘Tis the season for zombies! Dead Reign Zombie RPG.

Everyone I’ve ever talked to who has tried this game loves it, especially if they had a thing for post-apocalyptic games and zombies to begin with. Fans of zombies, horror and apocalyptic settings really should give this RPG a try. – Kevin Siembieda

Dead Reign RPG

Dead Reign RPG – ideal introductory role-playing game

Think you know zombies? Think again.

Can you survive in a world where the dead have risen and feed upon the living? Battle zombies, mad men and death cultists in a post-apocalyptic where world the last of humanity struggles to survive.

Dead Reign™ RPG is the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse. Civilization is gone, the dead reign, and the living fight to survive against impossible odds. Tales of zombies, human survival and horror as a fast-paced, easy to learn game and sourcebooks.

Civilization Gone

Civilization Gone – Dead Reign Sourcebook One

It has been months since the dead rose to attack the living. Civilization has crumbled. There is no army, no government, no help coming. You are on your own and things are only getting worse.

Dark Places

Dark Places – Dead Reign Sourcebook Two

Secrets of survival, including using railroad tracks and the urban underground to travel unseen and undetected by zombies.

Endless Dead

Endless Dead – Dead Reign Sourcebook Three

The zombie hordes grow in number and strangeness. Can humankind survive? Where is the military?

Back in Print and Great Gift Ideas

The Rifter #50

The Rifter® #50, Anniversary Special – Available NOW! – back in print due to popular demand

You might think of The Rifter® #50 as a special “all-star” anniversary issue with official source material for Rifts®, Heroes Unlimited™, Nightbane® and many other Palladium RPG settings.

The Rifter® #50 includes:

Rifts Logo T-Shirt

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® Logo T-Shirts in most sizes – available now

We’ve been asked over and over again to re-issue the popular Rifts® Logo T-shirt in sizes other than XL. We heard your requests, and here you go. Order yours today.

● The full Rifts® logo as created by artist Kevin Long, printed in white on a black T-shirt.

● Sizes Small to 5XL.

● 100% cotton – our usual quality T-shirt.

● Prices vary according to size:
Small: $18.95
Medium: $18.95
Large: $18.95
X-Large: $18.95
2XL: $20.95
3XL: $22.95
4XL: $24.95
5XL: $26.95

● Cat. No. TS804

● And don’t forget other fun T-Shirt designs like . . .

Rifts Dice Bag - Black

Rifts® Dice Bag

– Back in print – Available now

Everyone at Palladium has a Rifts® Dice Bag, shouldn’t you? It is a good size, sturdy, drawstring bag made of imitation black velvet emblazoned with the famous Rifts® logo in gold.

Other Notable Products

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

Back in Print – Available Now

What’s to come?

The following are in development:

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

Upcoming Appearances

Anime North – May 24-26, 2013 – Toronto, Canada

Speaking of which, have I mentioned that I will be one of the guests at Anime North in Toronto next year? Well, I will. The event takes place Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, 2013. This will be my first time back at a convention in Canada in something like 15 years. Too long. www.animenorth.com

Gen Con® Indy – August 15-18, 2013 – Indianapolis, Indiana

Oh yeah, we can hardly wait for Gen Con next year. We may even need to expand the size of our booth.

Note: No Palladium Open House in 2013 and right now, there are no plans for one in 2014.

© 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.