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| CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF RPG FUN – ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE |
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| | Loads of News – Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – March 26, 2026 |
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| As we celebrate the past 45 years with the museum exhibit and a Weekend Conversation with me, Kevin Siembieda, next month, Sean and I have been busy planning the future of Palladium Books. A future that starts with the next several books and crowdfunding campaigns that you will love. |
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| – DONE! Island at the Edge of the World, 2nd Edition (Fantasy) is going to the printer next week. The layout is complete and the finished book is getting a final proofread. I forgot how fun and wild this adventure sourcebook is. That Life Force Mage is scary. The sourcebook has been updated to 2nd Edition rules, has updated artwork, and has been remastered and tweaked for a better experience. $24.99 – 144 pages – Cat. No. 458 – it will be added to the online store at the end of April after it arrives from the printer. |
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| – Coming Soon! A Rifts® Phase World® Sourcebook crowdfunder from Star Anvil, and it’s epic. The new products are designed for the Rifts Savage Worlds rules, but the expanded galactic setting information, new characters, weapons, spacecraft, and adventures are all easy to adapt to any Palladium Rifts/Phase World campaign. Sean and I have been working closely with Star Anvil to make sure it’s all true to the Phase World and the Three Galaxies canon – which has been easy because Star Anvil’s creative force are dedicated fans. The art and writing is up to the standards of a Palladium Books or Pinnacle Entertainment product. Follow this project now so you don’t miss out when the Kickstarter launches (soon!). |
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| | – Coming this Spring! Rifts® Bestiary Volume Two is in the final stages of completion and should be a summer release. |
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| – Coming! Yin-Sloth Expeditions (Fantasy), a big adventure sourcebook and the companion to Yin-Sloth Jungles. It contains 11 full adventures (some new, all of them updated), new random encounter tables that provide dozens of adventure hooks, updated stats and setting information for every location, including the City of Dragons, City of Sea Giants, Terrellia, Shaldon’s Keep, the Great Fire Bog, and others, plus an ancient menace, 30+ new maps, and so much more. This book is guaranteed to surprise and delight Palladium Fantasy fans this summer.
– Coming! Rifts® Chaos Earth®: First Responders in development by Sean Owen Roberson. The cover and interior art are done and look fantastic.
– Rifts® Antarctica in development for a tentative 2026 release. The cover and interior art is done. The villains, mysteries, and adventure potential are beyond anything you could imagine.
– Little fun surprises are coming, like new art prints and fun one-shot products that when they’re sold out, they’re gone. Things that Wayne Smith has tossed together to brighten your gaming space and put a smile on your face. And there will be more sales popping up in the months ahead to celebrate Palladium Books’ 45th anniversary, so skim every Weekly Update for new releases, news, and sales. And spread the word.
– Secret Projects Behind the Scenes: Other books and RPG related products are being considered and developed – we can’t talk about them yet, but you’ll be pleased. We are also exploring a number of potential opportunities and licenses. For example, I just signed a shopping license for Phase World and Splicers for possible development as movies or TV/streaming shows; but who knows what may come of it? Mark Dudley and his team are still talking about doing the Adventures of Erin Tarn as a Girl comic book or graphic novel, and we’ve had two other inquiries about a Rifts comic book series or graphic novel. Sean and I are also talking with Paramount about new TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG books and products (yes, we’ll inquire about PDF books). A personal aspiration is to try to get the two, long awaited Beyond the Supernatural sourcebooks out by the end of the year (tentative). And there’s more being explored by Jeremy Colantonio, Sean, Alex, and Wayne. Of course, all of it is in motion and uncertain, but I thought I’d share a little of what’s going on. |
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| A Weekend with Kevin Siembieda (and Friends)– April 24 & 25, 2026 – Westland, Michigan – admissions available now – make lasting memories |
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| Limited to 60-80 attendees so order soon before the event is sold out!
FREE giveaway to all who attend! Over the years, I, Kevin Siembieda, have collected countless books on numerous subjects for research to make the many games you love. Well, it’s time for me to prune my massive library and I want to give them away to you. As a result, those who attend can take as many of these books as they may want – absolutely free – along with a Certificate saying they come from the Collection of Kevin Siembieda and were used as research and inspiration for Palladium Books’ Megaverse of role-playing games and sourcebooks.
The Plan for the Event itself: We’ll meet at the Worlds of Palladium exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum in the morning, break for lunch, and then return to the Palladium warehouse for an intimate afternoon and evening with me, Kevin Siembieda, the Palladium staff, and industry friends like Matthew Balent, Steve Dawes, Greg Diaczyk, Rex Barkdoll, Mark Dudley, Mike Majestic, and other artists, writers, and people of note (like Jolly Blackburn if he can make it). Friday and Saturday only. See complete details for this unique and limited event by clicking on the link below.
Share your stories about Palladium Books. Tell us fun and funny stories about your encounters with me, Erick, Kathy, Palladium creators and staff, Palladium Open House and other convention and gaming experiences. Did you ever meet gaming legends like Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Greg Stafford, Keith Parkinson, Steve Jackson, Mike Pondsmith, Sandy Peterson, Mark Millar, Jordan Weisman, Michael Stackpole, etc.? Share those stories with us. I hope a bunch of you join us for a weekend (Friday and Saturday) of fun, laughs, and lively conversation and remembrances. I can’t wait. For more information click on the button below. |
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| Two special offers for Traveler 5E RPG Crowdfunder – Core Rules Box Set |
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| I want to let you know about a crowdfunder you may want to support. It’s by the same team that did the successful World’s Largest Dungeon. This time they’re adapting the legendary science fiction Traveler game to 5E in coordination with Mongoose Publishing and spearheaded by GDW and TSR veteran Timothy Brown. It will be presented as a four-book slipcase set that includes the core rules, character creation, starships, weapons, worlds, and more – build entire sectors of space for your campaigns.
Free bonus item if you join the launch party now! The crowdfunding campaign will also feature tabletop extras such as dice sets, patches, and other Traveller-themed accessories. In fact if you follow the project now, you will receive a free Traveller 5E patch when you pledge. Reserve for just $2 and you’ll receive a cool-looking Traveller coin free when you pledge. Who doesn’t like cool free and bonus stuff? But you need to join before March 31st to be eligible. Click on the link below to learn more and sign up.
https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/world-s-largest-rpgs/traveller-5e/launch_party?ref=mongooseeb |
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| Palladium Books Social Media |
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| Palladium Books YouTube Channel – A number of interviews with me and J-M DeFoggi are scheduled for April, along with some shorts, with many more to come. All of these interviews with me and occasional guests like Ramon Perez, Carl Gleba, Matthew Balent, and others are designed to be timeless so you can listen to them in the weeks ahead or years from now. You do not need to listen to them in any particular order, just pick your favorite topic and enjoy.
Coming to the Palladium Books YouTube Channel: All interviews with Kevin Siembieda and J-M DeFoggi. April 2nd – The Rifter Origin story and other tales April 16th – Be a Dreamer – a message to creative individuals April 30th – Stories behind Recon, Macross II, and Systems Failure May 14th – Campaign Design – tips and considerations for building campaigns
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| | | TMNT fun with Sean Roberson and the Glitterbois crew – Take a look at the first of two TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux RPG interviews and the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG game session coming soon (if not available now). Sean and the Glitterbois each rolled up a character and played them through an adventure that was a blast. |
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| | | Legion of Myth interview about Palladium Books’ achievements over the last 45 years. Sean Roberson and I had a lot of fun with this lively discussion about Palladium Books, our goals, our achievements, and love for our fans. I think you’ll enjoy it. The link is below. |
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| | | Visit the Detroit Historical Museum and see the Worlds of Palladium exhibit – now thru September 13, 2026 |
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| The exhibit is freakin’ awesome and how many times does a role-playing game company get recognized like this? Not often. The exhibit itself is historic, so come and see it and all the impressive exhibits at the museum, like Heroes & Villains: Detroit’s Comic Book Story, Streets of Old Detroit (a fave), 100 Years of Red Wings Hockey, and America’s Motor City, among others. The Detroit Institute of Arts museum is across the street and is one of the best in the country. Detroit Historical Museum – 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan, 48202 – telephone: 313-833-1805 – Admission: $15 for adults, Children 6-12 $8. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Open Wednesday thru Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1-5 PM. |
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| | 300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to play one Palladium RPG and you can play them all, because each uses the same basic core rules and combat. There are differences, but the fundamentals are the same. This also means you can bring characters, villains, monsters, powers, magic, weapons, gear, and adventure ideas from one setting into another or mash them together!
In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy™, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®. |
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| | | Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store |
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| Palladium collectibles, books, artwork, and negatives, as well as action figures, toys, and other items from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection are available from this Ebay store!
One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Last year at Granite State Comic Con, Kevin Eastman had TMNT negatives from the first comic book on display.
Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed. These are the photographic negatives being sold as individual works of art and collectibles. When matted or framed on a white background they look like dynamic wood cut prints. And they are on sale right now! |
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| | | | | Sweet Memories
Between the many YouTube videos about the origins of Palladium Books and its many games and preparation for the Weekend Conversation with Kevin Siembieda, April 24 & 25, I’ve been flooded with fond memories of people and events throughout my life. As part of the April 24-25 event, we’ll have an area set aside with photos and items to commemorate the lives of our beloved friends who are no longer with us: Kathy Simmons, Julius Rosenstein, Erick Wujcik, and Henry “Hank” Siembieda. There will also be a book where you folks can write your name, address and any fond memories you’d like to share. We did a similar thing at a POH for Erick, but that went to his family. These books will be keepsakes for Palladium Books’ archives.
The process of selecting the photos had me and Wayne reviewing hundreds of photographs, each one sparking sweet memories. We did so on the two year anniversary of my beautiful Kathy Simmons’ death, which seemed to help me get through the day without deep sorrow or an emotional breakdown. I only teared up twice. Once, when I found a touching poem sent to me by Erick’s life partner, Kathryn Kozora, who has also since passed.
It was fun going through a sea of photos from Palladium Open Houses, Gen Cons, Anime North, and other conventions, our visit to Ramon Perez’s Studio, and years of Halloween and other holidays. Memories of love and friendship are precious. They warm the heart even if it’s tinged with loss. It’s one of the reasons we have done the eight Palladium Open Houses in the past and why we’re hosting the Weekend Conversation with Kevin Siembieda next month. We want to share our stories of friendship, creativity, triumphs, and loved ones with some of you, as well as hear your stories, and make priceless new memories. It probably was work for Wayne, but it was beautiful for me. Thank you, Wayne.
Take advantage of the Weekend Conversation with Kevin Siembieda, because I don’t know if I can ever do another Palladium Open House or massive Halloween display again. My beloved Kathy and dear friend Julius played such huge roles in these events that I just don’t know if I will ever have the emotional fortitude to do them again. That said, we are seriously considering doing an Open House for Palladium’s 50th Anniversary, five years from now, but it may be the last unless Sean or some of the other staff members want to take it over.
I want to thank all of you for the endless joy and memories you have given me over the decades. I have made so many friends and experienced so much love, fun, and kindness that I know I am truly blessed.
Please don’t let war, the economy and uncertainty of our times wear you down or crush your spirit. Life is challenging and difficult at times. Life is a war of attrition, but it’s a war we can win. How? By focusing on the people, events, and things (past and present) that bring us joy and revitalize our souls.
Role-playing games are one of those things. Engaging in role-playing is a joybringing experience that bonds friends, brings new people into our lives, and gifts us with happy memories. So when you are feeling sad, scared, worried, or angry, run or join a role-playing game. It allows you to escape your troubles for a while, reminds you that life is filled with friends and joy and goodness, and it helps you catch your breath to press onward.
So pull out that RPG, unleash your glorious imagination, lose yourself in laughter and adventure, and game on.
– Kevin Siembieda, Game Designer, Writer, Friend |
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