Christmas season is coming up on us fast. At Palladium, that means focusing on finishing books for release by year’s end, plotting the first four months of 2010 releases and pounding out Christmas Surprise Packages that will make the recipients grin with delight.
Dead Reign™ Sourcebook Two: Dark Places™ is in final production. Wayne has started typesetting and layout, and the book should go to the printer on Monday. It is a pretty wild and fun ride. I tried to write most of it from the first person view of Brad Ashley with the intent of really pulling the reader/gamer into the world. This helps create a distinct and scary atmosphere (I hope). After getting Alex’s and Wayne’s feedback, this may be the darkest, most gritty book I’ve ever written – but in a compelling, “ick, but I can’t put it down” kind of way.
Players reading it should literally find new avenues of travel and adventure. In other places they’ll grit their teeth and hope they never have to encounter X, Y or Z.
By contrast, Game Masters should read the same material and chuckle with malicious glee as they consider all the fiendish ways they can use the new material to create exciting adventures and torment their players.
Alex believes I’ve covered several subjects that are seldom given much, if any, attention in zombie settings. That’s cool, because my goal is to take the Dead Reign™ setting to a new level, and go places with it that have seldom been explored by others. I love giving game settings twists that make them feel new and original. Especially settings that most people think they already know well. I hope I’ve succeeded in doing that with this sourcebook and others to come. As for Wayne, he has forbidden me to ever write about bugs again. Yeah, like that will happen.
I’ve also had several freelancers, friends and fans tell me they think all of us are creating some of the most dynamic and exciting RPG products ever. Wow, that’s a tall order, but you know what, that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to accomplish the last few years. Certainly the ideas are flowing. Just other day I had to stop signing Grab Bags and run to my office to make notes on a new idea for a Mysteries of Magic™ sourcebook. Something someone said got my mind going and I had to write it down before I forgot. I’ve had one freelancer turn in work on Shadow Magic and I’ve others working on several epic new projects. I for one can hardly wait until we start unleashing more books by Braden Campbell, what an imagination.
I expect to get back to work on Rifts® Dimensional Outbreak by Monday. My goal is to get it to the printer as soon as possible and in your hands before Christmas. I’m shooting to get Heroes of the Megaverse® out before year’s end too, but no promises.
Henry Siembieda progress report. My Dad had his last chemotherapy treatment this past Wednesday. The doctor seems very positive, but we won’t know anything until February when my Dad goes in for his follow-up exam. That’s when we’ll find out if the cancer is gone or back (and how bad). As I’ve mentioned before, my Dad tends to worry, so it is hard for him to keep a positive attitude, but he’s trying hard. Still, his mortality must be on his mind, because he gave me a batch of his most precious and personal photographs so I have them after he dies. Sheesh. I’ll need to work on keeping his spirits buoyed.
For the moment at least, things seem to be under control with Arlene, my Dad’s roommate, friend and co-caretaker.
Online sales were pretty darn good this week. Not as high as some, but definitely strong. People seem to be buying a little bit of everything, from new and old game product to T-shirts, baseball caps and art prints, and of course, Christmas Surprise Packages.
The Queen of Ghouls is rocking! As most of you know, Palladium’s very own Kathy Simmons started her own part-time business this summer. She calls herself the Queen of Ghouls (inspired by the nickname I gave her some years back), and she makes her amazing, life-sized Halloween props for sale. They are sturdy and gorgeous in that monstrous kind of way.
Anyway, sales dried up as Halloween got closer, which baffled all of us. HOWEVER, starting the day after Halloween she has sold SEVEN ghouls and TWO Scarecrows, plus has gotten inquiries about several others, was flooded with praise from people who had purchased some, and numerous people asked if she’d be posting new ghouls soon, because they’d like to purchase more throughout the year to spread out the cost. She even had two customers tell her they planned on ordering another five or six by next Halloween and were interested in her Christmas props. Congratulations, Kathy!
Kathy is also making seasonal creations that are not ghouls, like Happy Scarecrows that can be displayed any time of the year, Christmas Scarecrows (cuter than heck), Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and . . . well you’ll just have to check out her creations at her Queen of Ghouls eBay store in the weeks to come. Oh, and I’m told that many of her ghouls coming up for next year will be more gory and monstrous (which is what people keep asking for), and will include more zombies, killer clowns, vampires and other fiends that go bump in the night.
– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher & Writer
No news to report on that front this soon, but there seems to be a growing excitement in the air about Rifts®, Nightbane®, Dead Reign™ and Palladium Fantasy® as well as other Palladium products. It would sure be nice to have Palladium’s I.P.s branch out into other mediums. Wayne and I were just talking about what a great videogame or MMOG Nightbane® would make. Mark Freedman of Surge Comic Properties Licensing and Ninja Turtles® marketing fame is Palladium’s agent.
No news to report on that front either, although there seems to be continuing interest, so hang loose and stay tuned.
As reported in the last Press Release, Kevin Siembieda is being flown out to give a seminar on writing and world building at world renowned Blizzard Entertainment – the company behind World of Warcraft, Starcraft and countless popular videogames. He’s pretty pumped up about the trip. Should be fun.
Santa Kevin recommended in a Murmur that people start thinking about Christmas Surprise Packages as gifts for friends, family, and favorite Game Masters before December. Making a purchase in November should help spread the cost of Christmas out a bit and help financially. Furthermore, if the requests for books in the wish list is structured right, you could get a Palladium product for 3-4 different people, or one whopper of a gift for one person. Just suggestions. And don’t forget, there is original art available this year from one-of-a-kind sketches to some published art, and the special, limited edition print set. Our goal is to make your Christmas season Palladium fabulous.
The Christmas Surprise Package is ideal for Canada and Overseas Palladium fans, because even with shipping they are paying around the cover price for books, plus getting autographs and other goodies. We highly recommend folks overseas try to take advantage of this opportunity.
Christmas is only SEVEN WEEKS away.
For more information and to order, click here.
L.G. in West Valley City, Utah, writes: No game world has such depth and breadth of plot and substance. Keep up the great work! I love the Minion War! Here’s to Rifts® on the Big Screen and all the people that will one day fall in love with the Palladium Megaverse®. God Bless you guys, Kevin and your father this Christmas and holiday season. See you at Open House 2010!
V.B. in Ridgecrest, California, writes: Please keep putting out your books. I love the Rifts® universe and look forward to all the new and exciting things you guys come up with. Have been a fan since high school way back in 1994. Keep the Megaverse® alive and growing.
R.O. in Derby, Kansas, writes: My Palladium books have always meant a lot to me. I admit I stopped playing. I guess I stopped because I got too grown up. At least that’s probably what I thought. Newborn child, new wife, and a new life. Well, now I’m older and with some heart issues and I find that I need to relax and want to have fun again. I’ve starting playing with my old friends and having a great time.
H.H. in Oberursel, Hess, Germany, writes: Gentlemen, you do great work. Keep on doing it. Palladium games are among the finest out there, unrivaled in constancy of content, quality and love put in the design, support and Gamer to Gamer contact. May Palladium always stay in business and you all stay in good health and humour! A merry Christmas to you and your families.
K.V. in Jupiter, Florida, writes: Dear Siembieda Claus, I think back to all the friendships I have made over the years (19 and counting) that Palladium has helped to forge, and I just want to say, thank you. Thank you for bringing the gift of imagination and a means with which to bring it to life. You have united freaks, geeks, jocks, goths, preps, strangers, friends and families under the radiant glow of “The Megaverse®.” Best wishes to you and yours.
(Our thanks to everyone who has been sending us their warm wishes and kind words of encouragement. – Kevin Siembieda)
A creepy expansion of the grim and gruesome world of Dead Reign, the Zombie Apocalypse. This sourcebook presents more insight to the world and the people, monsters and horror in it. There are additional resources, hiding places, modes of travel, and ways to avoid zombies, as well as adventure ideas, new zombies, new dangers and many fun random tables.
When there is no place to hide and the dead are everywhere, where do you go? Who can you turn to? What happens next? What lurks in dark places?
Author Carl Gleba has created another masterpiece brimming with ideas, new demons, new Deevils, new whacked out spaceships, new magic spells, more about Phase World, Center, the escalating Minion War and much more. Dimensional Outbreak™ is another exciting and surprise filled book in the Minion War™ series as war spills into Phase World®, the city of Center and the Three Galaxies™. The epic scale of the Minion War just got bigger and even the Worlds of Warlock, the Splugorth and Naruni are involved.
Most agree the Book of Heroes is one of the greatest magic artifacts in the Megaverse. Only one copy is known to exist, and everyone wants to get their hands on it – Demons, Deevils, the Splugorth, the Dominators, the Kreeghor, the United Worlds of Warlock and everyone in between. For it is said that he who wields the “Power of the 2000" can rule the universe.
Once protected by the Cosmo-Knights, the book has gone missing. No one knows its fate or the true power contained within its List of Heroes. No one except YOU – the new keepers of this legendary Rune book.
The core rule book you need to play. Second printing. This is the game that has restarted it all.
Jason Marker is done writing this exciting new Robotech® sourcebook. Next step is a quick edit and sending it off to Harmony Gold for their approval. This is another sourcebook jam-packed with new O.C.C.s, mecha, weapons, gear, and ideas to send your characters on amazing new adventures.
The horror issue has shipped. Pre-orders were a bit higher than usual, so this might be one of those issues that sells out faster than most. It is certainly packed with adventure, monsters and fun role-playing source material.
The Rifter® is your doorway to unlimited imagination and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. It offers new heroes, powers, weapons, magic and adventure for your games. It presents new villains, monsters and dangers to battle, and new ideas to consider.
The Heart of Magic™ is packed with new information, details and new insight about magic, P.P.E., the Palladium World, Men of Magic, Wizards, Warlocks, Priests, Familiars, true names, apprenticeship, scroll conversion, learning magic, new and different magic O.C.C.s, new Wizard and Warlock spells, and data that expands, defines and clarifies a number of aspects about the practice of magic in the Palladium Fantasy setting. Easy to adapt to Rifts® (just change S.D.C. damage to M.D. and you are ready to go).
Old Ones™ is back in print as a special printing available exclusively via Palladium’s online store.
Old Ones™ is an epic sourcebook packed full of information, people, places and ideas. Details about the Old Ones, the Minotaur R.C.C. (an ancient minion of the Old Ones), the Monk Scholar and Illusionist, 50 cities and towns mapped and described, adventure ideas and the epic Place of Magic adventure.
Wayne Smith has made the Palladium area of DriveThruRPG.com more functional and easy to use. Major game lines are now separated into categories making it easier to find the titles you want. Currently there are 90+ Palladium titles available as PDF digital downloads from DriveThruRPG.com.
Many are out of print Palladium book titles including the 1981 The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy, the 1985 The Mechanoids® RPG, the infamous Valley of the Pharaohs RPG, the original Rifts® RPG, Rifts® Coalition Wars®: Siege on Tolkeen™ series (also available as pen and paper books), Nightbane® Book Four: Shadows of Light™, the original Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG (with Erick Wujcik’s victims rules), Boxed Nightmares™ for BTS First Edition, the Palladium Fantasy RPG® 1st Edition and sourcebooks, the Palladium Weapon series, The Rifter® #1-40 (many still available from Palladium), Deluxe Revised RECON® RPG and Advanced RECON® Sourcebook and other titles.
Check them out and get those books you’ve always heard about.
© Copyright 2009 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
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.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Beyond the Supernatural, Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, The Three Galaxies, Warpath, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.