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Palladium Weekly Update — July 11, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Gen Con * Progress * Cost of Books * Back In Stock * Coming Soon

Happy Thursday, Palladium Fans!


Greetings Gamers Everywhere —

Gen Con is Coming!


At Palladium we are pounding away on several projects as we also prepare for Gen Con, just 3 weeks away! (Make that more like 2 weeks as we head out a few days before to take care of early set-up.) We’ve been figuring out the layout of the booth with our life-size Leonardo (still under construction) as well as convention promotions, convention specials (After the Bomb seems like a no brainer) and other good stuff.


Advancing Projects

Meanwhile, Sean and I are focused on our two respective projects. The TMNT Redux books are Sean’s main project – the clarifications and layout are outstanding.


For me it is Yin-Sloth Expeditions. I forgot what a great book Yin-Sloth Jungles was. This expanded setting and adventure companion is truly epic. There are 30 maps and many unique locations that work as oases of civilization (or brewing trouble and danger). Most have one or more fully fleshed out adventures or several adventure hooks. Oh my gosh, are you going to love this book. I have finished my tweaks and additions to the multi-part adventure that is the City-State of Terellia (a wild ride), Kor, Dunkirk, and Shaldon’s Keep, with much more to come (like Sea Giants and an arcane demon). This book is packed with ideas and old and new NPCs, villains, and adventure ideas. If we are to have any chance of having the book at Gen Con, I need to finish it over the weekend. Our printer is on standby. We’ll have to wait and see, but I have cleared my schedule and pushing hard to get Expeditions done!



Holding the down the cost of books.


We are doing our best to continue to hold the line on the cost of books. Most Palladium titles are 20-30% less than the majority of our competitors. Not sure how long we can maintain that as the cost of printing, manufacturing, and shipping all continue to rise. Get ‘em while you can. [Kev isn’t kidding, act now! – Sean]

Back in Stock Now!

🐘 After the Bomb Hardcover with bonus material – Cat. No. 503HC

🔮 Rifts® Book of Magic Hardcover (700+ spells and more) – Cat. No. 848

🎎 Rifts® Japan (dragon cyborgs and more!) – Cat. No. 818

🧟 Civilization Gone, Dead Reign Sourcebook– Cat. No. 231

🐅 Yin-Sloth Jungles Expanded (a great book!) – Cat. No. 459


Back in stock in a week or two (before Gen Con):


➡️ Rifts® Index Vol. One – Cat. No. 823

➡️ Exotic Weapons – Cat. No. 409

➡️ European Castles – Cat. No. 410


I have now sent 30 titles to the printer for reprint. Many are not yet out of print, like Splynn Dimensional Market, Rifts® China 1 & 2, Mutants in Orbit, Dead Reign RPG, Hell Followed (DR), and In the Face of Death (DR), among others, but we have fewer than 10-20 copies in stock, thanks to recent distributor orders. I’m always surprised by the popularity of Dead Reign the Zombie Apocalypse. I don’t know why I’m surprised, it is a great game and dynamic setting with many unique zombies and game elements. Can you survive the Zombie Apocalypse?


Old is new again


Due to popular demand and frequent requests from fans, Palladium is considering reprinting select, out of print issues of The Rifter. These Rifter re-releases will have the words Archival Edition in a yellow box to differentiate them from the original printings, which are collector items. Most will have the price of $20.99 retail, more than the original cover price, but much less than the $40-$80 these titles are selling for on the collector’s market. We’ll try three much desired issues to test the market. They are The Rifter #48, #58, and #65. If these sell well, we’ll begin to reprint more Archival Edition Rifters. These are exactly the same book just with Archival Edition on the cover. Special thanks to Palladium fan, Joseph Sousa, for his helpful input and suggestion.


COMING! Art Prints Back in Stock and New – Next Week


13 full color art prints are also being printed for your enjoyment. All should be in stock by the middle of next week. More details in the next Weekly Update.

New at the 8 ½ x 11 inch size for the first time (fits 8×10 mat or frame):

🖼️ Rifts Japan cover

🖼️ Rifts Psyscape cover

🖼️ Rifts Coalition War Campaign – That’s in addition to numerous other fan favorites like Rifts Mercenaries: Crimes Against the Coalition, the Red Borg, and Ley Line Walker and …

🖼️ CS Strike Force (CS troops on patrol; Kevin Long art; 17 x 11 inch size)

🖼️ Ley Line Scene (Kevin Long art; 17 x 11 inch size).


What’s hot at Palladium this week.


Rifts® titles as usual, and the Rifts® 30th Anniversary Edition hardcover remains hot, but this week we saw a lot of Dead Reign and Nightbane sales along with Rifts and Palladium Fantasy. We’re not sure why there was a sudden surge in horror titles, but we are happy to see it. Thank you for your support!

Find us at Gen Con


Gen Con – Palladium Books Booth #607 – near Chaosium


Palladium Books will at Gen Con as usual, though in a different location, booth #607. This year we are situated near our pals at Chaosium (Booth #511) and between Paizo and Asmodee near the first hall entrance.


Come on over to booth 607 to meet, chat with, and get autographs from me (Kevin Siembieda), Sean Owen Roberson (Creative Director and author), Wayne Smith (editor), Mark Oberle (author), Glen Evans (author), John Klinkel (author), Mike Leonard (artist and author), Caleb Nelson (Palladium staff), and others. We’ll have Yin-Sloth Expeditions and maybe a few other new releases, a large back stock selection of RPG books, playing cards, some original art, art prints, and collectibles for your enjoyment. We are also happy to sign any books you bring with you.


Enjoy a photo op with a life-size Ninja Turtle!


We have a talented sculptor working away on creating a life-sized statue of Leonardo. It’s shaping up beautifully, so swing by the booth to check it out and get a photo with Leo as well as notable Palladium Books creators.


Two panel talks with Kevin and Sean.


Tickets are still available for both.

🤖🌌RIFTS and the Future of Palladium – JW Marriott 203 – Fri 5pm EDT
Join Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson to talk about all things Palladium, especially RIFTS!
https://www.gencon.com/events/257512

🐢🥋Palladium Talks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – JW Marriott 203 – Sat 4pm EDT
Kevin and Sean discuss the wildly successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness REDUX edition and future plans.
https://www.gencon.com/events/257514

There are also something like 16 or 20 Palladium Books based RPG game events being run this year at Gen Con, including some by writers John Klinkel and Glen Evans, among others. Check ‘em out!


Palladium offers more than 300 of our books, every issue of The Rifter, sneak previews, and more in PDF format via DriveThruRPG

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I Love RPGs and World Building


It’s no secret that I love role-playing games and storytelling. It brings me joy to bring you worlds of adventure. Everything gives me ideas. Everything. Sean’s like that too. So was Erick Wujcik. But I’m starting to think I’m a natural born storyteller. That writing and world building is part of my DNA. Here’s why.


I have been seeing a grief counselor to help me through the loss of my best friend and life partner, Kathy Simmons. From all accounts, I’m handling it pretty well, but there are good days and bad days. You never know what will cause crushing grief to swell up inside of you. Sometimes it’s a poignant reminder and sometimes it’s something insignificant or silly. You can never tell what will hit you in your heart.


Well, I found something that was one of the very last things Kathy had done for me on March 22. She died the morning of March 24th. The grief counselor said considering what it was, he wasn’t surprised that it hit me with heavy grief for the next 3-4 days. What did surprise him was when I said, “Yeah, it was heavy and difficult, but I still managed to go to work and was writing really well.”


“You were still able to write?! And write well?” Apparently he thought this was rare and amazing, and he asked me how I did it.


That was a tough question. I had to think about it for a minute.


The words that came out of my mouth were, “I think I’m a natural born storyteller.” I’ve always loved stories in every form – children’s picture books, comic books, novels, history books, movies, television, animation, anime, live theater, spoken word, role-playing games, works of art, songs, comedy and everything – my entire life. I love stories and the art of storytelling. I love the structure and methods of writing and storytelling, and by extension, world building and game design. I thrive on the act of creation whether it’s in words or pictures, or both.


Being creative is my escape. My happy place. My world within worlds. I lose myself in the worlds, heroes, and villains I’m creating or taking on new adventures. The very act of it all brings me joy. The frosting on the cake, for me anyway, is knowing that my creations will bring joy to generations of gamers who read and play my works. As I’m writing I actually think things like, “The players will love this,” or “The Game Master will have fun with that.”


So thank you for helping me through my grief, because you are my inspiration, my muses, and part of my joy. You are part of my creative process as I create new worlds of wonder and build upon existing ones.


I also know Kathy would want me to continue to bring you these worlds. She loved me and the fans so much, and she worked so hard to keep Palladium strong through the good and the bad times. So I’m doing this for her, you, me, for all of us. I hope you continue to enjoy all the things we have planned for the next several years. We put our hearts and souls into everything we do. And I need to get back to one of them right now!


Enjoy the books and art prints back in print and please stop by Booth #607 – we hope to see a lot of you at Gen Con in a few weeks. Dare to dream and keep those beautiful imaginations burning bright.


– Kevin Siembieda, Your Storytelling Friend

Palladium Weekly Update — July 4, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Celebrate! *  4th of July Sales * Gen Con is a month away

Happy 4th of July, Palladium Fans!

Happy Independence Day!


Hello Fellow Gamers,

We are thrilled to see so many of you enjoying Palladium’s 4th of July Sale of 40+ items including select books, poker decks, most miniatures, and other good stuff at exceptional savings. Good news, the sale continues thru the holiday weekend and ends the morning of Wednesday, July 10, 2024, so there is still time for great savings to be had during and after your long weekend.


More good news! We have a DriveThruRPG.com 4th of July sale for PDF items happening at the same time. See complete details for both sales below.


What’s Hot at Palladium this Week?


It has been a mixed bag. The sale items, of course, so a lot of resin and metal miniatures, Heroes Unlimited, and After the Bomb titles, but also Rifts, Palladium Fantasy, and a smattering of Dead Reign books.


Gamers continue to discover the Rifts® 30th Anniversary Special Edition Hardcover with an additional 24 page bonus color section in the back of the book with behind the scenes history, concept art, and gallery of every Rifts cover, because we seem to ship out 1-3 copies of it almost every day. Happy to see that, because it is a great book. Thank you, spread the word, and keep the orders coming.


TMNT & Other Strangeness BackerKit pledge manager is Closed.


Our heartfelt thank you to all our Backers and supporters. You can still preorder the mass market editions at a price lower than the final retail price on the BackerKit Preorder Store, which remains open, for now.


Enjoy the Holiday!


Those of you able to take a long weekend, have fun and relax, but please be safe. We are battling deadlines, so most of us are working through the weekend here in Palladiumville. Think of us as you lie on the beach and enjoy your barbecue. Since it is a holiday in the United States I will keep this Update short.

Palladium Books – 4th of July Sale


We thought we would heat up your summer by putting a number of  patriotic RPG titles, most metal and resin miniatures, and a bunch of fun accessories on sale. I mean, everyone needs a Glitter Boy on their desk or shelf (I love the Chainsaw Glitter Boy, and Juicer, and Line Walker, etc.) and I use the Rifts notepad and pens all the time.

The sale runs thru the 4th of July weekend. Please spread the word and enjoy!


Books and Accessories on Sale


🗽Heroes Unlimited Hardcover – Sale price $35.99

🗽Heroes Unlimited Softcover – Sale price $25.59

🗽Rifts® Chaos Earth RPG softcover (30%) – Sale price $19.99

🗽Rifts® Chaos Earth RPG Hardcover (20%) – Sale price $29.59


🦅 PR820 Stand Strong Print – Chaos Earth cover (Glitter Boy & Flag) – Sale price $5

🦅Rifts® Color Poker Deck – Cat. No. 2575 – Sale price $8.00

🦅Rifts® Black & White Poker Deck – Cat. No. 2576 – Sale price $8.00

🦅Rifts® Cyberworks Color Poker Deck – Cat. No. 2609 – Sale price $9.00


🧨Rifts® Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs Anthology – Cat. No. 304 – Sale price $8.00

🧨Rifts® Notepad & Pencil Set – Cat. No. 2603 – Sale price $8.00

🧨Rifts® Notepad Only – Cat. No. 2597 – Sale price $3.00


🎆Palladium Bookmarks Set one – (Rifts®, Fantasy, Heroes Unlimited, Dead Reign®) – Cat. No. 2554 – Sale price $3.00

🎆Palladium Bookmarks Set Two – (Rifts® Chaos Earth, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Beyond the Supernatural) – Cat. No. 2554 – Sale price $3.00

🎆Fantasy Mouse Pad (Old Ones/Minotaur) – Cat. No. 2567 – Sale price $6.00

🎆Dead Reign Mouse Pad (Zombie Graveyard) – Cat. No. 2568 – Sale price $6.00


🖋️Blue Pen with Stylus – Rifts® logo and words: Unleash your imagination – Cat. No. 2586 – Sale price $3.00

🖋️ Red Pen with Stylus – Rifts® logo and words: Explore the Megaverse® – Cat. No.2604 – Sale price $3.00

🖋️ Black Pen with Stylus – Palladium Books 40 years of Adventure – Cat. No. 2605 – Sale price $3.00

🖋️Greeting Cards Mixed Set (6 cards – 2 Rifts, 2 Birthday, 1 Thinking of you, and 1 Faerie Folk/humorous) – Sale price $7.00


Rifts® 25mm Metal Miniatures on Sale – Big Savings

🤖 MI8002 Xiticix – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8004 Dog Boy Pack #1 – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8005 Men of Magic – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8006 Cyborgs #1 – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8007 Simvan Rider on Ostrosaurus – Sale price $9.00
🤖 MI8008 Coalition Skelebots #1 Miniature Pack – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8009 Coalition SAMAS #1 Miniature Pack – Sale price $11.00

🤖 MI8010 Coalition Sky-Cycle – Sale price $11.00

🤖 MI8015 Damaged Skelebots #1 – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8016 Cyber Adventurers – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8017 Rogues and Scouts – Sale price $9.00
🤖 MI8018 Brodkil & Witchling Miniature Pack – Sale price $9.00

🤖 MI8019 Damaged Skelebots #2 – Sale price $6.00 super-saver!

🤖 MI8020 Psi-Stalkers & Scouts – Sale price $9.00


Rifts® Heroic 28mm Resin Miniatures on Sale – detailed and dynamic

🤺 MI8046 Glitter Boy (only, classic) – Sale price $25.00

🤺 MI8047 CS Fire-Breather Rifleman – Sale price $7.00

🤺 MI8048 Juicer Assassin – Sale price $7.00

🤺 MI8049 CS Missile Launcher Soldier – Sale price $7.00

🤺 MI8050 CS Officer – Sale price $7.00

🤺 MI8051 Ley Line Walker with Observation Ball – Sale price $10.50

🤺 MI8052 Triax Cyborg with Rail Gun – Sale price $10.50

🤺 MI8053 DELUXE Glitter Boy & Pilot (2 figures) Battle Scene (slain CS soldier lays at its feet on the base); G.B. and pilot both wield a battlefield chainsaw ideal for slaying cyborgs and demons in close combat – Super-Saver sale price $25.00!


📜Sale ends the morning of July 10th (Wednesday)📜

Find us at Gen Con


Check out the Closing Thoughts for a can’t-miss Gen Con Photo Opportunity!


Gen Con – Palladium Books Booth #607 – near Chaosium


Palladium Books will at Gen Con as usual, though in a different location, booth #607. This year we’re located close to our pals at Chaosium (Booth #511) and between Paizo and Asmodee near the first hall entrance.


Come on over to booth 607 to meet, chat with, and get autographs from Kevin Siembieda (Founder), Sean Owen Roberson (Creative Director and writer), Wayne Smith (editor), Mark Oberle (author), Glen Evans (author), John Klinkel (author), Mike Leonard (artist and author), Caleb Nelson (Palladium staff), and others. We’ll have Yin-Sloth Expeditions and maybe a few other new releases, a large back stock selection of RPG books, playing cards, some original art, art prints, and collectibles for your enjoyment. We are also happy to sign any books you bring with you.


This year Kevin and Sean are hosting TWO panel talks for you to bring your questions and find out about the exciting future plans we have in store for you and all things Palladium, so grab your tickets now:

🤖🌌RIFTS and the Future of Palladium – JW Marriott 203 – Fri 5pm EDT
Join Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson to talk about all things Palladium, especially RIFTS!
https://www.gencon.com/events/257512

🐢🥋Palladium Talks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – JW Marriott 203 – Sat 4pm EDT
Kevin and Sean discuss the wildly successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness REDUX edition and future plans.
https://www.gencon.com/events/257514

There are also something like 16 or 20 Palladium Books based RPG game events being run this year at Gen Con, including some by writers John Klinkel and Glen Evans, among others. Check ‘em out!


DriveThruRPG.com 4th of July PDF Sale


We can’t leave those who prefer digital out of the 4th of July celebration, so enjoy big savings on some of the same products we have on sale in print and some unique digital offerings we’re sure you’ll love: specially at a discount!

🎆 Heroes Unlimited RPG 1st & 2nd Edition

🎆 After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks – compatible with TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG, Heroes Unlimited, Rifts® and Phase World®.

🎆 Chaos Earth RPG and sourcebooks – the origin of Rifts Earth.

🎆 2 Game Master Kits (Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy)

🎆 All Paper minis


✨Sale ends the morning of July 10th (Wednesday)✨

Palladium offers more than 300 of our books, every issue of The Rifter, sneak previews, and more in PDF format via DriveThruRPG

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Moments to Cherish


It’s the Independence Day holiday and many of you in the United States have a long weekend. Nice. Have a good time, enjoy the two Palladium sales, and have fun with your friends and family. You may not realize it now, but these are the moments you’ll cherish always.

With love and appreciation,


– Kevin Siembieda, Game designer, writer, friend

Palladium Weekly Update — June 21, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Sold Out! * Honored at Origins * TMNT pledge manager Closing

Happy Friday, Palladium Fans!

Showing the Love!


By the gods of Dragonwright, you folks loved that Fantastic Fantasy and Hardcovers sale. I was considering extending the offer another week, but we actually sold out of a few key Palladium Fantasy titles, and many others are too few to extend the sale, Yin-Sloth Jungles among them. That’s what we love to see. This feels appropriate to me because I’m working hard to finish Yin-Sloth Expeditions in time to have it available at Gen Con (Booth #607) along with the reprinted Yin-Sloth Jungles hot off the press.


We’ve already gotten a lot of positive feedback from the Legion of Myth live chat that took place last Sunday. Sean and I talked about the loss of Kathy, the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux editions, Yin-Sloth Expeditions, Rifts® Bestiary, Rifts® Antarctica (the full lowdown), Beyond the Supernatural, and other topics, as well as a long discussion about Game Mastering and storytelling. We got so caught up in all the fun topics that I believe our conversation went over 4 hours! Check it out when they make it available online. More about happenings at Palladium Books in my Closing Thoughts.


What’s Hot at Palladium this Week?


The Fantastic Fantasy sales made Palladium Fantasy titles super-hot. So hot we sold out of some titles and others are running low. We also saw a ton of hardcover sales across the board, especially the Rifts® 30th Anniversary hardcover (original Rifts 1st edition rules, Parkinson cover, plus the making of color section in the back complete with every Rifts cover to date). Other Rifts, Heroes Unlimited, and After the Bomb titles were also in high demand.


Weekly Updates are now posted on the Palladium website. A technical issue prevented us from being able to post our Weekly Updates on the Palladium website. That problem has been solved and you can get caught up on the last several updates as you may desire; Some had cool art and other info you might enjoy.

Honored at Origins

One of the highlights of the Redux campaign for TMNT&OS is the renewed interest and appreciation for the incomparable game design magic of Erick Wujcik — Origins Lifetime Achievement Award 2008, Hall of Fame Inductee 2011.

The Origins Game Fair is going on now through the 23rd in Columbus, Ohio.

TMNT&OS pledge manager Closing SOON!

It’s NOT too late for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness backers to add the campaign-exclusive Heroes and Villains Miniatures or Kevin Eastman variant cover to their orders, but time IS running out.

We’re closing the BackerKit pledge manager for the campaign at the end of this month, next Friday June 28th!  And cards for any add-ons will be charged the following week on July 3rd.

These collector’s items will NOT be available at retail or through Palladium after the campaign manager closes, so grab them now!

Find us at Gen Con


Gen Con – Palladium Books Booth #607 – near Chaosium


Palladium Books will at Gen Con as usual, though in a different location, booth #607. This year we’re located close to our pals at Chaosium (Booth #511) and between Paizo and Asmodee near the first hall entrance.


Come on over to booth 607 to meet, chat with, and get autographs from Kevin Siembieda (Founder), Sean Owen Roberson (Creative Director and writer), Wayne Smith (editor), Mark Oberle (author), Glen Evans (author), John Klinkel (author), Mike Leonard (artist and author), Caleb Nelson (Palladium staff), and others. We’ll have Yin-Sloth Expeditions and maybe a few other new releases, a large back stock selection of RPG books, playing cards, some original art, art prints, and collectibles for your enjoyment. We are also happy to sign any books you bring with you.


This year Kevin and Sean are hosting TWO panel talks for you to bring your questions and find out about the exciting future plans we have in store for you and all things Palladium, so grab your tickets now:

🤖🌌RIFTS and the Future of Palladium – JW Marriott 203 – Fri 5pm EDT
Join Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson to talk about all things Palladium, especially RIFTS!
https://www.gencon.com/events/257512

🐢🥋Palladium Talks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – JW Marriott 203 – Sat 4pm EDT
Kevin and Sean discuss the wildly successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness REDUX edition and future plans.
https://www.gencon.com/events/257514

There are also something like 16 or 20 Palladium Books based RPG game events being run this year at Gen Con, including some by writers John Klinkel and Glen Evans, among others. Check ‘em out!


Palladium offers more than 300 of our books in PDF format via DriveThruRPG

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Feel the Magic


It feels good to have so much in production and going on behind the scenes. The Redux TMNT RPG is magnificent. Everyone loves the written remembrances and art tributes – some are touching, some are beautiful, some are funny, all are worth reading. Many of you will be able to relate to one or more of them and will enjoy reading all of them. The list of writers range from film writer/director Rawson Marshall Thurber and TV producer Ciro Nieli to comic book and RPG creators like Jim Lawson, Sophie Campbell, Freddie E. Williams II, Louis Antonio Delgado, Kevin Long, and many others, as well as notable friends of Erick Wujcik.  


Sean Owen Roberson has been breathing new life into the redux books and all the TMNT & OS Kickstarter items. Everything is looking beautiful and reading well. He’s been lovingly rediscovering and working on Erick Wujcik’s original game materials. What a joyful project! Gamers worldwide are going to love these RPGs more than ever.


Note: Kickstarter Backers, remember the pledge manager WILL close at the end of June, so please fill in your Backerkit survey if you haven’t done so already, and think about adding Exclusives now, while you still can because that capability ENDS when the BackerKit pledge manager closes in a week. When we say Kickstarer exclusive we mean it!


Wayne and Alex are working to keep many projects moving along, including sending in something like 20 books for reprint. Our cheerful warehouse guy, Caleb, is excited to be shipping so many books to gamers and distributors. Me and Sean too!


As for me, I’m swept up in a whirlwind of activity. I’m deep into Yin-Sloth Expeditions and writing up a storm. I love this book. I’m even doing a few new pieces of art for it.


When I’m not writing, planning, or handling business, I have been doing a series of video chats with JM DeFoggi covering, in depth, the history of Palladium Books. This will be expansive and pointed discussions to eventually appear on Palladium Books’ YouTube channel in various forms and segments. This idea is the result of our fans asking me to write an autobiography or history of Palladium Books. I would like to except I have a zillion game books to write that people want even more. Besides, it’s more fun to hear and see the person talk about their creative journey. These chats are inspired, in part, by videos with the Glitterbois and Legion of Myth, among others, and the clear fan interest in these subjects and the history of gaming. I don’t know about you, but I would love to be able to watch videos with industry iluminaries like Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Greg Stafford, Erick Wujcik, Keith Parkinson, and others, but they’re no longer with us and no such video archive exists. The recent loss of Kathy Simmons and Julius Rosenstein have made this feel all the more imperative to both me and Sean, who has insisted on comprehensively documenting these memories.


I think JM and I have 15 subjects in our chronological outline, and we may add a few more as I remember additional fun stories and Sean keeps suggesting subjects we should include. It has been fun and I hope you’ll enjoy watching them as much as JM and I are enjoying making them. By the way, I intend to continue a similar series of interviews with the Glitterbois. Why? Because they are approaching the subject from a different point of view, ask different questions, have a different audience, and I like chatting with them. Plus there are so many details and events to talk about that I could do a hundred interviews and still touch on different subjects within them.


On a personal note, everyday I’m trying to be my best self and celebrate Kathy’s beautiful life as best I can. I’m trying to be the light. Meaning, I’m trying to embrace the beauty and magic life has to offer. Life is hard and it can get ugly at times. I’m choosing to embrace the light. To focus on fun, kindness, and goodness and to pay it forward. So please, try not to let day-to-day strife, worry, and hardships get you down. Don’t lose hope. Remember that role-playing games are a wonderful, fun way to escape your everyday stress with friends and fellow gamers – even if it’s only for a few hours.


Kathy is my renewed inspiration. I have come to realize she created beauty, joy, and real world magic without even realizing she was doing so. I know this from the endless stories by neighbors and people we knew. And from complete strangers.


I have had a cavalcade of strangers – people who don’t know Kathy has passed – who will see me in the front yard and walk over to tell me how much they loved our Halloween display, or how much they liked to stop and chat with Kathy on their way to the nature trail at the end of our street. Others have told me how they enjoyed Kathy’s lovely landscaping and especially how much they enjoy the menagerie of wildlife attracted to our home and to her.


Just yesterday morning, the water meter reader waved and motioned to me as he made a detour down the driveway toward the house. I was worried there was problem, but he smiled and said he had been doing this work in our area for the last three years, and our house is always his favorite. He explained he always enjoys seeing the dozens of squirrels and wide variety of colorful birds, and sometimes a deer or other wildlife in our yard. It was magical, he said, and always made him feel happy. He then commented on the beautiful white cat he saw trot across the yard. Just one of the 9 feral cats Kathy had neutered, spayed, and fed daily. She cared about and fed everyone and everything. Her gentle, inner beauty just spilled out into the world and made our home a magical paradise in the middle of the city. There are so many enchanting moments that feel like a scene are from Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.


I hope I can keep the magic going as well as she did, and be the light that helps to show people that there is magic in the world and in our books. I encourage you to be the light in your part of the world and game on.


– Kevin Siembieda, Game designer, writer, friend


2 Fantasy — Sales — Palladium Weekly Update — June 14, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Hot Sales * Interview Saturday * Gen Con Info
ALL Palladium Fantasy 30% Off in Softcover

Happy Friday, Palladium Fans!

What’s Hot?


I hope you are all enjoying the end of spring, because summer officially starts next week. The weather in Palladiumville has been up and down, but mostly unseasonably cool; not that we’re complaining. In fact, it looks like we’ll be in the 90s Fahrenheit by Monday. We have been hard at work on numerous projects, but more on that in Closing Thoughts.


The big news this week is our Fantastic Fantasy Sale in which we have special offers for all things magical. That includes all Palladium Fantasy titles, all hardcovers, and select other RPG books and sourcebooks that fit the bill. These are all physical books. See the complete details below, enjoy, and please spread the word. One week only. Don’t miss it.


DriveThruRPG Sale – a similar Fantastic Fantasy Sale for all Palladium Fantasy PDF titles and select other titles is also taking place on DriveThruRPG.com and includes first edition and second edition rules books. One week only. Build that PDF library.


What’s hot at Palladium this week. Rifts® always, but we’re seeing a lot of excitement for all Palladium Fantasy titles, Nightbane (Urban Fantasy) and its sourcebooks, and Beyond the Supernatural and its sourcebooks. After the Bomb sourcebooks are also consistently selling.

a selection of covers for three different Palladium Fantasy books

🀄 Mystic China – 40% Off
🦸 Mutants in Avalon – 40% Off
📚 Magic of Palladium Books – 40% Off

Watch us this Weekend!


Legion of Myth: Live Interview with Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson – Starts 2:00 PM Eastern, Sunday, June 16, 2024.


Yep, Sean and I are back to talk about all things Palladium Books with Max and Heathen Dog. This will be my first public appearance since the passing of my dear Kathy Simmons in March. As usual we are happy to answer your questions and will be chatting about Yin-Sloth Expeditions, TMNT and Other Strangeness RPG, its pledge manager closing end of June, upcoming Rifts® releases, Gen Con (we’ll be there, will you?), and other gaming stuff. Please join the fun, because we miss you and these fun chats. I’ll be reaching out to Glitterbois next.

🧙‍♂️ All Softcover Palladium Fantasy titles – 30% Off

🔮 Rifts Conversion Books – 30% Off 
Conversion Book One (Palladium Fantasy & Heroes Unlimited)
Conversion Book Two: Pantheons of the Megaverse® (150+ gods)
Dark Conversions (Nightbane®, werebeasts and all manner of undead)

✨ Rifts Book of Magic Softcover – 30% Off
🌟 Rifts Federation of Magic – 30% Off
⚔️ Rifts Cyber-Knights – 30% Off
💂 Rifts England – 30% Off
🌍 Rifts Wormwood – 30% Off

Find us at Gen Con


Gen Con – Palladium Books Booth #607 – near Chaosium


Palladium Books will at Gen Con as usual, though in a different location. This year we’re located close to our pals at Chaosium (Booth #511) and between Paizo and Asmodee near the first hall entrance.


Visit the booth to meet, chat with, and get autographs from me (Kevin Siembieda), Sean Owen Roberson, Wayne Smith, Mark Oberle, Glen Evans, John Klinkel, Mike Leonard, Caleb Nelson, and others.  We’ll have Yin-Sloth Expeditions and maybe a few other new releases, a large backstock selection, playing cards, some original art, art prints, and collectibles for your enjoyment. We are also happy to sign any books you bring with you.


This year we have TWO panel talks for you to bring your questions and find out about the exciting future plans we have in store for you and all things Palladium, so grab your tickets now:

🤖🌌RIFTS and the Future of Palladium – JW Marriott 203 – Fri 5pm EDT
Join Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson to talk about all things Palladium, especially RIFTS!
https://www.gencon.com/events/257512

🐢🥋Palladium Talks Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – JW Marriott 203 – Sat 4pm EDT
Kevin and Sean discuss the wildly successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness REDUX edition and future plans.
https://www.gencon.com/events/257514

🔥 All Hardcovers for EVERY Palladium game line — 20% off — Palladium Fantasy, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb, Nightbane, Dead Reign, BTS, Rifts, Chaos Earth, and more!

Grab these deals in PDF, too! Our Fantastic Fantasy Sale items are on discount at DTRPG!

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Being Productive


While Sean has been fast at work on the TMNT Kickstarter books and exclusives and coordinating approval with Paramount/Nickelodeon, we have been working on several other things. We sent a dozen titles to the printer for reprints, including Civilization Gone, one of the most popular Dead Reign Sourcebooks which has been out of stock for a while, and a bunch of books we were out or nearly out of stock like Rifts® Japan, Rifts China 1 & 2, and some of the Palladium Weapon Series titles. I will also be sending in the Rifts novels, Rifts Index Volume One, and a dozen other titles for reprint in a couple weeks. Oh, we sent in the three mugs too (Rifts logo, Heroes Unlimited logo, Palladium Fantasy), the T-shirts next (we decided to go with just the classic Heroes Unlimited logo for the HU shirt and mug).


I’m thrilled to report that my creative juices are flowing and I have been productive writing. Not just penning these Weekly Updates, but work on book titles. My main focus is to finish Yin-Sloth Expeditions and send it to the printer so we have it in time for Gen-Con, but I have also been making notes about other projects as they come to me, including Fantasy, Beyond the Supernatural, and Rifts books. I’m pounding away and juggling a great many projects. Of course, Rifts Bestiary Vol. 2 and Rifts Antarctica are also very much on our minds. Can’t talk about some of the other projects but they’re fun and exciting.


Caleb Nelson has proven to be an asset in the warehouse where he’s killing it on every level. Just this week we got a letter from a customer that reads, “Best customer service ever! Thank you for being amazing!” Nice.

From Left to Right: Rick Meints, Alien Xenomorph, Sean Owen Roberson

A Meeting of Friends


Sean and I have had a number of meetings and visitors at the Palladium office and warehouse the past few weeks. The most recent was a pleasant visit with Rick Meints, the President of Chaosium, last Friday. Rick enjoyed seeing the place and said he had office-envy, because at present, Chaosium staff all work remotely with no central warehouse or office location. We ended the evening with dinner at our favorite mom and pop Italian restaurant, Deluca’s in Garden City. I appreciated the good company and being distracted from the knowledge it was Kathy Simmons’ birthday. I miss her so, but I’m doing better every day. It helps that I know she would want me hard at work knocking out books and making Palladium strong, so that’s what I’m doing. My thanks to those of you who sent well wishes.


Reminder that Sean and I will be chatting live on Legion of Myth this Sunday afternoon and do not miss our Fantastic Fantasy Sale – physical books from Palladium and PDF books from DriveThruRPG.com for one week only. Take care of yourselves and each other, and game on.


– Kevin Siembieda, Game designer, writer, friend

Palladium Books – Weekly Update – May 30, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Happy Thursday, Palladium Fans!

OPENING THOUGHTS

What’s Selling?


Welcome, fellow gamers.

Though TMNT & Other Strangeness is getting a lot of well-deserved attention (the Redux editions are incredible), we have a number of books in the pipeline, with Rifts and Palladium Fantasy at the top of the list.


Right now, please take advantage of the three huge sales that are soon coming to an end. A Palladium sale of physical Rifts books that include ALL core rule books, most Rifts World Books, most sourcebooks, and some hardcovers at 20-30% off, and two Mega-Rifts Bundles of Holding at an epic 75% discount, plus you support a worthy charity. This is the biggest offering of physical Rifts titles this year! And I believe the two Rifts Mega-Bundles of Holding offer the largest selection of Rifts titles ever! But time is running out – this is the last weekend to order! Sale ends next Wednesday, June 5, so please spread the word and get your orders in before you miss out. I’ve even been randomly signing books too.


Get physical books as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, or as a treat for yourself. Get the incredible collections of PDF titles via the two massive Bundles of Holding to build your Rifts digital library and to have versions of books that are easy to search and reference.  


What’s selling at Palladium this week? With the Rifts sale you’d think it would be Rifts – and you’d be right – but we are also seeing a lot of orders for the Palladium Fantasy RPG series, Ninjas & Superspies, Heroes Unlimited, After the Bomb, the Weapons & Armor series, and a little bit of everything else. Hardcover core rule books also remain hot, particularly the classics: The Rifts 30th Anniversary edition, RUE core rule books, Palladium Fantasy (both editions), Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, and Nightbane. Keep those orders coming and we’ll keep ‘em shipping as fast as we can.

– Kevin Siembieda, that Publisher Guy

From the Fans

Courtesy Michael Nauta, published with permission.

Four ways to Save BIG
with TWO Bundles of Holding

Proceeds support the Diana Jones Award Emerging Designer Program. Each year, the Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, amplifies the voices of up-and-coming game designers by featuring them during an expenses-paid visit to Gen Con.

Expand Your RIFTS CORE Savings!

Rifts Sourcebook One, Book of Magic, Bestiary, Black Market, Bionics Sourcebook, 3 Rifts Conversion Books and 3 more Rifts Sourcebooks

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Getting Work Done


I hope you are enjoying beautiful spring weather and had a fun Memorial Day long weekend. Sean and I did a lot of work around the office and tried to get caught up a bit. He and I did manage to slip out to see the new Mad Max movie and enjoyed it.


I’m happy to report that though I still grieve for my beautiful Kathy Simmons, I’m finally feeling more like my old self. I have been reorganizing spaces, randomly signing books ordered, and getting work done at an improved pace. In fact, we’re all feeling positive and getting increasingly productive. We have a lot of irons in the fire regarding books of all sorts. We are finally getting the fan favorite mugs and T-shirts to the printer along with a Heroes Unlimited mug and logo T-shirt to celebrate HU’s 40th anniversary. My how time flies.


You’ll continue to see the fruits of our labors in the months ahead and should be quite excited about what’s heading your way.


As for the Redux TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG books and products, wow, just wow. Kevin Eastman’s impressive, new cover painting finally arrived and it’s awesome. We were also thrilled that Kevin Eastman, Kevin Long, Paramount, Michelle Ivey, and everyone who sees the color art, page layout, miniatures, and Mutagen Green dice all love them. The art, color, and production standards are all top notch. If you have not yet finalized your pledge, please do so. Any Kickstarter Backers thinking about getting more, do so soon, because we will be shutting down the Pledge Manager in a few weeks. If you missed the Kickstarter you can pre-order at a superior price, and should consider it.


I have a ton of work waiting for me so I need to run. Be excited, be positive and keep those beautiful imaginations burning bright.

– Kevin Siembieda, Writer, gamer and friend

Palladium Books – Weekly Update – May 24, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Happy Friday, Palladium Fans!

OPENING THOUGHTS

Family and Friends


Hi Everyone,

The long, Memorial Day holiday weekend is upon us. It’s time for gatherings of family and friends, barbecues, outdoors fun, parades, and sales. In fact, you don’t want to miss the three huge Palladium sales offering savings on both physical and PDF Rifts titles for your gaming enjoyment. All three sales are happening right now. This is a great opportunity to try new settings, build your Rifts library, replace worn out books, and snag gifts for upcoming birthdays or anniversaries on the cheap.


Take advantage of these ongoing sales and have fun, but also remember those who have fallen in combat in service to our nation. I also like to take a few moments to remember and thank God for my good fortune and offer a prayer for all the people I’ve loved and lost in any capacity. See my Closing Thoughts for more on this subject and a few other things. Enjoy the sales and your weekend.

– Kevin

Secure MEGAVERSAL SAVINGS
with 2 x Bundles of Holding
and a Print Sale!

Expand Your RIFTS CORE Savings!

Rifts Sourcebook One, Book of Magic, Bestiary, Black Market, Bionics Sourcebook, 3 Rifts Conversion Books and 3 more Rifts Sourcebooks

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Remembrances and More


Memorial Day is set aside as a time to honor and remember those who have lost their lives while serving in the military. I think it’s important to stop and remember that what we have today is built upon the hard work and sacrifice of so many in the past and present.


Our nation is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, just as we, ourselves, are not perfect. We can, however, strive to make ourselves, our nation, and the world better through our own personal efforts to be our best selves. How we live our lives, what we say and do, does make a difference. Like the proverb about the ripples we create when we toss a pebble into a pond, our words and actions, our positivity and kindness create ripples that touch and affect others. That’s like gazillions of ripples because each of us creates those ripples every single day! If those ripples are positive, good and kind, that’s the energy we are sending out into the world. Maybe that sounds corny, but it’s true. I’ve seen it in the simplest acts of kindness, respect, and patience.


For me, Memorial Day is a day of respect and thanks for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free and prosper. I honor our ancestors and the warriors who have died, and think about them and the conflicts – whether I think they were right or wrong, good or bad – and thank the fallen for their sacrifice.


I know a great number of people. Many of them have served in the military. Politics aside, most only have the best of intentions to do what they believe is right in the hope of making the world a better place and/or to protecting their loved ones and their fellow citizens. Personally, I remember all first-responders and people of service for their sacrifice, whether they are in the military or not.


I also remember and say a prayer for the families and friends of the fallen, because they too have sacrificed dearly. They must struggle through the grief of loss for the rest of their lives. As someone who has recently lost a special person (Kathy Simmons), though not in military service, I am feeling the fresh pain of loss and the grief that tears at your heart. Like any injury, grief heals. Over time, the pain lessens and scars over, but the loss never completely goes away. If we are lucky, that person becomes a bittersweet memory that stays with us and helps shape us in a positive way as we move forward without them in the physical world. So, yes, I remember the families and friends and those who have served alongside of them and survived. I pray they have been able to find peace and happiness despite their grievous loss, and that the loss blossoms into something beautiful despite the thorns.


During this time of reflection, I thank God for all the amazing people who have touched my life and made it better. That includes friends and fans, in addition to family. As Shakespeare has famously written, “It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all” – ah, but “such sweet sorrow.”


So please, have fun with friends and family, enjoy that barbecue or trip to the beach, take advantage of weekend sales (including ours!), and treat yourself or a loved one to something nice: you deserve it! But also take a moment to remember and honor the fallen. And call or text or email a loved-one just to say, “hi, thinking of you.”


On other fronts, things are going well here and we are making progress in a number of areas including TMNT & Other Strangeness, Yin-Sloth Expeditions, and other things. In fact, other than seeing a movie or two this weekend, I intend to get caught up on work. I should mention, some fans from Canada dropped by the other day. We had a nice time showing them the office and they were thrilled with the TMNT & OS dice, miniatures, art, and layout they saw, as well as some of our plans for their products. It was a fun visit with pleasant visitors. Sean, Wayne, and I were able to hang out with artist Ramon Perez last Friday after work. He was in town for the Motor City Comic Con – a big comic book/media convention. We love that guy. More on these subjects in the next Update.


Enjoy those sales – the Bundles of Holding, in particular – are always a phenomenal savings, and we are happy to offer most of our Rifts World Books and sourcebooks on sale at the same time to boost your spring and summer Rifts campaigns. The sales aren’t intended to be Memorial Day Sales, but are intended to bring you fun and joy. Okay, this feels like a “live long and prosper” moment. Make it so. [Ha, ha, way to bridge the generations. – Sean]

– Kevin Siembieda, Writer, gamer and friend

Palladium Books – Weekly Update – May 17, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Happy Friday, Palladium Fans!

NEW RELEASES IN PRINT

Yin-Sloth Jungles™ Expanded and Revised

Rifts® Titan Robotics™ Sourcebook

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Joining the Team


The last few months have been filled with adrenaline for me given all the exciting projects we have in the works here at Palladium. I want to thank the community for the warm welcome and I’m eager to serve as a force multiplier for all your enthusiasm, passion, and loyalty for the many games and worlds Palladium creates.

When I saw the announcement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness on the eve of the campaign, I had a feeling that it would really explode and offered to help out in any capacity Palladium needed. Having worked with Sean at Pinnacle and meeting Kevin doing some promo streams for Rifts® for Savage Worlds and Palladium events, it was an easy offer to send. Help good people make good games.


I was introduced to RPGs with AD&D in the early 90s; but my gaming mentor, Reese Gregory, had great taste and was a confirmed Palladium aficionado. I remember vividly the evocative covers of his many Rifts® tomes: they were unlike anything else I had seen in the hobby. Bold, graphic, sexy, dangerous. For a new player, they seemed both enticing and intimidating in equal measure; where to begin with what must clearly be a detailed and rich world, and one without a training-wheels cartoon show to get into the plot like the Dungeons & Dragons and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons offered. So when I found TMNT&OS among Reese’s library, I demanded we play.

”Oh, it’s based on the comics, so it’s even better than the show!” he exclaimed, and I was hooked. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness is the RPG that showed me how much broader the hobby’s horizons are than the medieval fantasy core. The content, the tone, art, and game design broadened both my knowledge and appreciation for what the hobby really could be.


I never would have imagined that three decades later my enjoyment of that foundational experience would come full circle and that I could play a small part in bringing Turtles back into print.

Kevin, Sean, Wayne, Alex, and Caleb were a pleasure to work with during the campaign, and I’m honored that they’ve welcomed me on to the team to help craft and deliver the next chapter in the Palladium story. To me, marketing is not about writing the best copy or placing the optimal advertisement, it’s about amplifying and sharing the passion of the fan community.

To that end, don’t hesitate to reach out with your own Palladium memories or thoughts on what makes you most excited for what’s coming next: we might even feature your letters, with permission, in future Closing Thoughts. And if you’re at Chupacabracon, GenCon, or Game Hole Con this year, come say hello!

– Christopher Landauer, RPG force multiplier

Palladium Books – Weekly Update – May 10, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Happy Friday, Palladium Fans!

Join us for a TMNT Party

NEW RELEASES IN PRINT

Yin-Sloth Jungles™ Expanded and Revised

Rifts® Titan Robotics™ Sourcebook

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Life and Friendship


I’ve done a lot of introspection since the loss of Kathy. About how I have met and known so many amazing people in my life. People who seem to show up when I need them most. That started with my Mom and Dad, both astonishing and wonderful in their own special way, and my dear, little (six foot, four) brother.


Over the years, I’ve talked a lot about Erick Wujcik, in part because he too has passed away, and in part because he was one of those larger than life people, a brilliant game designer in his own right. He and I were co-conspirators and cheerleaders in each other’s lives for decades from the day we met; true friends and creative soulmates to the end. But there has been a multitude of other people who have had a profound impact on my life and work.


Kathy, of course, in more ways than you can imagine, dear sweet Julius Rosenstein (also passed), Matthew Balent, Robin Korona, William Messner-Loebs, the lovely Francis Loebs, Jim Domborski, Jim Osten, Kay Kozora, Larry Jordan, Cheryl Corey, Maryann Donald, my two kids, Kevin Long, Randy McCall, Roger and Randy Cartier, Mary Parkinson, Keith Parkinson, Rita Smolinski, Teresa Mead, Jim Steranko, Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Mark Freedman, Stephen Bissette, Ramon K. Perez, Freddie Williams II, Tyler Walpole, Larry Elmore, Steven Cummings, Jolly Blackburn, Brandon Aten, Shawn Hall, Richard Burke, Richard Cook, the Brown Family, Joe Bergmans, Doug Lamberson, Dennis Hughes, Jeff Hansen, Chris Guertin, Paul Deckert, Mark Oberle, Mike Leonard, John Zeleznik, Carl Gleba, Carmen Bellaire, Steven Dawes, Mark Dudley, Chuck Walton, Bill Coffin, Nick Bradshaw, Mike Mumah, Mike Wilson, Mike Majestic, Marc Moore, Ryan McDaniels, Nick Kay,  Matthew Clements, John Klinkel, Chris Landauer, Wayne Smith, Sean Roberson (my new creative soulmate and crazy business partner) and the entire Roberson/Nelson clan, each and every single Defiler, especially the Bartolds, and a freakin’ army of other people! Far too many to list them all by name. Plus the greatest fans on the planet. Wow. It’s incredible to me.


Most of these people (and you) have impacted my life in the most wonderful and beautiful of ways, making me a better human being. Even when things sometimes turned sour, it becomes a learning experience that helps me grow in new ways. Some of these people were in my life for a short time, others for a lifetime, but always significant. It astonishes me to be so truly blessed.


There is one person who bears special acknowledgement. A gentle soul who has been an integral part of my existence for most of my life. He is quiet and gentle, quirky and kind, brilliant and creative, and a stalwart friend who has shared every – and I mean every – up and down, good and bad moment, triumph and loss, hope and dream. He was my first and dearest creative partner and the bestest of best friends for 56 years and counting, the unassuming Alex Marciniszyn. You know him as a Palladium editor and staff member, but he is so much more to me. We are as close as brothers – closer. Alex was my first publishing partner (Megaton Publishing), fellow artist and writer on a couple of fanzines in our teens and five issues of A+Plus, an alternative comic book, published during our college days. Alex is one of the Defilers, a sounding board for my ideas, researcher, concept guy, first Palladium employee and the helper behind the scenes at Palladium since day one before I could even afford to pay him. He was the best man at my wedding, an uncle to my children, and a kindred spirit throughout my life. Our love, friendship, and support for each other has never wavered, no matter the circumstance to this very day. In our youth, Alex and I were so inseparable, like the two Musketeers, that my Dad used to introduce him to others as, “and this is Alex, my other son.” Friends like that are truly rare and precious. Thank you, Alex for being such a great friend and vital part of my existence. May we share many new adventures in the decades ahead.


I hope you don’t mind me sharing like this. As I said, the loss of Kathy has made me introspective and all the more appreciative of my wonderful life and the multitude of awesome people in it. I see you, our fans, as our extended Palladium family and that puts you among those awesome people in my life. As such, I feel like I can share my inner thoughts and feelings with you. These Closing Thoughts have never been just about business. Palladium is a different kind of company. We really are a family by choice, and you are part of that family. I love it.


For those of you who may also be suffering a profound loss, I share your pain, and though you may not believe it now, things will get better. I promise, even as I struggle with that very notion myself. Be kind and patient with yourself. It’s okay to feel that deep loss and sorrow and to cry. I cried like a baby this past Monday and I have no idea what triggered it. It sucks, but it’s also okay, and things will get better. You’ll get better. Lean on your friends and gaming and whatever else brings you joy and happiness. A friend who lost his wife a few years ago said his weekly games were one of the few things that brought him joy and helped him through his time of grief and pain. Whether you too are grieving or happy as a clam, I want to reiterate Erick Wujcik’s final words to me, before he died: “In the end, all that matters is the people you love and whatever brings you joy. Find your joy and hold it close.” Amen. Have a great weekend, find joy, and game on.


– Kevin Siembieda, Game Designer, writer, and friend

Palladium Books – Weekly Update – May 7, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Huge savings with the two epic, Bundles of Holding end Monday evening.
Do not miss out on this massive 70% savings!

Hello Palladium Fans!

Channeling the Love


Today would have been Kathy’s birthday. I’m channeling her love for me and Palladium into another productive day of writing. She’d want to see new releases coming your way, so I’m on it. Then this evening, Sean and I will be visiting with our friend Rick Meints, President of Chaosium, and going to dinner. We hope you all enjoy a nice weekend — after you place your order for one or both Rifts Bundles of Holdings.


I’m back to writing the Weekly Updates with assistance from Chris Landauer. Sean has his head down pounding away on TMNT. Enjoy the sales, news, updates and Closing Thoughts that follow.


Kevin Eastman

Kevin Siembieda, art – Mike Majestic, colors

Ciro Nieli


Kevin Siembieda, art – Sophie Campbell, colors

Kevin Siembieda – art, Sophie Campbell – colors

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness RPG Kickstarter Update


Many aspects of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness Kickstarter are now in the final design and layout stages or in final approvals.

  • All artwork and colors for the books are done and look beautiful. Even some of the old art has been digitally remastered to look like new!


  • The 30 pages of full color tribute artwork is amazing.


  • The 30+ written remembrances are touching or funny, or both.


  • The history and behind the scenes material are written.


  • Erick Wujcik is fondly remembered.


  • Eastman and Laird are honored. We love them both.


  • The handful of additional mutant animals are illustrated.


  • A few more new, mutant animals are being solicited.

  • Kevin Eastman’s new, original painting for the variant RPG cover is completed. As you would expect from this maestro, it is bold, dynamic, and stylish. As are the new Eastman and Laird Mutagen Green Foil variant covers

  • The Mutagen Green Dice prototype has been unanimously approved and adored by all who see them.


  • The two sets of miniatures and their packaging is likewise approved. Everyone who has seen the 3D printed prototypes is blown away.


  • The Black, White and Red edition is as mind-blowing as the color edition books.


  • Sean Owen Roberson is fast at work with final remastering and layout, plus little tweaks and additions that will please all, such as a movement table, color coded headlines, a rear index, and more.


Notable outsiders’ reactions to TMNT & Other Strangeness


Michele Ivey of Cowabunga Corner fame is a TMNT expert. She and her sister Miki Ivey, a top sculptor who has worked with Disney Imagineers, both visited the Palladium offices – or as Sean likes to call them, the Palladium studios. Sean and I spent an hour showing them just the color art, colored comic strip pages (30+ pages of comics between the two hardcovers), and RPG book layout. They loved it, with Michele stating, and Miki agreeing, that these are going to be some of the most impressive TMNT books ever published by anyone. They also loved the miniatures and Mutagen Green dice, and were surprised by the unique and powerful gray scale and red art for the Black, White, and Red edition hardcovers.


“Nobody’s expecting this,” said Michele. “Turtle fans are going to go crazy over all of this. I think Kevin Eastman’s variant cover is one of his best paintings.”


Artist Mark Dudley and two of his associates, Jeff and Nick, visited Palladium last Saturday to discuss the future of their own passion project for Palladium. It was a positive visit and they, like everyone else, went wild over the color work on the old art, the new tribute art, and the vast amount of impressive art and fun products for the TMNT & Other Strangeness Kickstarter. They too loved the Mutagen Green Dice and the dynamic poses and detail of the miniatures.


Everything about the TMNT & Other Strangeness Kickstarter has been a passion project. We are big fans like you and we want to wow you with everything we are offering.


Speaking of which, Backers can still add to your pledges. You do not want to miss out on anything. But DO SO SOON, because the Pledge Manager will be closing in a few weeks!


Likewise, any of you who missed the Kickstarter can place pre-orders for the non-exclusive TMNT & Other Strangeness products such as the two main hardcovers, the Black, White and Red edition hardcovers, Game Master Screen, and Mutagen Green Dice (boy, everyone goes nuts over them), at prices below final retail.




Unbeatable Savings at Bundle of Holding
ENDS MONDAY!


Something else you might enjoy. Since most of you are Palladium fans and adding to or rebuilding your collections, you should look at the two Rifts® Mega-Bundles of Holding sale. This is a way to get core Rifts rule books and a pile of key Rifts sourcebooks as searchable titles on the cheap. Plus a portion of your purchase helps a worthy charity. There is more information below or you can go direct to Bundle of Holding.


But you need to hurry, because this cost saving special offer ends Monday evening, June 10, 2024.


Enjoy!

The RIFTS CORE MEGA BUNDLE OF HOLDING
https://bundleofholding.com/presents/MegaRifts2024


Rifts® Ultimate Edition, 3 Rifts Guides and Kits, Index and Adventures V1-2, Rifts Sourcebook One, Book of Magic, Bestiary, Black Market, Bionics Sourcebook, 3 Rifts Conversion Books and 3 more Rifts Sourcebooks


The RIFTS COALITION WARS BUNDLE OF HOLDING
https://bundleofholding.com/presents/RiftsCoalition


Coalition War Campaign, Coalition Navy, 4 Rifts mercenary sourcebooks, Secrets of the Coalition States


Coalition Manhunters, Siege on Tolkeen – 7 adventures

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Is everything about the TMNT game, now?


We know some of you are thinking that, but it’s not. We are working on and plotting all kinds of books and products we know you will enjoy.


Some coming in the months ahead and some a ways off – all of them exciting and things we know you’ll enjoy.


Remember, Palladium’s new policy is to not talk about projects until they are getting close to going to the printer. That means I can’t name or talk about a couple of the first draft manuscripts that recently arrived for our review. Let’s face it, the unexpected death of Kathy Simmons threw a monkey-wrench into everything. She was loved by all and played such an important role at Palladium that her untimely death affected each and everyone of us in a deep and profound way – me most of all. I think even we ourselves forget we are only human. I like to think we are all super-heroes, but we’re not. As anyone who has suffered a profound loss knows, grief affects your ability to concentrate, focus, be efficient, and kills your imagination. It’s hard to get anything done, let alone be creative. In addition to the grief, you have to take action and learn to adjust to the loss and the new normal. But we are all finding our ways back to being productive and getting everything back on track.


A great many things other than TMNT are being quietly handled behind the scenes. I’m in the throes of finishing Yin-Sloth Expeditions right now, and it is epic. There is one unique location to visit after another. Each with an adventure as well as other notable NPCs, intrigue, and brewing trouble for players and Game Masters to build upon. In addition to fun encounters and experiences for players, there are relics, magic, and items of value to be acquired to empower and grow your characters. Contributing writer John Klinkel and I had a blast making the Yin-Sloth region revised and very expanded, and bigger and better than ever. Oh, and there’s something like 30 new maps and clean, new layout.


I’m also fooling around with a personal side project to celebrate Heroes Unlimited’s 40th Anniversary. That’s in addition to a new HU logo mug and T-shirt. Not sure yet if I can swing it, but fingers crossed. By the way, nobody at the office knows about it yet, not even Sean. So mum’s the word. I’m not supposed to announce anything until it’s really close to release and I’m not even sure I can squeeze it in with all my other responsibilities, but I’m trying hard. (No, it’s not a new edition of the RPG nor a special edition reprint of the first edition RPG. You’ll have to wait and see. – Sneaky, Kevin)


Then there are Rifts® Bestiary Volume 2 and Rifts® Antarctica both scheduled for a 2024 release, and that’s not all, there’s … um … gosh, I’ve already said too much. More in upcoming updates. I just want you to know that we will be supporting Palladium’s many other game lines. In fact, we have a few surprises coming over the next year and a half. Game on and check out my Closing Thoughts!


– Kevin Siembieda, That Publisher Guy

Palladium Books – Weekly Update – May 03, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Happy Friday, Palladium Fans!

🧟 WAKE THE DEAD SALE 🧛‍♀️

Undead rise from the earth like spring flowers. Pray you have the courage to stop them! Rescue the innocent from vampires, zombies, and other unspeakable horrors found in the pages of the RPGs and sourcebooks in this sale. Limited offer — up to 40% savings. SALE ENDS Wednesday May 8!

Hardcover books 20% off – Softcover books 30% off – Merchandise 40% off

Horror-filled PDFs up to 40% off at DriveThruRPG.com

I MISSED THE CAMPAIGN, BUT I WANT THOSE DICE!

NEW RELEASES IN PRINT

Yin-Sloth Jungles™ Expanded and Revised

Get it at PalladiumBooks

Rifts® Titan Robotics™ Sourcebook

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Filled with Wonder and Excitement


Hey everyone,


I hope you are all doing well, enjoying lovely spring weather, and are excited about our new, horrifyingly fun sale on physical books and PDFs.


We continue to receive cards and condolences from our many fans and friends regarding the loss of Kathy Simmons, as well as inquiries about how I am doing. Thank you for caring so much. We appreciate your concern and words of love and compassion. All of you in our extended Palladium family of fans are so kind and downright awesome.


I won’t pretend the unexpected death of my sweetheart hasn’t been brutal – it has. She was a special person and loved deeply by me and countless others. We are getting through it as best we can and carry our many fond memories of Kathy in our hearts daily. And always will.


Life continues and it is filled with wonder and excitement. It was fun meeting and hanging out with the TransPerfect guys last week. The 3D printed TMNT & Other Strangeness miniature mock-ups they brought with them made my heart jump with joy. It was amazing to hold Doc Feral, Karl, Igor, the Terror Bears, the Turtles, Shredder and all the rest in my hands. They look beyond amazing. I was moved that they thought to present me a special, five inch tall Leonardo for my desk; I love it. I love all of the miniatures and the people responsible for their creation. I cannot recommend the two Kickstarter miniature sets enough. Wow. Mind-blowing. I have been pulling out various minis to randomly examine and enjoy all week. Today they were Casey Jones, Splinter, and the Triceraton. Dang, they are all so good.


I cannot stop playing with the Mutagen Green dice sample either! On Sunday, a visiting friend went bonkers over the dice. Sean worked with our manufacturer to create something unique and fun with these Mutagen Green dice. They feel good in your hand, roll nice, and look like dice containing active, mutagenic green ooze. Heck, I’m in my sixties, but all the miniatures, the dice, and seeing the finished color artwork going into final layout makes me feel like a teenager again. The fan boy in me is cheering and giddy with excitement every single day.


Speaking of art, I’m happy that Nickelodeon is approving the new illustrations I’ve done and that I get such positive feedback from them and people like Sophie Campbell. I did two tribute pages. One is a massive T-Rex menacing the Turtles (colored by Sophie). Sophie also enjoyed my latest tribute page featuring the four TMNT fighting Doctor Feral and his henchmen, including the fully human Otto Rattus appearing in an illustration for the first time ever! Her favorite part of it is Raphael punching out Otto, which made my heart sing. Every part of the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux has been a labor of love.


I had a really nice time at Chaosium Con too – we love those guys. The event reminded Sean and I of our own Palladium Open House. There have been other business and personal moments that have brought me joy and remind me that life is beautiful, and that Kathy would want me and all of us to revel in every moment. In fact, I can’t wait for Free Comic Book Day this Saturday! Oops, there’s the little kid in me coming out again.


I’ve talked a lot about the TMNT project, but we have so much more happening behind the scenes and planned for the future. New books for Rifts, Palladium Fantasy, Beyond the Supernatural, and … well, I better not say too much just yet, but you’ll be doing a happy dance when we reveal them. In fact, I’m getting a hankering to sit down and do some writing right now. So I will bid you a fond goodbye for now. So much to do, plus Gen Con is right around the corner. We hope many of you will swing by the Palladium booth to say hello.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer, and Friend