Palladium Books® Weekly Update – July 18, 2013

By Kevin Siembieda

Boy are we having a productive week. I’m on fire writing and editing and the guys are working hard on all fronts.

UPDATE: Resolving website crashing issues

Palladium and its host continue to investigate and make changes that should resolve our recent spate of crashing forums and message boards. At one point we feared the site was under attack, but there is no clear evidence of this. We have taken a number of actions that should resolve possible and potential problems. Time will tell. Please have patience. We’ll be making additional changes in the months to come.

UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun One

I have had a very productive week of writing and editing on Rifts® Northern Gun™ One and loving every minute of it. Chuck Walton is bringing by a few additional pieces of art this afternoon and Alex and Wayne have editing on their desks. I think you’ll be very pleased with the final product. And we have a surprise for our Megaverse Insider crowdfunding supporters who have been so patient and understanding. Can hardly wait till this book is at the printer.

UPDATE: Northern Gun Two

Chuck Walton and other artists have dived back into this dynamic book with more information on the power armor and gear of Northern Gun. If I can swing it, I want Rifts® Northern Gun™ Two at the printer before we leave for Gen Con. August release. We are putting 90% of our energy into getting the new titles you have been waiting for into your hands.

UPDATE: Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames

This is another book I can hardly wait to drop into your laps. I have sent out more text to be illustrated and will be working on it immediately after NG-2 is at the printer.

UPDATE: The Rifter® #63 – Ships July 25, 2013

I have already approved the printer proof and The Rifter® #63 is scheduled to ship July 25. I absolutely love this issue. All the material is fun and compelling and I especially enjoyed the Fantasy and BTS material. This issue contains monsters, mayhem and secrets for Palladium Fantasy RPG®, adventure generation tables for Beyond the Supernatural™ that are wonderful, helpful and easy to use, and secret information about the Coalition’s Psi-Battalion for Rifts®. And Robotech® fans will go crazy over the massive photo spread of the 90+ sculpts for Robotech® RPG Tactics™. Everyone who has seen this spread had gone wild over it. Plus news and coming attractions. A very fun issue.

The Rifter® #63 Sneak Preview – available now on DriveThruRPG.com

The FREE Sneak Preview of The Rifter® #63 – including the spread revealing more than 90 images of sculpts for Robotech® RPG Tactics™ – is up and available for your enjoyment. WARNING: Reading this sneak preview is likely to get your heart pounding and imagination whirling.

There are Sneak Previews available for a growing number of popular Palladium titles including Rifts® Northern Gun One, Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms (Revised Edition), Rifts® Black Market, Rifts® Lemuria, Thundercloud Galaxy™, Dead Reign™ RPG, Endless Dead™ sourcebook and others. A NEW sneak preview of Rifts® Northern Gun™ One should also available in a few weeks.

DriveThruRPG.com is your place to get PDFs of older Palladium Books product, special G.M. Kits and sneak previews of past and upcoming book titles. Many back issues of The Rifter® are available on DriveThruRPG.com (issues #1-52), as are more than 90 out of print titles such as Rifts®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Heroes Unlimited™, Palladium Fantasy® first edition rule books and sourcebooks, including the original Rifts® RPG, Rifts® Vampires Kingdoms, The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy, and lots of other good things. ALL available as PDF downloads at reasonable prices. And there is MORE to come. (We have not forgotten about the PDF only editions of The Rifter® #0.1 and The Rifter® #0.2 – our hands have been full and both are big, juicy digital editions of new, fan created material for the Palladium Megaverse® of games.)

DriveThruRPG.com also offers the Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® Game Master Kits ($5 each; both written by Carl Gleba and complete with maps, combat matrix, character sheets, spell list, and 20 pre-rolled characters created by Julius Rosenstein).

UPDATE: Robotech® The Macross® Saga Sourcebook – 8½ x 11 size

The typesetting is done and Wayne Smith is probably laying the book out even as you read this. In fact, it should be sent to the printer by Friday or Monday. Robotech® The Macross® Saga Sourcebook is being re-released as an 8½ x 11 sourcebook. 128 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 551. Available in August.

UPDATE: Rifts® Ultimate Edition – back in print – Available now

As reported last week, Rifts® remains Palladium’s most popular game line ever, so we wanted to make sure the Rifts® Ultimate Edition hardcover didn’t run out. Same core material. Same price. Same quality. 376 pages – $39.95 retail – Cat. No. 800HC – Available now.

UPDATE: Robotech® UEEF Marines Sourcebook One

Coming this Fall. More about it in future Updates. Like I said last week, I don’t want you to think it was forgotten. And there’s more to come.

UPDATE: Robotech® RPG Tactics – Kickstarter Survey has been sent

The Kickstarter Surveys were sent out last week. We need this simple data returned to Palladium to move to the next stage – giving backers access to the Pledge Manager. If you are a Kickstarter Backer and have not received your email Survey, contact Palladium Books immediately at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Jeff at 734-721-2903. If your kickstarter pledge didn’t go through for some reason, please also contact us to rectify this situation.

UPDATE: Robotech® RPG Tactics – Pledge Manager – Today!

We have gotten most of the Survey responses back, so Palladium will be sending out invitations to the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Pledge Manager later TODAY. It is in this step that backers are able to select all the Add-Ons they wanted as well as purchase additional Add-Ons! That’s right, you can purchase as many additional Add-Ons as your heart desires, in any quantity. Watch for your invite!

For your information:

● When we ship to our Kickstarter supporters – ALL Kickstarter items and Add-Ons will be shipped at the same time, but depending on how much you ordered, they may come in more than one box.

● Kickstarter Backers will get these items as soon as they hit the Palladium warehouse this Fall. They will be shipped BEFORE they are shipped to distributors and retailers.

● Only the Box Game and initial wave of retail releases (see the full description elsewhere) will arrive in the actual retail packaging. MANY of the items made available to Kickstarter Backers – like the Monster, Ghost and others – will not be made available on the retail market until a few months down the road. Expansion Packs will be released in waves over time. Our Kickstarter supporters, however, get them right away! That means many of these “advance” Kickstarter items will not come in the retail packaging, but simple bags.

UPDATE: Palladium’s Marketing Continues

Our marketing push for ALL Palladium game lines is gearing up, especially as we strive to release several new titles and books back in print over the next few months. Conventions and advertising are a big part of that push, but so is word of mouth. Spread the word about the books that come out that you love.

UPDATE: Keeping Communication Going

As promised, I have been posting more Murmurs from the Megaverse® as well as on Facebook and answering my private messages and emails. I want you in the loop. This effort was hampered by our server and website problems, but I’ll be back posting away.

Gen Con® Indy – Palladium Booth #1025 – August 14-18, 2013

Gen Con is coming up fast and we are pumped. If you are attending, make sure you swing by Booth #1025 to get the latest releases and books you've missed, purchase original art and art prints, experience Robotech® RPG Tactics™ demonstrations, chat and get autographs. Oh, and you’ll be able to see many of the final sculpts for Robotech® RPG Tactics™ on display for the first time anywhere.

Gen Con will be a star-studded event for Palladium fans with the following Palladium creators present at Booth #1025:

Palladium is about to explode back on the scene with game products that will thrill and beguile your imaginations. Join the fun and game on.

UPDATE: Palladium Open House in 2015

We still have to look into hotels and other details, but we are 98% certain we will host a 2015 POH – end of April or early May 2015. I think it is safe for you to start saving up and making tentative plans.

UPDATE: Detroit Fanfare – October 26 & 27, 2013

Palladium will be running a slew of gaming events, have a table and bring a bunch of Palladium creators. Other highlights include:

Click here for more information about Detroit Fanfare.

A mini-Palladium Open House. We have a BIG gaming and marketing opportunity with Detroit Fanfare (in Dearborn, Michigan, October 26-27, 2013). It looks like we can get enough volunteer Game Masters (thanks G.M.s – and more are welcome to join the fun), so now we just need gamers to attend. If we make a good showing running games and bringing in more gamers, we might be able to make Detroit Fanfare an annual mini-Palladium Open House. And why not? The convention site is only 20 minutes from the Palladium office.

Game Masters, if YOU are interested in running Palladium gaming events at Detroit Fanfare (October 25-27, 2013), PLEASE contact the Megaversal Ambassadors (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or contact Palladium Books directly via telephone (734-721-2903), Private Message, email, etc., but please contact us. This could be the start of something big and fun for us all. The rest of you, spread the word and start making plans to attend! Help us make this happen.

It’s all about books now . . .

That’s all we’re working on and thinking about. Rifts® Northern Gun™ One, Rifts® Northern Gun™ Two, Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames, and Robotech® UEEF Marines should all come out in rapid succession. And we have several other sourcebooks for Rifts® Chaos Earth™ and Splicers® waiting in the wings. Meanwhile, I expect to get the finished Rifts® Sovietski World Book at Gen Con, a manuscript for a new Rifts® sourcebook arrived in the mail last weekend, and a couple books for Heroes Unlimited™, Beyond the Supernatural™, Palladium Fantasy®, and others! Just the other day I was telling Julius and Wayne about an idea for a new Dead Reign™ sourcebook. As you can see, our imaginations are working overtime. How about yours? Game on.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer and Game Designer

The Rifter #63

The Rifter® #63 – Ships July 25

I thought it was just me, but Julius and Alex agree, this issue feels especially fun and exciting. It is filled with all kinds of useful background and source material for Beyond the Supernatural, Palladium Fantasy® and Rifts®. Nice artwork, too.

Each and every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory that helps players and Game Masters to generate new ideas and keep their games fresh. It provides useful, ready to go, source material gamers can just drop into their ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds.

The Rifter® Number 63 includes:

Rifts Northern Gun One

Rifts® World Book 33: Northern Gun One – in final production

Northern Gun™ is the largest independent manufacturer of high-tech weapons, robots and vehicles in North America. Outside of the Coalition States, one could argue, no other kingdom is as powerful or influential, at least when it comes to technology and weapons. The manufacture and sale of Northern Gun weapons and vehicles has given virtually every kingdom, town, colony of settlers and adventurer group a chance to survive and prosper. Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, NG has been the premier outfitter of mercenaries, adventurers and upstart kingdoms for generations. Now, for the first time ever, learn Northern Gun’s history, goals and plans for the future. Of course, that means new weapons, robots, power armor, vehicles and gear.

Rifts Northern Gun Two

Rifts® World Book 34: Northern Gun Two

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

Rifts Megaverse in Flames

Rifts® World Book 35: Megaverse® in Flames

The Minion War spills across Rifts Earth, where demons and infernals hope to recruit allies and use the Rifts as gateways of destruction. Their influence shakes things up across the planet, especially at locations where demons and Deevils already have a strong presence. Demons, Deevils and supernatural beings run rampant and wreak havoc across the world.

Rifts Ultimate Edition

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® Ultimate Edition

Imagine a world setting that is Earth 300 years after an apocalypse that results in the return of magic. Now imagine a world where magic and super-science collide. Where cyborgs and men clad in power armor and giant robots clash with demons, dragons and sorcerers.

Now imagine lines of blue, magic energy rippling across the land. Where two or more of those lines cross, there is a tear in the fabric of space and time. A Rift to infinite worlds and realities that have unleashed an endless cavalcade of aliens, mutants and monsters into our world. Some are adventurers like you, other are invaders, some are slaves or prisoners, and still others are demonic nightmares and gods from ancient myths. All now make Earth their home or hunting ground. Welcome to Rifts®.

Rifts® combines the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror and post-apocalypse (among others) in a plausible setting where adventure is limited only by your imagination and the possibilities are truly infinite.

Robotech Macross Saga Sourcebook

BACK IN PRINT: Robotech® Macross® Saga Sourcebook – New size – 8½ x 11 – same great book – Ships August

All the famous mecha and action of Robotech® starts here with the Macross Saga when an alien armada enters Earth orbit. They have come to reclaim a lost spacecraft that crash-landed on Earth 10 years earlier. A space fortress that Earth’s protectors have rebuilt into their own flagship against alien invasion. The resulting conflict gives birth to heroes and becomes the stuff of legend, but the Earth will never be the same. Robotech® The Macross® Saga Sourcebook will soon be available as an 8½ x 11 inch sourcebook.

Note: This is the setting for Robotech® RPG Tactics™, so if you’re looking for more information about the mecha, Earth’s defenders, the Zentraedi invaders, and the Macross Saga setting, this is the book for you. Epic adventure awaits.

A Robotech® Role-Playing Game Sourcebook:

Robotech The Shadow Chronicles RPG

Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® Role-Playing Game

All the data and details you need to role-play Robotech® are found in the Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG – core rule book. Available in two affordable formats, an 8½ x 11 inch hardcover edition ($30.95) and a pocket-sized “manga” edition (16.95).

Robotech RPG Tactics

Robotech® RPG Tactics – Coming Fall 2013

Robotech® fans, this is the game you’ve wanted for decades, with beautifully sculpted, in scale, game pieces and the fast action of Robotech®.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ is a fast-paced, tabletop combat game that captures the action and adventure of the Robotech® anime. Two or more players can engage in small squad skirmishes or scale up to massive battles. Relive the clashes of the First Robotech War, engage in stand-alone tactical games or use the dynamic game pieces to enhance your Robotech® RPG experience. Or simply collect your favorite mecha from an expanding range of top-notch game pieces.

Mecha vs Mecha. Take command of the fighting forces of the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) valiantly defending Earth from alien annihilation. Or lead the massive clone armies of the Zentraedi Armada to recover an alien artifact of immense power and enslave humankind.

Robotech RPG Tactics

Robotech® RPG Tactics Box Set

The First Six Robotech® Expansion Packs

The initial expansion packs will also ship in the Fall. All prices listed are likely, but still tentative. We want most packs to fall in the $25-$35 price range.

DriveThruRPG

PDF downloads from DriveThruRPG.com

This is a great resource for getting out of print Palladium titles and other select books. We’ve made 90 titles available as PDF digital downloads from DriveThruRPG.com. This is a great way to try Palladium products and get access to out of print RPG source material. Some notable titles include:

© Copyright 2013 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Beyond the Supernatural™, Chaos Earth, Coalition States, Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.

Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.