What does Palladium have coming down the pipeline?

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:25 pm

I know we have Megaverse in Flames, Robotech Marines and a Dead Reign book coming up next. What are we expecting to be the first few books after that? For the sake of argument let us say they can get through the Dead Reign book before Halloween so we could potentially see the 1st next book this year. (Unlikely I know as their past history shows they would be on par just to get out the 3 listed.)
I think they would be good to actually focus on Fantasy, get one for that out, then Splicers. After that I don't think it matters. I think they should leave BTS2 books out until 2016, possibly but then should set aside more than 3 months were that is all that gets worked on. That way they may have their house in order after all of Robotech RPG Tactics is sorted and they'll know how much of a priority and work that will be. Knock those books out and then go back to alternating one from Rifts and one DR and Robotech and then One from the lesser lines, then back to Rifts.

BuzzardB · Unread post by **BuzzardB** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:33 pm

Does Palladium have an average amount of books they release in a year?

The Galactus Kid · Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:09 pm

It has been stated that Chaos Earth First Responders and Chaos Earth (Armageddon or something like that written by Taylor White) will be coming soon after Robotech Marines. Kevin slated out the rest of the near future with manuscripts in house and some of the smaller, easier to produce books scattered in there as well.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:12 pm

Really? so still no love for Fantasy or Splicers? Bummer. as to the average number I think it has been like 3-4 a year for the last decade, maybe a couple more here and there, but I don't think so. I didn't look it up.

The Galactus Kid · Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:15 pm

Jorel wrote:Really? so still no love for Fantasy or Splicers? Bummer. as to the average number I think it has been like 3-4 a year for the last decade, maybe a couple more here and there, but I don't think so. I didn't look it up.

Splicers will be included in the smattering of books sprinkled throughout.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:19 pm

I think those 2 bigger lines have had the least attention aside from BTS which really is kind of dead until it gets what it needs.

The Galactus Kid · Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:23 pm

Kevin has stated his intent to also work on Both of those lines as well.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:24 pm

I meant more like discussion of specific books. What are the Splicers books gonna be? Like World books?

Braden Campbell · Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:29 pm

Kent Burles and I will be working on the project pitch for Jeretlan this summer, if that's any help...

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:45 pm

Braden Campbell wrote:Kent Burles and I will be working on the project pitch for Jeretlan this summer, if that's any help...

I meant things close to production, like manuscripts waiting to be rewritten and edited, not the ones that have yet to be written by the freelancers, as that is a rather inflated number to what actually sees the printer. I am curious though, can you tell us more about Jeretlan? And is Kent writing or just doing his usual art?

BuzzardB · Unread post by **BuzzardB** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 3:15 pm

According to the weekly email Kevin is planning on getting a couple Fantasy titles out this year and several more out in 2015.

I mean, take the release estimates with a grain of salt, but it does sound like we will get SOMETHING Fantasy related next year.

The Galactus Kid · Tue Jun 03, 2014 3:38 pm

Jorel wrote:I meant more like discussion of specific books. What are the Splicers books gonna be? Like World books?

As of one of the recent updates, Chuck is breaking up a Splicers manuscript into two or three manageable parts. I will have two smaller Splicers books in by GenCon dealing with specific subject matter (not worldbook style), and of course the Sovietski book is in and has been discussed as an option for later in the year.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:41 pm

Thanks. I could see books based on the different houses in Splicers if they have that level of gameplay going. Something to differentiate each one and give them their own style and type of operations and descriptions to make them unique from the other Houses. I've only ever really skimmed the book, but it seamed to have that element in there, kinda like Dune or even GoT.

Tiree · Unread post by **Tiree** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:10 pm

I wouldn't discount Robotech being one of thr books per year, plus RRT. Capitalizing on the miniatures by adding RPG material in the mix.

So on average Palladium gets out 3 to 4 books a year. Their top focus seem to be Rifts, Robotech, and Dead Reign. I dnot expect that to change. Now if let's say Freelancer Aten took up the reigns of Line Developer for Splicers or something else, leaving only a final proofing by Wayne and/or Kevin. Then you might get more books of different lines.

I still think a quick sale/sourcebook is a compilation of official material from the rifters.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:16 pm

I'd rather they focus on unreleased material to clear out some of the congestion and get to the stuff we have yet to see like more World Books in Fantasy and not another Mystery of Magic which really didn't add as much as books like the World Books do. The Magic books seam more like supplements or sourcebooks. I'd rather see stuff for all the lines like they used to do and not these mini books like they do for Dead Reign.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:17 pm

I actually hope that after Megaverse in Flames we don't see a Rifts book for a couple years.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:19 pm

Between that and Northern Gun 1 & 2 as well as the 2 Vampire Books Rifts has more than enough to work with for the next five years and those other lines could be getting more attention. I think they have to do a Robotech book a year, I don't think anything else requires that, not even Rifts. They'll be making money off the current stable of books that are coming out right now they can afford to not work on Rifts for awhile to bring the other lines some new material.

Unread post by **NMI** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:39 pm

I'd like to see something for Heroes Unlimited - Whether it is Heroes Unlimited, Heroes Unlimited "Ultimate" Edition, Hardware Unlimited or, dare I say it... Atorian Empire!!!

zyanitevp · Unread post by **zyanitevp** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:42 pm

Still hoping for Dark Elf's Fantasy "Champions of Palladium:The Lopanic Games" which open this Saturday in my game! (link in my sig)

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:49 pm

NMI wrote:I'd like to see something for Heroes Unlimited - Whether it is Heroes Unlimited, Heroes Unlimited "Ultimate" Edition, Hardware Unlimited or, dare I say it... Atorian Empire!!!

I'd be happy with either of those. Heroes has had a little love lately with Armageddon Unlimited, hence my focusing on the other 2. Also AtB2 could use some love.

Chronicler · Unread post by **Chronicler** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:07 pm

[quote="Jorel"
I'd be happy with either of those. Heroes has had a little love lately with Armageddon Unlimited, hence my focusing on the other 2. Also AtB2 could use some love.[/quote]
second for after the bomb

Marcus · Unread post by **Marcus** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:24 pm

I don't think that supporting a line that's been dead for 22 years and 2(?) months is such a smart business move.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:42 pm

but supporting one that has been dead for a decade like BTS2 is a good move?

Marcus · Unread post by **Marcus** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:03 pm

13 years less dead!
But no, it's in my opinion also no wise business move.

Until PB has the resources (time- and otherwise) to relaunch it's dead but no one admits they are dead titles, they should stay in this land between the living and the dead.

jaymz · Unread post by **jaymz** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:22 pm

BuzzardB wrote:Does Palladium have an average amount of books they release in a year?

2-4

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:22 pm

I think they are a bit more alive than you think. they have closed off the Save Palladium Forum so there is that sign along with all the books going into reprint and the fact they can have 6 weeks in a row of 50% off sales. They have 2 pretty decent New Releases for Rifts recently, I think they can afford to dedicate time to supposed dead lines, no matter how long ago they were last revisited.

Marcus · Unread post by **Marcus** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:28 pm

Jorel wrote:I think they are a bit more alive than you think. they have closed off the Save Palladium Forum so there is that sign along with all the books going into reprint and the fact they can have 6 weeks in a row of 50% off sales. They have 2 pretty decent New Releases for Rifts recently, I think they can afford to dedicate time to supposed dead lines, no matter how long ago they were last revisited.

What has the Save Palladium Forum to do with the dead book lines?

Tiree · Unread post by **Tiree** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:29 pm

Jorel - I would love to see them get different games out there. But the reality of it is, is that they need to focus on their primary lines that sell.

What sells the most... obviously, Rifts.
Robotech they have a contractual obligations to do stuff... they did rebuy the license after all, and then expanded it with RRT.
Dead Reign - I just don't get. But apparently it's stuff that sells, and Kevin is able to 'Knock out quick*'

*quick is a relative term ... 6 months, 3 years... etc...

Tiree · Unread post by **Tiree** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:29 pm

Marcus wrote:
Jorel wrote:I think they are a bit more alive than you think. they have closed off the Save Palladium Forum so there is that sign along with all the books going into reprint and the fact they can have 6 weeks in a row of 50% off sales. They have 2 pretty decent New Releases for Rifts recently, I think they can afford to dedicate time to supposed dead lines, no matter how long ago they were last revisited.

What has the Save Palladium Forum to do with the dead book lines?

It took them years to get any traction on shutting down that forum.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:33 pm

Tiree wrote:Jorel - I would love to see them get different games out there. But the reality of it is, is that they need to focus on their primary lines that sell.

What sells the most... obviously, Rifts.
Robotech they have a contractual obligations to do stuff... they did rebuy the license after all, and then expanded it with RRT.
Dead Reign - I just don't get. But apparently it's stuff that sells, and Kevin is able to 'Knock out quick*'

*quick is a relative term ... 6 months, 3 years... etc...

and I think they could alternate the DR stuff with other lines and still involve other lines and they may sell as well. A lot of people still like Palladium Fantasy even though it hasn't seen much love lately.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:34 pm

and Dead Reign is a quick edit from what we have seen. Not so much with the others.

Alpha 11 · Unread post by **Alpha 11** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:35 pm

Ya, PF, HU, BtS, and Splicers need at least one new book apeace for each of those lines. Even if its just a small one. I'm sure they could get a 64 to 96 page book out for each in "short" order if they were put in the front of the line. Though, I'm loving what is coming out now! NG2 is AWSOME!!!!!

BuzzardB · Unread post by **BuzzardB** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:52 am

It may not be a popular opinion, but I think they should just kill off the lesser lines that don't sell well. I mean they are a business and they want to make money obviously. Im sure a lot of people here have a couple palladium lines they lke and a bunch they don't play, so it is kind of a crappy position for Palladium since every book they release is only really being bought by the fraction of fans of that particular line.

Akashic Soldier · Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:27 am

Voidrunner wrote:CE is incomplete with out psionics. BTS need magic, CE needs psionics, God Damn it!

There are some official rules for psionics on Chaos Earth in Rifter #50 , just in case you didn't know. :ok:

DBX · Unread post by **DBX** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:06 am

BuzzardB wrote:It may not be a popular opinion, but I think they should just kill off the lesser lines that don't sell well.

IMO - They should look at rolling the lesser settings into a single rpg (mainly the earth SDC lines).

so PB RPG line up could possibly be - Rifts, PFRPG, Robotech & Tactics and Beyond HU.
they could then release 1 title for each of these in the year alongside the 4 rifters.

I think PB should also try to release more books like Rifts DBONA world book 30(?) - a book where sections are written by different freelancers and staff (focusing on writers strengths and key ideas, rather than have them try to expand and develop these to fill out a WB). This hopefully would speed up editing and turn around processes.

sHaka · Unread post by **sHaka** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:47 am

They should just kickstarter the "undead" lines (BTS2, ATB etc) so they know that they can at least break even whilst giving fans what they need, and hopefully swelling their ranks.

Books I want next:

Beyond Arcanum (Tome Grotesque as well, but less important as we have plenty of beasties)
Old Kingdom
Hardware Unlimited
Mysteries of Magic 2 and 3

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:45 am

BuzzardB wrote:It may not be a popular opinion, but I think they should just kill off the lesser lines that don't sell well. I mean they are a business and they want to make money obviously. Im sure a lot of people here have a couple palladium lines they lke and a bunch they don't play, so it is kind of a crappy position for Palladium since every book they release is only really being bought by the fraction of fans of that particular line.

I think you miss the part where Palladium claims to not want to make money as much as they want to make epically awesome games.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:50 am

sHaka wrote:They should just kickstarter the "undead" lines (BTS2, ATB etc) so they know that they can at least break even whilst giving fans what they need, and hopefully swelling their ranks.

Books I want next:
Beyond Arcanum (Tome Grotesque as well, but less important as we have plenty of beasties)
Old Kingdom
Hardware Unlimited
Mysteries of Magic 2 and 3

I don't think they should ever do another Insider or Kick starter. They do not treat the people who publicly funded them with hardly any respect. Don'tbelieve me, go read the RRT KS comments. That is a product of mishandling those people. It is not the product of a few obnoxious backers as PB claims. It is a direct response to PB ignoring the backers on the KS site.

jaymz · Unread post by **jaymz** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:15 am

I've been saying for years now relegate the lesser lines to either the rifter only or online content.

Keep the big three. Rifts. Fantasy. Heroes. Robotech is licensed and only has so much that can be done and at this point once marines and maybe ships are done there is nothing left to do unless HG does something new which I find highly unlikely. Even Dead Reign is falling into "here is a book of essentially occs and random tables" which to me is not a book.

Focus on the big three and stop kidding yourself and blowing smoke up everyone's butt every time the statement of "we will support all if our game lines honest" is made.

This will make some people unhappy but the overall plan and direction would be better as a whole instead of the piecemeal seat of the pants plan they have run on for decades.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:23 am

You really expect them to just stop producing Dead Reign? Seams like that is one of their bigger sellers right now. Possibly better than Fantasy or Heroes.

The Galactus Kid · Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:28 am

Tiree wrote:Now if let's say Freelancer Aten took up the reigns of Line Developer for Splicers...

That would be awesome. I would love an opportunity to do this. We have such a wonderful and robust community from which to pull and a great stable of artists. I think Splicers is a line that really could use a central long-term vision, but still allows the freedom for freelancers and other creators to play in the sandbox. Chuck and I have talked about this at length before, and we think we have a solid footprint going forward.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 11:20 am

I wish Kevin were capable of delegating responsibility like that. We have yet to see it though.

ffranceschi · Unread post by **ffranceschi** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 1:59 pm

The Galactus Kid wrote:
Tiree wrote:Now if let's say Freelancer Aten took up the reigns of Line Developer for Splicers...

That would be awesome. I would love an opportunity to do this. We have such a wonderful and robust community from which to pull and a great stable of artists. I think Splicers is a line that really could use a central long-term vision, but still allows the freedom for freelancers and other creators to play in the sandbox. Chuck and I have talked about this at length before, and we think we have a solid footprint going forward.

"ATEN + WALTON + KLUGE" give them SPLICERS is the right move!

Slight001 · Unread post by **Slight001** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:04 pm

ffranceschi wrote:
The Galactus Kid wrote:
Tiree wrote:Now if let's say Freelancer Aten took up the reigns of Line Developer for Splicers...

That would be awesome. I would love an opportunity to do this. We have such a wonderful and robust community from which to pull and a great stable of artists. I think Splicers is a line that really could use a central long-term vision, but still allows the freedom for freelancers and other creators to play in the sandbox. Chuck and I have talked about this at length before, and we think we have a solid footprint going forward.

"ATEN + WALTON + KLUGE" give them SPLICERS is the right move!

Aten = The Galactus Kid
Walton = Premier
Kluge = Slappy?

ffranceschi · Unread post by **ffranceschi** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:05 pm

After Megaverse in Flames, I am almost sure that Coalition States: Heroes of Humanity is in the pipeline...because I got the cover.

ffranceschi · Unread post by **ffranceschi** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:06 pm

Slight001 wrote:
ffranceschi wrote:
The Galactus Kid wrote:
Tiree wrote:Now if let's say Freelancer Aten took up the reigns of Line Developer for Splicers...

That would be awesome. I would love an opportunity to do this. We have such a wonderful and robust community from which to pull and a great stable of artists. I think Splicers is a line that really could use a central long-term vision, but still allows the freedom for freelancers and other creators to play in the sandbox. Chuck and I have talked about this at length before, and we think we have a solid footprint going forward.

"ATEN + WALTON + KLUGE" give them SPLICERS is the right move!

Aten = The Galactus Kid
Walton = Premier
Kluge = Slappy?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

Slight001 · Unread post by **Slight001** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:08 pm

ffranceschi wrote:
Slight001 wrote:
ffranceschi wrote:
The Galactus Kid wrote:
Tiree wrote:Now if let's say Freelancer Aten took up the reigns of Line Developer for Splicers...

That would be awesome. I would love an opportunity to do this. We have such a wonderful and robust community from which to pull and a great stable of artists. I think Splicers is a line that really could use a central long-term vision, but still allows the freedom for freelancers and other creators to play in the sandbox. Chuck and I have talked about this at length before, and we think we have a solid footprint going forward.

"ATEN + WALTON + KLUGE" give them SPLICERS is the right move!

Aten = The Galactus Kid
Walton = Premier
Kluge = Slappy?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

Cool just confirming... been forever since Slappy posted that I'd been worried he'd moved on.

Jorel · Unread post by **Jorel** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:15 pm

ffranceschi wrote:After Megaverse in Flames, I am almost sure that Coalition States: Heroes of Humanity is in the pipeline...because I got the cover.

You could be right. I hope you aren't as the other lines deserve a bit of the limelight.

The Galactus Kid · Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:26 pm

ffranceschi wrote:
The Galactus Kid wrote:
Tiree wrote:Now if let's say Freelancer Aten took up the reigns of Line Developer for Splicers...

That would be awesome. I would love an opportunity to do this. We have such a wonderful and robust community from which to pull and a great stable of artists. I think Splicers is a line that really could use a central long-term vision, but still allows the freedom for freelancers and other creators to play in the sandbox. Chuck and I have talked about this at length before, and we think we have a solid footprint going forward.

"ATEN + WALTON + KLUGE" give them SPLICERS is the right move!

Thank you. This is very flattering. Right now, there are a couple of teams working on Splicers projects (Chuck and Slappy, Me and my brothers in law or a couple of our regular forumites, Krispy and Guy Le Douche) We are tackling Splicers in ways that don't step on each others toes, but that also allow the material to be easily accessed later on in the creative process. I've never met Slappy, but Chuck and I talk all the time when at Cons together, and I'd love to chat with him more regularly.

The Galactus Kid · Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:13 pm

Voidrunner wrote:
Akashic Soldier wrote:
Voidrunner wrote:CE is incomplete with out psionics. BTS need magic, CE needs psionics, God Damn it!

There are some official rules for psionics on Chaos Earth in Rifter #50 , just in case you didn't know.

An excellent piece by Mr. Richards. I had forgotten about that one.

Yeah, one of the best.