Weekly Updates 2

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 26, 2024

Update Opening Graphic

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 26, 2024

One game system – every genre – countless worlds – endless adventure

By Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson

It has been another wild week here at Palladium Books. Wayne and I have been so busy working on products, bookkeeping and reorganization that we barely know what day it is. That said, everything is looking great.

TMNT Kickstarter

UPDATE: TMNT Kickstarter: Luis Antonio Delgado’s color work on Transdimensional TMNT and Truckin’ Turtles looks fabulous and he’s about to start work on Turtles Go Hollywood. Meanwhile, Michael Majestic is wrapping up the last of his painterly color work for the two color editions, just as Jeremy Colwell is pounding away on the Black, White, and Red editions and blowing our minds with his approach.

The TMNT Miniatures (a Kickstarter Exclusive) are also nearing completion with final tweaks and posing that make us smile. Great work by the team at TransPerfect. More images for the minis and pages from the books will be shown in another week or two.

TMNT Backerkit Pledge Manager will launch early February. This is where you’ll be able to change your pledge, get add-ons and see shipping. Sean and I are working hard at getting the best shipping prices we can for our Backers outside the USA.

UPDATE: Rifts® Bestiary Volume Two: Sean and Matthew Clements are on it. If you loved Volume One, you’ll love Volume Two.

UPDATE: Yin-Sloth Expeditions (Fantasy) – I’m back at it and loving it. This updated and expanded edition builds upon the original Yin-Sloth Jungles book with 30 redrawn maps, new details, new adventures, and new information.

UPDATE: Island at the Edge of the World, 2nd Edition (Fantasy) – The remastered and reedited edition is coming sometime in 2024. This fan favorite, offbeat adventure world book is not a complete redo like Yin-Sloth Jungles 2nd Edition, which was so expanded and updated that it needed a second book, Yin-Sloth Expeditions, to complete it.

UPDATE: Rifts® Antarctica – This is the next Rifts® title I will be finishing up. Written by Matthew Clements and Kevin Siembieda, it is not what you are expecting.

Temporarily SOLD OUT! But at the Printer. A number of book titles are temporarily out of print and several others are nearly sold out! Awesome, please keep those orders coming. We’ve sent 15 titles to the printer. All will be coming back in print throughout the month of February. That includes Rifts® Cyberworks Collection hardcover, After the Bomb® softcover, Rifts® Madhaven, Rifts® Coalition War Campaign, Rifts® Bionics Sourcebook, Rifts® Dark Conversions, and others to be back soon. Some you’ll never know how close they came to being temporarily sold out, including a number of Palladium Fantasy titles.

Upcoming T-shirts

T-Shirts Coming Soon

Due to popular demand, Palladium is bringing back two fan-favorite T-Shirts plus a brand new Heroes Unlimited shirt. All available in most sizes. All shirts should become available in February.

  • Rifts® Logo T-shirt – The ever-popular Kevin Long Rifts Logo; white printing on a black T-shirt.
  • Living the Fantasy T-shirt – Kevin Siembieda’s iconic dragon battling a knight from the original RPG book cover; red printing on a black T-shirt.
  • NEW! Heroes Unlimited: Unleash Your Power T-shirt – Heroes Unlimited logo, superhero artwork and the slogan “Unleash Your Power;” white printing on a black T-shirt.

Coffee Mugs Coming Soon

Due to popular demand, Palladium is bringing back two fan-favorite coffee mugs plus a new Heroes Unlimited coffee mug. All items should be become available in February or March.

  • Rifts® Logo – The ever-popular Rifts Logo; white printing on a black coffee mug.
  • Living the Fantasy – Kevin Siembieda’s iconic dragon battling a knight from the original RPG book cover; red printing on a black mug.
  • NEW! Heroes Unlimited: Unleash Your Power – Heroes Unlimited logo and artwork; white printing on a black coffee mug.

Palladium Game Masters Wanted

We need G.M.s to run games at Gen Con. If you were planning or thinking about running games at Gen Con, please coordinate with Palladium Books in order to get a dedicated room and other perks like a discount on your purchase at the Palladium Books Booth!

We are hoping to get our usual crew of Gen Con Game Masters to run Palladium game events again. This can be any Palladium setting:

  • Rifts (Palladium or Savage Worlds)
  • Chaos Earth
  • Palladium Fantasy RPG
  • Heroes Unlimited
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • After the Bomb
  • Ninjas & Superspies
  • Nightbane
  • Dead Reign
  • Beyond the Supernatural and any of our other settings.

We need your commitment, game description and info by February 28. Send to Jeff Ruiz, aka NMI, via email at nmi {at} thedeificnmi.com

Palladium is always looking for NEW Game Masters who would like to run events. As long as you are confident running 6 players at conventions and have experience running good convention games, Palladium Wants YOU!

Run 4 or more games (with 6 or more players in each game) and your Gen Con Admission is free. Plus, Palladium gives its G.M.s a discount on books at our booth!

Game Masters and Game Event Descriptions NEEDED by February 28, 2024. (See Gen Con’s website for details about the info needed for each game listing; G.M.’s name, number of players, length of time, name of game, difficulty level, etc.) This enables us to coordinate and submit them as a batch to Gen Con and guarantees to have your event listed in the onsite Gen Con Program Book. Being listed onsite is very important to have full attendance for your event. This date gives us enough time to compile and send Gen Con everything they need.

Prospective Game Masters, please contact Jeff Ruiz, aka NMI, via email at nmi {at} thedeificnmi.com

2024 is Heroes Unlimited RPG’s 40th Anniversary

We have hit another landmark with Heroes Unlimited’s 40th anniversary. We have a few ideas on how we might celebrate this rare achievement, but we would LOVE to hear your ideas. Please submit them to Palladium via our Help Desk as well as chat about it online. Thanks!

Rifts Automated Character Sheet on PalladiumBooks.com

NEW on DriveThruRPG.com – Newly UPDATED Rifts® Automated Character Sheet AND Creature Feature sourcebook for Beyond the Supernatural are now available

UPDATED Rifts® Automated Character Sheet now available. Three updates, in fact. This EXCEL template provides automation to your Rifts® character creation process. Done in Microsoft Excel, this character template will allow you to build your character with substantial ease and speed. Ideal for the new gamer who doesn’t know all of the Palladium Books® rules just yet, it’s also a highly effective tool for Game Masters and advanced players alike who make multiple characters, NPCs, or just like to min/max or theory craft characters between games. Note: If you already purchased this item, you can download the updated version for free. Enjoy.

Rifts Automated Character Sheet at PalladiumBooks.com Rifts Automated Interactive Character Sheet at DriveThruRPG

NEW! Creature Feature™ PDF book on DriveThruRPG.com – due to popular request, this epic Beyond the Supernatural(BTS) sourcebook is now available on DriveThru for your digital enjoyment.

Creature Feature is for players and Game Masters alike and a fun read for anyone.

  • 15 detailed and expansive supernatural horrors unlike any you see in most other horror games.
  • Creature encounter tables.
  • Tips on making (and playing) better creatures.
  • Rules clarifications (lots of them).
  • Player and G.M. tips.
  • BTS world information.
  • One full adventure and numerous adventure hooks.
  • Dynamic art by Steven Cummings, Phil Stone, and Siembieda.

Also available on DriveThru: The 1st and 2nd Edition Beyond the Supernatural RPG, and Boxed Nightmares sourcebook; not to mention Dead Reign® (zombies) and Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy/superhero horror). All these books, including BTS 2nd Edition (softcover and hardcover), BTS RPG 1st Edition hardcover, and the Boxed Nightmares™ (1st edition rules) are available as physical books from PalladiumBooks.com offering a Megaverse® of adventure.

NEW! FREE Nightbane® RPG digital Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com – Have you been wondering what the buzz is all about for Nightbane® and Urban Fantasy? Well, now you can see for yourself with this fun Preview of the core rule book. There are also free Sneak Previews of Creature Feature™, Dead Reign®, BTS, and numerous Rifts® books and other titles, including Rifts® Manhunters™, Titan Robotics™, Northern Gun™ One and Two, Lemuria, and more.

Palladium PDFs at DriveThruRPG.com

300+ RPG titles from Palladium Books

No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to play one Palladium RPG and you can play them all, because each uses the same basic core rules and combat. There are differences, but the fundamentals are the same. This also means you can bring characters, villains, monsters, powers, magic, weapons, gear, and adventure ideas from one setting into another or mash them together!

  • Rifts® titles. Rifts® is the ultimate setting in which you can combine any number of genres and play any style of gaming you may desire: science fiction, fantasy, supernatural horror, heroic adventure, dimensional travel, modern knights, cyborgs, giant robots, dinosaur taming, sleuthing, magic, monsters, heroes and legends. Or combine them all. There has never been a game quite like Rifts®.
  • Rifts® Chaos Earth® titles. Live through the Great Cataclysm and the Coming of the Rifts. Rifts® Chaos Earth® RPG, Creatures of Chaos™, Rise of Magic™, and Chaos Earth® Resurrection™ are all available.
  • The Rifter® #1-85. Each issue is a wealth of source material for Rifts® and 3-5 other Palladium game settings. More than 8,600 pages of source material and counting. Most issues are only available in digital form.
  • Palladium Fantasy RPG® titles. A rich, original setting in which you can play humans or any number of nonhuman species of people in a world of magic, heroes and wonder. All of it epic.
  • Dead Reign® RPG and sourcebooks. The Zombie Apocalypse unleashed. A great introductory RPG that is surprisingly uplifting, fun, fast, and easy to learn.
  • Heroes Unlimited™ RPG Second Edition titles. Create any type of superhuman you can imagine to build your own super-hero universe.
  • After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks. Play anthropomorphic, intelligent, mutant animals as crime-fighting mutants and super-heroes or survivors of a crumbling post-apocalyptic Earth.
  • Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG and the Mystic China™ sourcebook. 41 types of martial arts, ninjas, super-spies, gizmos, mystic powers, and magic in the main book, plus even more in Mystic China.
  • Nightbane® RPG and sourcebooks – Urban Fantasy. Only you know the truth. Only you can see the Nightlords and their demonic minions, and you have the power to stop them. But you must transform into a monster yourself in order to use your powers. Trust no one.
  • Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG and sourcebooks. Modern horror; 14 character classes, 42 occupations for “ordinary people,” 100+ psychic abilities, 16 monsters, and more.
  • 300+ Palladium titles in all, plus G.M. kits, paper miniatures and more. Palladium Books has settings for every genre: Fantasy RPG, science fiction (Rifts®, Splicers®, and The Mechanoids®), super-heroes (Heroes Unlimited and After the Bomb), superhero horror (Nightbane®), modern horror (Beyond the Supernatural), zombies (Dead Reign®), The Rifter® sourcebook series, novels, paper minis, and more.

Palladium PDFs at DriveThruRPG.com

Closing Thoughts – You are on our minds

You, our fans and customers, are on our minds throughout the day, every day, as we plot and work on new products and bring back fan favorites. That’s everything from TMNT Kickstarter items to Rifts, Palladium Fantasy, Heroes Unlimited, and all the rest. While you may not be seeing a lot of details and information until the items are at the printer, rest assured we are not resting on our laurels.

We want 2024 to be a landmark year. Not only is it the 40th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Heroes Unlimited, but we want to make this the year Palladium Books comes roaring back with a slew of new RPG titles and related products that you’ll love. We are pushing the envelope on every book and asking ourselves what will surprise and thrill our fans.

Speaking of which, I’m going to get back to it. Take care.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Friend

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

Every year there is a section where our Surprise Package customers can offer comments and suggestions with their order. We do that because we want to know what you think, and what you want, and we appreciate your suggestions and insights. In fact, the idea to do hardcover editions of core books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags.

Every year, in acknowledgment of our fans, and because they are fun to read, we offer a sampling of these comments in the Weekly Updates. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have stuck with Palladium through thick and thin and now these new strange times. Please use our games to find escape from your day-to-day grind and worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season.

I want you to know that your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoys reading your brief comments, especially me and Sean, and they always brighten our day. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment.

J.C. in Port Townsend, Washington, writes (in part): The Rifts® universe has been as determinative to my imagination as Marvel Comics and Star Wars combined. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Thank you, J.C., your high praise is humbling and heartwarming. Marvel and Star Wars are two of my inspirations and favorite things. Game on and keep your imagination burning. – Kevin]

R.O. in Haysville, Kansas, writes (in part): I have almost everything Rifts® ... I’ve been a big time fan since I saw Rifts World Book 11 [Coalition War Campaign] on the shelves ... My current group consists of three generations of family ... Thank you for the memories.

[It is our sincere pleasure, R.O., just wait till you see what we have planned for the future. Thank you for your support and kind words. Please tell your family, happy new year and game on! – Kevin]

C.C. in Lucasville, Ohio, writes: We’re currently enjoying a Palladium Fantasy campaign, but my players have expressed interest in starting a Heroes Unlimited setting. Once we’re into that, I think I’ll rift them into my favorite: Rifts Earth!

[Sounds like a wild ride for your players, C.C., have fun with it. – Kevin]

J.A. in Eagle Point, Oregon, writes (in part): ... I love the lore and history of the Palladium worlds and have enjoyed playing the Palladium systems since TMNT. I am beyond stoked for the Kickstarter and backed it without a second thought. Can’t wait to get the black, white and red edition. May even pick up the redux just for the full color interiors. Thank you, Kevin and Sean and everyone involved in creating content for us gamers. I look forward to this new year and wait with anticipation to see how Palladium grows and expands.

[Get the color TMNT books too, J.A.! I’m not trying to make a sale, it’s just that those color books are gorgeous, as are the Black, White, and Red editions. Thank you for your kind words. We can’t wait to put new books and fun in your hands as we grow. Dare I say it? Yes, cowabunga and game on! – Kevin]

J.B.S. in Portland, Oregon, writes (in part): Rifts® is my favorite ... I love the Palladium game system and can see myself branching out into some other genres ... I’ve only really played Rifts, Palladium Fantasy, Heroes Unlimited and Ninjas & Superspies ... Thank you for extending the X-Mas Package. I thought I missed out.

[Hey J.B.S., we hope you continue to enjoy our endless Megaverse of RPG fun. Glad you got in on the Grab Bag before it ended. – Kevin]

D.H. in Troy, Michigan, writes: Thank you for making great games.

[It’s our mission, D.H., thanks for being a great fan. – Kevin]

S.S. in Atascocita, Texas, writes (in part): Started with TMNT and Robotech®, stayed for the awesome system ... like to run Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb®, and Systems Failure. I like Heroes Unlimited and Rifts as well ... I’m impressed at the improvements to the company and communications. I have really fallen in with the Glitterbois podcast community, which has given me a whole new perspective and interest in Nightbane® and Palladium Fantasy ... I think Sean has done a great job being a creative partner for Kevin. Not just helping to head the business, but you two seem to have a real collaborative vibe. I’m excited for the future.

[Hey, S.S., falling in with a great group of people like the Glitterbois community is a lot of fun. Good job. Sean shares my passion for the Palladium Megaverse® and he and I are all about collaboration and creating the most fun RPG products for our gaming fan base. We have become close friends, are great partners, and have big plans for the future. – Kevin]

J.T. in Athens, Alabama, writes (in part): ... I wanted to say thank you for helping to begin rebuilding my collection after my house fire. Please continue to keep pumping out great books and I look forward to Rifts® Antarctica and CS Disavowed.

[Glad to help, J.T. As for those two books, you will not be disappointed. – Kevin]

P.S. in West Saint Paul, Minnesota, writes (in part): I would love to start a Rifts® campaign sometime ... I’ve always wanted to play a full conversion cyborg. There are so many options! You guys have such a broad scope of products. It’s such a great world you’ve all created.

[It is a great world, P.S., dive into it and don’t look back. – Kevin]

I.A. in Englewood, Colorado, writes (in part): I’ve rediscovered how much these books and stories mean to me. I am very excited to get back to telling my own stories, and pick back up where I left off. Thanks for always keeping the torch lit for those of us who want something to come back to.

[Welcome back, I.A. We’ll keep that torch burning for as long as we can. With any luck, that will be for a very long time. – Kevin]

© 2024 Palladium Books Inc. All Rights Reserved. Palladium Books®, Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, The Mechanoids®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, Powers Unlimited®, Splicers®, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb®, and all related titles, names and slogans are trademarks of Palladium Books.

TMNT © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

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

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 19, 2024

Update Opening Graphic

One game system – every genre – countless worlds – endless adventure

By Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson

It has been non-stop activity here in Palladiumville. We shipped out the last of the Surprise Package orders – thank you everyone – and you can read more comments from fans like you at the end of this Weekly Update. Otherwise, we have been dealing with crazy weather, sending temporarily-out-of-print titles to various printers (After the Bomb RPG, Rifts Book of Magic, and Coalition War Campaign, among them), and juggling all sorts of work. There’s also a lot of physical reorganization and strategic restructuring and coordination taking place to make room for new employees, bringing on more freelancers, and to clear our plates so we can make new books!

UPDATE: Rifts® Bestiary Volume 2 – Sean is plotting the book’s design and layout. Then he and first-time father, Matthew Clements, with input and writing from me, will see this hotly anticipated title finished and sent to the printer. No release date just yet. These updated collections with new text, new editing, new maps, and layout are more work than you might imagine.

UPDATE: Yin-Sloth Expeditions (Fantasy) – This updated and expanded edition from the original Yin-Sloth Jungles book is epic, and contains something like 30 redrawn maps, new details, new adventures, and new information. This is the project I dive back into next week.

UPDATE: Island at the Edge of the World, 2nd Edition (Fantasy) – The remastered and reedited edition is coming sometime in 2024. This fan favorite, off-beat adventure world book is not a complete redo like Yin-Sloth Jungles 2nd Edition, which was so expanded and updated that it needed a second book, Yin-Sloth Expeditions, to complete it.

UPDATE: Rifts® Antarctica – This the next Rifts® title I will be finishing up. Written by Matthew Clements and Kevin Siembieda, it is not what you are expecting.

UPDATE: TMNT and other Strangeness Backerkit Pledge Manager – Wayne has been working to put it all together and get it ready to launch. It goes live early February.

UPDATE: TMNT and other Strangeness RPG Kickstarter – Everything is moving along and heading toward manufacturing.

UPDATE: Other 2024 RPG releases – Reminder, it is Palladium’s new policy to no longer estimate release dates for upcoming releases nor talk about our plans for books until they are completed and heading to the printer, but we have a lot we would like to accomplish. I can tell you that Sean and I share the goal of trying to surprise you with the number of 2024 titles we would like to see released. More to come in the months ahead.

News! Congratulations to Matthew Clements! Matthew and his lovely wife, Stephanie, welcomed their first child into the world yesterday. All of us at Palladium Books are so delighted for them. Congratulations on your new, bouncing, baby gamer. Or is that game designer, or writer, or movie director, or all of the above ... or whatever destiny has in store; may it be glorious and blessed.

Palladium Game Masters Wanted

We need G.M.s to run games at Gen Con. If you were planning or thinking about running games at Gen Con, please coordinate with Palladium Books in order to get a dedicated room and other perks like a discount on your purchase at the Palladium Books Booth!

We are hoping to get our usual crew of Gen Con Game Masters to run Palladium game events again. This can be any Palladium setting:

  • Rifts (Palladium or Savage Worlds)
  • Chaos Earth
  • Palladium Fantasy RPG
  • Heroes Unlimited
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • After the Bomb
  • Ninjas & Superspies
  • Nightbane
  • Dead Reign
  • Beyond the Supernatural and any of our other settings.

We need your commitment, game description and info by February 28. Send to Jeff Ruiz, aka NMI, via email at nmi {at} thedeificnmi.com

Palladium is always looking for NEW Game Masters who would like to run events. As long as you are confident running 6 players at conventions and have experience running good convention games, Palladium Wants YOU!

Run 4 or more games (with 6 or more players in each game) and your Gen Con Admission is free. Plus, Palladium gives its G.M.s a discount on books at our booth!

Game Masters and Game Event Descriptions NEEDED by February 28, 2024. (See Gen Con’s website for details about the info needed for each game listing; G.M.’s name, number of players, length of time, name of game, difficulty level, etc.) This enables us to coordinate and submit them as a batch to Gen Con and guarantees to have your event listed in the onsite Gen Con Program Book. Being listed onsite is very important to have full attendance for your event. This date gives us enough time to compile and send Gen Con everything they need.

Prospective Game Masters, please contact Jeff Ruiz, aka NMI, via email at nmi {at} thedeificnmi.com

2024 is Heroes Unlimited RPG’s 40th Anniversary

We have hit another landmark with Heroes Unlimited’s 40th anniversary. We have a few ideas on how we might celebrate this rare achievement, but we would LOVE to hear your ideas. Please submit them to Palladium via our Help Desk as well as chat about it online. Thanks!

Rifts Automated Character Sheet on PalladiumBooks.com

NEW on DriveThruRPG.com – Newly UPDATED Rifts® Automated Character Sheet AND Creature Feature sourcebook for Beyond the Supernatural are now available

UPDATED Rifts® Automated Character Sheet now available. Three updates, in fact. This EXCEL template provides automation to your Rifts® character creation process. Done in Microsoft Excel, this character template will allow you to build your character with substantial ease and speed. Ideal for the new gamer who doesn’t know all of the Palladium Books® rules just yet, it’s also a highly effective tool for Game Masters and advanced players alike who make multiple characters, NPCs, or just like to min/max or theory craft characters between games. Note: If you already purchased this item, you can download the updated version for free. Enjoy.

Rifts Automated Character Sheet at PalladiumBooks.com Rifts Automated Interactive Character Sheet at DriveThruRPG

NEW! Creature Feature™ PDF book on DriveThruRPG.com – due to popular request, this epic Beyond the Supernatural(BTS) sourcebook is now available on DriveThru for your digital enjoyment.

Creature Feature is for players and Game Masters alike and a fun read for anyone.

  • 15 detailed and expansive supernatural horrors unlike any you see in most other horror games.
  • Creature encounter tables.
  • Tips on making (and playing) better creatures.
  • Rules clarifications (lots of them).
  • Player and G.M. tips.
  • BTS world information.
  • One full adventure and numerous adventure hooks.
  • Dynamic art by Steven Cummings, Phil Stone, and Siembieda.

Also available on DriveThru: The 1st and 2nd Edition Beyond the Supernatural RPG, and Boxed Nightmares sourcebook; not to mention Dead Reign® (zombies) and Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy/superhero horror). All these books, including BTS 2nd Edition (softcover and hardcover), BTS RPG 1st Edition hardcover, and the Boxed Nightmares™ (1st edition rules) are available as physical books from PalladiumBooks.com offering a Megaverse® of adventure.

NEW! FREE Nightbane® RPG digital Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com – Have you been wondering what the buzz is all about for Nightbane® and Urban Fantasy? Well, now you can see for yourself with this fun Preview of the core rule book. There are also free Sneak Previews of Creature Feature™, Dead Reign®, BTS, and numerous Rifts® books and other titles, including Rifts® Manhunters™, Titan Robotics™, Northern Gun™ One and Two, Lemuria, and more.

Palladium PDFs at DriveThruRPG.com

300+ RPG titles from Palladium Books

No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to play one Palladium RPG and you can play them all, because each uses the same basic core rules and combat. There are differences, but the fundamentals are the same. This also means you can bring characters, villains, monsters, powers, magic, weapons, gear, and adventure ideas from one setting into another or mash them together!

  • Rifts® titles. Rifts® is the ultimate setting in which you can combine any number of genres and play any style of gaming you may desire: science fiction, fantasy, supernatural horror, heroic adventure, dimensional travel, modern knights, cyborgs, giant robots, dinosaur taming, sleuthing, magic, monsters, heroes and legends. Or combine them all. There has never been a game quite like Rifts®.
  • Rifts® Chaos Earth® titles. Live through the Great Cataclysm and the Coming of the Rifts. Rifts® Chaos Earth® RPG, Creatures of Chaos™, Rise of Magic™, and Chaos Earth® Resurrection™ are all available.
  • The Rifter® #1-85. Each issue is a wealth of source material for Rifts® and 3-5 other Palladium game settings. More than 8,600 pages of source material and counting. Most issues are only available in digital form.
  • Palladium Fantasy RPG® titles. A rich, original setting in which you can play humans or any number of nonhuman species of people in a world of magic, heroes and wonder. All of it epic.
  • Dead Reign® RPG and sourcebooks. The Zombie Apocalypse unleashed. A great introductory RPG that is surprisingly uplifting, fun, fast, and easy to learn.
  • Heroes Unlimited™ RPG Second Edition titles. Create any type of superhuman you can imagine to build your own super-hero universe.
  • After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks. Play anthropomorphic, intelligent, mutant animals as crime-fighting mutants and super-heroes or survivors of a crumbling post-apocalyptic Earth.
  • Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG and the Mystic China™ sourcebook. 41 types of martial arts, ninjas, super-spies, gizmos, mystic powers, and magic in the main book, plus even more in Mystic China.
  • Nightbane® RPG and sourcebooks – Urban Fantasy. Only you know the truth. Only you can see the Nightlords and their demonic minions, and you have the power to stop them. But you must transform into a monster yourself in order to use your powers. Trust no one.
  • Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG and sourcebooks. Modern horror; 14 character classes, 42 occupations for “ordinary people,” 100+ psychic abilities, 16 monsters, and more.
  • 300+ Palladium titles in all, plus G.M. kits, paper miniatures and more. Palladium Books has settings for every genre: Fantasy RPG, science fiction (Rifts®, Splicers®, and The Mechanoids®), super-heroes (Heroes Unlimited and After the Bomb), superhero horror (Nightbane®), modern horror (Beyond the Supernatural), zombies (Dead Reign®), The Rifter® sourcebook series, novels, paper minis, and more.

Palladium PDFs at DriveThruRPG.com

Closing Thoughts – Farewell Jennell Jaquays

It struck me hard when I learned video game designer, artist, and role-playing game designer Jennell Jaquays passed away on January 10, 2024. In an alternate dimension somewhere, she and I are partners in the video game business.

Though we had lost touch over the years I have only the fondest memories of her. Jennell was an outstanding human being and my very first, true friend in the RPG industry. I met her when I became a freelance artist for Judges Guild in 1979. Judges Guild was, I believe, the very first official licensee for Dungeons & Dragons. The company released a vast number of cheaply produced Advanced D&D sourcebooks and many issues of Dungeoneer Magazine. Jennell was already making herself a name at Judges Guild as a dynamic illustrator and brilliant, up and coming writer/game designer. She created a ton of artwork for many Judges Guild publications as well as articles and illustrations for Dungeoneer Magazine. Her two breakout publications at Judges Guild were popular adventure sourcebooks for Advanced D&D – Caverns of Thracia (1979) and Dark Tower (1980).

I want to say it was only a month after I started working for Judges Guild that Jennell tracked down my phone number and gave me a call. We had a lot in common: We were the same age, we were more than illustrators with had aspirations to write and design gams, we were facing many of the same challenges, and we became instant friends. We both immediately recognized each other’s talents and supported each other’s efforts as visual artists, writers, and game creators. We encouraged each other to push ourselves and to follow our dreams. At one point Judges Guild owner, Robert “Bob” Bledsaw, told us that we shouldn’t be talking to each other at all, and that he felt like we were colluding against him because we both asked for raises and more creative control in the same week. A funny coincidence as I had no idea Jennell was reaching out to Bob. We both also quit the company around the same time to follow our hearts, though I believe Jennell continued to do some freelance work for Bob.

Jennell would go on to do work for a number of notable RPG companies of the day before getting into video game development. Meanwhile, I started my own game company, Palladium Books. She rose quickly within the burgeoning video game industry at Coleco – a toy company (Cabbage Patch Kids) and video game pioneer; remember ColecoVision? In 1984, Jennel had become Coleco’s Director of Game Design and was putting together an art and design team. She offered me a job as head game designer and concept guy. She said I’d be her main go-to-guy and there was a lot of room for advancement. The pay (for 1984/1985) was staggering, and included a $10,000 signing bonus/moving stipend. I thought long and hard about that offer, but turned it down. A month or two later Jennell appeared at my Gen Con table in person to repeat the offer and encourage me to take it. Though very tempting, especially to a poor kid from Detroit and owner of a three year old start-up company, I remember waving my arms and saying, “What, and give up all of this?” I had a whopping six or seven products, including my latest release, the Heroes Unlimited RPG. Jennell sweetly smiled and said, “Kev, think about it. Talk to your wife. It’s a great opportunity and think of what we can do working together. I need to know your decision by the end of the month.”

I often wonder how different my life – heck, everyone I know, including you, our fans – would have been if I had taken that generous offer. Would I have become a pioneering video game designer? Would I have had to shut down the fledgling Palladium Books? I think so. Would I have discovered and licensed TMNT and Robotech and turned them into popular role-playing games? Probably not. There would have been no Ninjas & Superspies, Beyond the Supernatural or Rifts®, either! My whole life would have taken a very different turn. I would have moved from Detroit, Michigan, to Connecticut, and away from the Detroit Gaming Center, Alex M, Erick Wujcik, Julius Rosenstein, Matthew Balent, Kevin Long, Randy McCall, and other friends and family, as well as a host of influential people I was yet to meet, and experiences I was yet to have. Friends and moments in time that would help motivate, shape me, and encourage me along the path that I did take. It’s kinda wild to think about.

Jennell would go on to become an activist for transgender rights and do many important things in that arena. Like I said, Jennell Jaquays was an outstanding human being, and just one of the many incredible people who have touched my life over these past 67 years.

As for my choice to turn down the job at Coleco (as well as a job with comic book legend, Jim Steranko), I have no regrets. As Erick Wujcik would say, it’s all good. I love the path my life took, even with the ups and downs, twists and turns, tragedies and losses. I wouldn’t change a thing.

And just wait till you see all the exciting changes and products Sean and I have planned for Palladium’s future. Great stuff that will make you squeal with delight like a happy child on Christmas morning. You’ll start to see some of those plans and books manifesting throughout 2024. We thank you for your support and we’re glad to have you – our extended family and friends – with us for Palladium’s wonderful new journey. It’s gonna be a blast.

Enjoy this week’s Comments from Fans Like You, continue spreading the word about Palladium’s games, and keep those orders coming in. In the meantime, we’ll keep our imaginations burning bright if you promise to do the same. Take care.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Friend

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

Every year there is a section where our Surprise Package customers can offer comments and suggestions with their order. We do that because we want to know what you think, and what you want, and we appreciate your suggestions and insights. In fact, the idea to do hardcover editions of core books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags.

Every year, in acknowledgment of our fans, and because they are fun to read, we offer a sampling of these comments in the Weekly Updates. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have stuck with Palladium through thick and thin and now these new strange times. Please use our games to find escape from your day-to-day grind and worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season.

I want you to know that your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoys reading your brief comments, especially me and Sean, and they always brighten our day. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.

R.B. in Spokane, Washington, writes (in part): Hello. A long time ago I was a huge Rifts® fan. Then I went through life and didn’t get any chance to play. Ended up losing all my books, got married, had kids, became an author, life just moved Palladium away from me. Then I found out there was this crazy Christmas deal and I had to jump on it!

[Welcome back to the Megaverse, R.B., please enjoy. – Kevin]

G.M. in Killeen, Texas, writes (in part): Keep up the good work. I hope one day to be able to come to your Open House and meet you crazy people.

[We hope you can make it to an Open House someday too, G.M. If you are ever in the area, you must drop by for a visit. Hey, who told you we’re crazy?! Oh darn, it’s probably obvious, isn’t it? Game on. – Kevin]

C.B. in Paxton, Nebraska, writes: Always enjoy sitting down with my friends and spending hours lost in adventures.

[Awesome, C.B., us too, and we’ll be bringing you a lot of new adventures to enjoy throughout the new year and beyond. – Kevin]

D.T. in Auburn, California, writes: Legion of Myth and Glitterbois are my favorite podcast streamers, and Kevin and Sean’s interviews are my favorite.

[We enjoy doing interviews, D.T., and those two are excellent at it. We expect to do many more throughout the year, so watch for ‘em. – Kevin]

B.S. in Killeen Texas, writes: Really just doing this to send love to Palladium. You guys got me through my awkward teens.

[Thank you, B.S., by the way, I was an awkward teen as well, but came through alright. – Kevin]

D.C. in Oxford, Georgia, writes (in part): Thanks for all the hard work y’all are putting in. I’m super-juiced for Antarctica and the Bestiary 2.

[We are happy to work hard and deliver quality books, D.C., and you are gonna love Rifts® Antarctica and Bestiary Volume 2. And we appreciated all your comments. Game on! – Kevin]

D.L. in Killeen, Texas, writes (in part): Long time fan ... I’m looking forward to spending my retirement adventuring in the Palladium Megaverse®. A special shout out to Sean ... God bless you both and thank you so much for holding the line in this crazy business.

[It is a crazy business, but we’ll continue to hold the line. We love what we do, D.L. Thank you for your kind words and support. – Kevin]

C.H.K. in Casselberry, Florida, writes (in part): Every year you surprise me ... and you keep pumping out the fun and imagination like no one else! Your interviews this year have really blown me away. Not just on Legion of Myth’s channels, but I found another on Through Gamer Goggles. I love it because I get to see how you interact with one another and get some glimpses into what life in Palladium is like.

... I miss folks like Erick Wujcik and Julius Rosenstein. You sent me pictures of them years ago and I see them every day in my living room. And “Stan” the Alien! You are friends I’ve never met. How cosmic is that? Stephen King says that writing is telepathy, in his wonderful book On Writing: Memoirs and of the Craft. Via telepathy, I’ve gotten literally decades of fun from the amount of love, dedication and pure imagination you put into each of your books ... I’m glad to call you friends.

[I love the way you think, C.H.K., and we feel the same about the many fans who write to us, make Surprise Package comments, meet at conventions, or interact with us online. That’s why I refer to all of you as Palladium’s extended family. And it is “cosmic,” indeed.

We too miss Erick and Julius, among others, but when it comes to those two and my Dad, I assure you, they are all here with us in spirit. By the way, I have that same signed photo in my office and love looking at it every day. And I too highly recommend Stephen King’s On Writing, it is excellent. {I love and recommend the book too, especially the audio book. It’s voiced by Stephen King, so it’s like having a conversation about writing with the man himself. – Sean}

Thank you C.H.K., for all everything you shared in this year’s comment section of the Surprise Package. It was nice to get to know you a little better and you made us all smile and feel positive for the holidays. Though we have never met ... your friend, Kevin]

B.M. in Baltimore, writes: Returning to Rifts® with some childhood friends after about 20 years away from the hobby. I’m super-excited to read about the Federation of Magic.

[It’s a fun book to read, B.M., enjoy it and the other books. – Kevin]

J.B. in Jackson, Michigan, writes: I had a fantastic time touring the offices last year and getting to hang out with you guys for a while.

[Anytime, J.B., our pleasure. Game on. – Kevin]

S.R. in Seattle, Washington, writes (in part): Started with Robotech®. Grew into Rifts®! Looking forward to the return of Turtles, and have definitely read Heroes Unlimited cover to cover, loving Bio-Ghosts and intangibility (just discovered Psi-Ghosts).

[Sounds like you’ve been plumbing the Megaverse® for a long while now. I’ll be reaching out to you privately in regard to your other question. – Kevin]

C.R. in Provo, Utah, writes: Keep up the great work. I’ve been a Palladium fan since TMNT hit the shelves.

[Awesome, C.R., and you can count it. Game on! – Kevin]

S.W. in Belleville, Illinois, writes: I love the works you have all put together. Thank you all for a great game system.

[Glad you enjoy it so much S.W., the best is yet to come. – Kevin]

B.H. in Pardeeville, Wisconsin, writes: Keep making cool stuff!

[Will do, B.H., I promise. – Kevin]

Bear the Gen-X GM who posts on the YouTube channel The Society of Role-Playing Gamers, wrote (in part): Hey gents! ... Side note, the Surprise Package box arrived! I am BLOWN away! Outstanding stuff gents, really impressive. Unboxing video on my channel — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7ogb9fwnmk — Thanks again, and I've said it before and I'll say it again, I would never have predicted 2024 would be the year I got into Palladium! Happy New Year! Peace, love, geek.

[You are very welcome, Bear, we hope you enjoy the books. We also said we’d plug your upcoming crowdfunding project. Looks like fans of Heroes Unlimited might enjoy your Heroic the Role-Playing Game. Cool and best of luck. I like the artwork. Remind us when it goes live and we’ll help spread the word further. For those of you interested, here is the link to the advance preview page. - Kevin]

https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/bcec219f-b5f6-4e8e-bbf0-f2cdf8457471/landing

© 2024 Palladium Books Inc. All Rights Reserved. Palladium Books®, Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, The Mechanoids®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, Powers Unlimited®, Splicers®, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb®, and all related titles, names and slogans are trademarks of Palladium Books.

TMNT © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

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

Sale final hours – Surprise Package Sale Ending – Palladium Books® – January 15, 2024

One game system – every genre – countless worlds – endless adventure

By Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson

- Get books at a 40-50% discount and autographs if you want them, and be surprised with exactly what you get.

- A great way to start the new year.

- Treat yourself and snuggle up with some RPGs and world books.

- Get presents for birthdays or anniversaries coming up in January, February, and March for the gamers in your life.

- Hmm, need Valentine’s Day gifts for a gamer? This may be perfect, but time is running out.

Final Hours – Palladium’s Surprise Package Sale ENDS after midnight January 15, 2024! Actually, you probably have till early tomorrow morning before Wayne gets around to taking the sale down, but time is of the essence. This sale will not return until next Christmas season.

Christmas Grab Bags

What is a Christmas Surprise Package?

A smile and a hug that comes in a box filled with signed game books from available Palladium staff and freelancers. It is our way of saying thank you for your support and showing you our love and appreciation. It’s a surprise because you never know exactly what you’re going to get or who will sign your books. This all makes it the best deal in gaming – $100+ worth of books for $60 plus shipping – all books signed if you request autographs. Physical books and other product (art prints, miniatures, bookmarks, T-shirts, pens, notepads, mouse pads, mugs, and more) at PDF prices for ALL Palladium RPG settings. What a fun way to start the New Year and stock up for gaming all winter long.

No other game company in the world offers a deal like this! No one. The Surprise Package offer has been extended to January 15, 2023. It will not be extended further. Please spread the word and enjoy.

A Surprise Package is a nice way to start the New Year, and is a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, and any gift-giving occasion. Or start the New Year with a stack of RPGs or sourcebooks you have been meaning to try, or the titles you need to fill holes in your collection, or replace battered well-loved books.

We extend the Surprise Package offer for those of you who have been so busy spending your time and money on your family and friends, that you have not had the opportunity or funds to treat yourself to a well-deserved Christmas Surprise Package.

We also extend it for those of you who cannot get enough of Palladium’s games and want to start the New Year off with a setting or source material to launch a new campaign. It’s also for those of you who can use a Surprise Package as the perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion coming up in January or February (Valentine’s Day?). So take advantage of this sale to gift the special gamer(s) in your life.

The extension is also for you Johnny Come-Latelies who were meaning to get one, but how time flies during the holidays. It’s also a way for those of you struggling through financial issues to carry some gaming fun into the New Year to stay busy and distracted through the winter months. So please, spread the word about the extended Surprise Package sale period, and travel the Megaverse® from the warmth and safety of your home.

Palladium Christmas Surprise Package

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

B.M.G. in Syracuse, New York, writes: Thanks for extending the Christmas Surprise Package. I usually buy one right after my birthday in November, but I didn’t.

[Happy birthday and new year, B.M.G. We’re glad you were able to get in under the wire to treat yourself. Enjoy. – Kevin]

D.W. in Parma, Ohio, writes: This is a huge nostalgia purchase for me. RPGs and sourcebooks to refresh and expand my library.

[Glad you got in under the wire, D.W., enjoy and create new lasting memories. – Kevin]

J.B.S. in Portland, Oregon, writes (in part): Rifts is my favorite ... I love the Palladium system and can see myself branching out into some of the other genres that I haven’t tried yet ... Thank you so much for extending the Surprise Package offer. I thought I missed out. I’m really happy that I was able to get in on the deal.

[We’re glad you got one in time too, J.B.S. I think you will enjoy whatever setting you try next. As you know]

J.M. in Huntsville, Texas, writes: Glad I was able to get one last second Surprise Package. Keep up the great work folks. Palladium is easily the best games developer on the market in any setting or genre. You don’t just claim to listen to your fans and customers, you actively do so and it shows. We appreciate you!

[We sure do listen, J.M., and we appreciate all of you. My personal goal for Palladium Books has always been: We don’t need to be the biggest game company, I want us to be the best. We are all thrilled that you think we have succeeded at that quest, and we’ll continue to do our best. Take care. – Kevin]

M.J. in Charleston, South Carolina, writes (in part): Guilty admission here, this is now my third Surprise Package in just over a month’s time. Lots of my high school days were spent playing Palladium’s games with friends ... NOTHING can compare to the adventures and fun we had ... I am usually a PC gamer in my very limited spare time, but even that has taken a backseat while I kick back and read these books. Not only are the game mechanics the best, but the lore and art is just fantastic. I cannot express how awesome you all are. Thank you very much for augmenting our imaginations with your books.

[My pleasure M.J., we love creating these worlds and characters. Thank you for finding the time to buy and read them. Game on. – Kevin]

B.S. in San Antonio, Texas, writes: This is my 7th X-Mas Surprise Package so far, and I only returned to Palladium at the end of November. I played Rifts® back in the 90s, but moved to other systems. Feel free to blame the guys at Legion of Myth [for my return]. It’s totally their fault.

[Whatever the reason, you must be enjoying the books, so welcome back, B.S. – Kevin]

R.M.L. in New Brunswick, Canada, writes: Happy holidays to Kevin and everyone at Palladium. Thank you for all the years of amazing games.

[Happy new Year, R.M.L., from all of us at Palladium. Happy you enjoy our games so much. Keep your imagination burning bright. – Kevin]

S.N. in Chesapeake, Virginia, writes: Surprise me!

[Well, S.N., thankfully you sent an excellent Wish List, so we will be able to do so. Enjoy and game on. – Kevin]

Palladium Christmas Surprise Package

© 2024 Palladium Books Inc. All Rights Reserved. Palladium Books®, Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, The Mechanoids®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, Powers Unlimited®, Splicers®, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb®, and all related titles, names and slogans are trademarks of Palladium Books.

TMNT © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

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

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Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Powers Unlimited®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars®, Chaos Earth®, Dead Reign®, and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. RPG Tactics™, Beyond the Supernatural, Coalition States, 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.

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