Palladium Books® Weekly Update – November 15, 2012

By Kevin Siembieda

I’m going to keep this another short Weekly Update. Everything is moving along and things are getting done on many fronts.

UPDATE: Robotech® Genesis Pits Sourcebook

Approvals have been coming in. Art for the book has started to come in as well, and it is looking great. Meanwhile, writing for the two UEEF Marine sourcebooks is also moving forward and things are moving in regard to the making of the Robotech® Tactical RPG and game pieces.

UPDATE: Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook

Writer Chris Kluge sent in the first half of his contribution to the book this week. I expect to go over it tomorrow. The second half of his contribution (dealing with Were-Jaguars) should be in our hands by Monday. The Vampires book is coming along and is going to be an excellent addition to Rifts Earth, especially as a companion to Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms and the New West/Lone Star/Arzno setting. It can be a nice stepping stone to South America as well.

UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun One and Two

Chuck Walton dropped off more artwork for the book, and got my approval for several vehicle designs. You will love these NG books.

UPDATE: The Rifter® #61

Wayne is still sorting through submissions. Amy Ashbaugh is doing the cover.

AVAILABLE NOW: Rifts® Logo T-Shirts in MOST SIZES

The Rifts® Logo T-shirt is back due to popular demand, in sizes Small to 5XL. See the full description elsewhere. And don’t forget about other Palladium T-shirts, coffee mugs, Rifts® dice bag and other good stuff.

FREE 2012-2013 Color Catalog of Palladium Books on DriveThruRPG.com

You can get the FREE PDF of our new, 48 page, color catalog from DriveThruRPG.com. The print edition (in black and white) arrived to the warehouse this week and is available by request. It will be dropped into most mail orders and Christmas Surprise Packages.

DriveThruRPG.com is also your place to get PDFs of older products and sneak previews of upcoming books. 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®, BTS™ and Palladium Fantasy® first edition rule books and sourcebooks. A sneak preview of Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook should also be coming soon. We have not forgotten about the PDF only editions of The Rifter® #0.1 and The Rifter® #0.2 – 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 (both written by Carl Gleba and complete with maps, combat matrix, character sheets, spell list, and 20 pre-rolled characters created by Julius Rosenstein; $5 each). Of course, there are FREE Sneak Previews of Rifts® Black Market, Endless Dead™, Rifts® Lemuria, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™, and Thundercloud Galaxy™, as well as 90+ out of print titles, including back issues of The Rifter®, and first edition rule books for Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Heroes Unlimited, The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy, and lots of other good things. ALL available as PDF downloads at reasonable prices. And there is MORE to come.

UPDATE: Online Sales

Hard to say how the week will shake out. It started out like gangbusters, with the best weekend sales we’ve seen in a while. A lot of Surprise Packages as well as regular orders. Then sales petered out, but picked up a bit. Will have to wait till Friday morning to see how the week ends.

Make sure you order in time for the Holidays

I can’t believe Thanksgiving (in the USA) and Black Friday are next week already. Man, the days are flying by fast. You still have plenty of time to order books and Surprise Packages as gifts for the holidays, but make sure you give yourself ample time.

Remember, the least expensive method of shipping in the USA is “Media Mail,” but it is also the slowest. By the time December hits, it can take 1-3 weeks to arrive and sometimes longer. Plus, it cannot be tracked. Only UPS provides up to the minute tracking. Right now, orders and Surprise Packages sent by any means will get to you in time for the holidays.

UPDATE: Christmas Surprise Package – BEST DEAL of the HOLIDAYS

I’ll keep saying it because it is true: The Palladium Christmas Surprise Package is the best deal of the season. Steep discount. No quantity limit. Autographs if you want them. Plus fun and surprises.

The Palladium Christmas Surprise Package gets you $85-$95 worth of Palladium product, autographs and fun for (in most cases in the USA and Canada) $45. These days, that’s the price of a core rule book or two supplements. How can you pass up such a deal?

It’s also a way for you to get original artwork, prints, out of print copies of The Rifter®, miniatures, T-shirts and other goodies. And it’s designed so you don’t know what you are getting, so you or the person you are ordering it for will be surprised.

It involves you sending Santa Kevin a “Wish List” of 10-12 different in-stock products and a flat payment (+ shipping and handling). I then hand-pick items from that Wish List and I may include product you didn’t ask for (hence the nickname, “X-Mas Grab Bag”), but all things I think you’ll enjoy, and we ship it all off to you. Gamers have been loving this special offer for 14 or 15 years now. Order one or several for yourself and for your gaming buddies. For the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or just to get cool stuff and signatures. Get all the information from the description in the online store.

Click here for complete details and to place your order.

Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store

We continue to add action figures, publications and Palladium collectibles to my online store. Take a look, there may be some items that are perfect as holiday gifts.

http://stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles

Spooky Success

I know I mentioned it in a Murmur, but I don’t think I announced it in a Weekly Update: Kathy’s and my efforts in creating our massive Halloween display paid off. We won First Place in the local cable provider’s Spooky House Contest. It was nice to see Kathy so tickled by the win. The prizes were pretty cool too, and included some fan-boy type collectibles and DVDs of popular TV cable shows.

A brief interview with me

I continue to try to post regular Murmurs from the Megaverse and make Facebook entries. One of my recent Murmurs is a short interview with me done for a student at a local college. I just wanted to mention it for those of you who might want to read it.

More interest from Hollywood

There has been an inquiry from a couple of new Hollywood gents about Rifts® for possible development in new markets. I can’t reveal who or what yet, and it may go nowhere, but it was certainly a fun conversation for me. No word from Disney or JBFilms regarding movement on the Rifts® movie. If only someone would move forward in a big way.

I think that’s it for this week. We are continuing to process orders and work toward releasing several new titles one after the other. Keep those imaginations burning bright and game on!

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer and Surrogate Santa

X-Mas Grab Bags

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

Every year there is a section where the customer can offer comments and suggestions with his or her Surprise Package order. Every year, in acknowledgment of our fans, and because they are fun to read, we offer a sampling in the Weekly Updates. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made 2012 a very good year for Palladium. Keep those imaginations burning bright, have a joyous holiday season and game on.

You have no idea how much your comments and support mean to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoy reading your brief comments. They always brighten our day. Thank you.

D.S. in Grafton, NSW, Australia, writes: Thank you for the X-Mas Surprise Package. It means that I can finally start my own collection. So glad my friend told me about this. Keep up the good work.

C.S. in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, writes: I am looking to get my three boys into roleplaying games, and I have fond memories of Palladium Books from the early 90s. They all love super heroes and I can’t think of a better place to start. The ability to branch out into other genres without changing the game system is very appealing. As they get older, we’ll be able to change things up without learning a whole new game. I’m getting sick of edition changes with other games, and I am looking forward to the stability offered by the Palladium game system.

A.B. in Richardson, Texas, writes: I have been playing Palladium games since a friend introduced me to them in 1996. I am trying to restock after most of my collection was destroyed in a flood. I want to thank you and the staff for showing a kid a new world and the places his imagination could take him.

T.D. in Port Orange, Florida, writes: You guys have been a part of my life since the 80s. Glad you made it through the rough patch and are coming back strong.

E.L. in Austin, Minnesota, writes: This will be the third Surprise Package I’ve gotten, and it never ceases to amaze me the goodness that comes packed inside.

C.J. in Johnson City, Tennessee, writes: My husband and I truly enjoy the rich depth of the Rifts® universe. I really appreciate that you continue to have this special every year. This will help make our Christmas extra special. Happy holidays to everyone at Palladium!

S.H. in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, writes: As always, you guys and gals rock and are doing a great job!! I hope more HU stuff starts coming out soon. This year I have 12 people playing the Palladium Fantasy RPG instead of D&D, and I know three have ordered Surprise Packages this year. Your game system and the way you present your books and listen to your fans has made getting people to play your games super easy. My wife and I hope that all of you have a merry X-Mas and another super year.

S.M. in Pasco, Washington, writes: Thank you for doing this every year and for keeping the games going. I have received so much enjoyment from your games over the years. And the number of people I have met because of them, that no amount of thank you could cover it. I ran a fun Beyond the Supernatural game just last night. Special Want: The phone number of a Blind Warrior Woman from Atlantis. :)

D.H. in Central City, Nebraska, writes: [I’m a] Gamer from back a few years; Original Robotech. Just getting my boys started playing. This is part of their X-Mas present. We love the products. Stay strong. We are with ya. Merry Christmas.

C.A. in Applegate, California, writes: This is my favorite time of year. You guys do such a good job. Love your work. Can’t wait to check out the new stuff. Thank you!

D.S. in Webster, New York, writes: Keep up the awesome work. Quality over quantity works for me. I like the crowdfunding methods.

D.G. in Ames, Iowa, writes: Love the work you guys do! It is appreciated. I look forward to many more years of playing Palladium’s games.

From Kevin Siembieda & staff to all of you. The Fates willing, we plan to be around for many more years creating the games, worlds and adventures you love. Thank you all, for your kind words and support. Happy holidays. - Kevin Siembieda

Rifts Logo T-Shirt

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® Logo T-Shirts in most sizes – available now

We’ve been asked over and over again to re-issue the popular Rifts® Logo T-shirt in sizes other than XL. We heard your requests, and here you go. Order yours today.

● The full Rifts® logo as created by artist Kevin Long, printed in white on a black T-shirt.

● Sizes Small to 5XL.

● 100% cotton – our usual quality T-shirt.

● Prices vary according to size:
Small: $18.95
Medium: $18.95
Large: $18.95
X-Large: $18.95
2XL: $20.95
3XL: $22.95
4XL: $24.95
5XL: $26.95

● Cat. No. TS804

● And don’t forget other fun T-Shirt designs like . . .

The Rifter #60

NEW! The Rifter® #60 – Available NOW!

The Rifter® Number 60 is another standout issue.

The Rifter #50

The Rifter® #50, Anniversary Special – Available NOW!

– back in print due to popular demand

You might think of The Rifter® #50 as a special “all-star” anniversary issue with official source material for Rifts®, Heroes Unlimited™, Nightbane® and many other Palladium RPG settings.

The Rifter® #50 includes:

Rifts Vampires Sourcebook

Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook – Coming Next!

I’m working on this bad boy right now! Unknown to most humans, deep within Mexico the vampires have established entire kingdoms. There they live like tyrants and gods, dominating an underclass of cattle people used as slaves and food stock. Learn more about the vampires, their rivals, allies and the humans who willingly serve their supernatural masters for a chance to join the undead. A must-have guide for those who wish to travel deeper into the Vampire Kingdoms or play as vampires and their human minions. In final production right now with art and text coming in and final editing and writing restarting next week.

Robotech Genesis Pits Sourcebook

Robotech® Genesis Pits Sourcebook

This is an epic sourcebook that takes an in-depth look at the Invid Genesis Pits, their purpose, function and the mutants and monsters they unleash. It is packed with good stuff that will put a grin on the faces of Robotech fans.

Rifts Black Market Gold Hardcover

Rifts® Black Market Hardcover

Gold Contraband Edition – Available now!

Everything you want to know about the Black Market of Rifts® North America presented inside a pair of gorgeous black leatherette covers. Gold foil embossing on front cover and spine. Historically, gold collector editions only increase in value on the collector’s market, and often quickly. This is the lowest number of a Collector’s Gold Edition that Palladium has ever printed.

Rifts Black Market

Rifts® Black Market – Softcover Edition – Available now

See what everyone is talking about and order yours today. Rifts® Black Market™ is an epic, 192 page sourcebook that contains a wealth of information about the inner workings of the Black Market, the Five Factions, new Bandito Arms/Black Market weapons and gear, how to make any O.C.C. a Black Marketeer, special abilities of the Black Marketeer, criminal enterprises, Black Market loans, merc and crime jobs, and much more. This book has it all. AND best of all, a lot of it can be easily adapted to just about any world setting, not just Rifts Earth.

Rifts Northern Gun One

Rifts® World Book 33: Northern Gun One

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® 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.

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.

‘Tis the season for zombies! Dead Reign Zombie RPG.

Everyone I’ve ever talked to who has tried this game loves it, especially if they had a thing for post-apocalyptic games and zombies to begin with. Fans of zombies, horror and apocalyptic settings really should give this RPG a try. – Kevin Siembieda

Dead Reign RPG

Dead Reign RPG – ideal introductory role-playing game

Think you know zombies? Think again.

Can you survive in a world where the dead have risen and feed upon the living? Battle zombies, mad men and death cultists in a post-apocalyptic where world the last of humanity struggles to survive.

Dead Reign™ RPG is the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse. Civilization is gone, the dead reign, and the living fight to survive against impossible odds. Tales of zombies, human survival and horror as a fast-paced, easy to learn game and sourcebooks.

Civilization Gone

Civilization Gone – Dead Reign Sourcebook One

It has been months since the dead rose to attack the living. Civilization has crumbled. There is no army, no government, no help coming. You are on your own and things are only getting worse.

Dark Places

Dark Places – Dead Reign Sourcebook Two

Secrets of survival, including using railroad tracks and the urban underground to travel unseen and undetected by zombies.

Endless Dead

Endless Dead – Dead Reign Sourcebook 3

The zombie hordes grow in number and strangeness. Can humankind survive? Where is the military?

What’s next?

The following are in development:

Recent Product Releases – available now

Rifts Dice Bag - Black

Rifts® Dice Bag

– Back in print – Available now

Everyone at Palladium has a Rifts® Dice Bag, shouldn’t you? It is a good size, sturdy, drawstring bag made of imitation black velvet emblazoned with the famous Rifts® logo in gold. 

Rifts Mystic Russia

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® World Book 18: Mystic Russia

– Available now

Russian mythology and magic come to life in this fan favorite Rifts® World Book. The book includes all kinds of demons, monsters, new magic character classes (O.C.C.s), and nine different types of gypsies – some of whom are adventurers, others mystics and mages, some psychics and one is even a beguiling shape-shifter. Plus more background about Russia and the Sovietski.

Rifts Coalition Wars 1: Sedition

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® Coalition Wars® One: Sedition

– Available now

Magic vs Technology. The infamous Coalition/Siege on Tolkeen story arc starts with this 160 page sourcebook. Not only does it lay the groundwork for the Coalition’s all-out siege on the kingdom of magic, but it includes a vast number of Techno-Wizard weapons and vehicles, powerful magic artifacts, demons, monsters, magic and a historic Crisis Time-Line from 12 P.A. to 106 P.A.

Rifts Coalition Wars 2: Coalition Overkill

BACK IN PRINT: Rifts® Coalition Wars® Two: Coalition Overkill

– Available now

The Siege on Tolkeen goes into full swing as the Coalition Army makes the first devastating attacks on Tolkeen. Coalition Generals, Special Forces squads, and strategies are presented with a wealth of adventure ideas.

Rifts Coalition Wars 4: Cyber-Knights

Rifts® Coalition Wars® Four: Cyber-Knights

– Available now

We didn’t want you to forget about this excellent sourcebook in the series. The Coalition’s siege on Tolkeen has had a devastating impact on people across North America. None have been more affected than the Cyber-Knights. This sourcebook reveals not only the history and secrets of the Cyber-Knights, but the schism the war has created among the fabled warriors.

Rifts Xiticix Invasion

Rifts® World Book 23: Xiticix Invasion

– Back in print – Available now

Earth is home to thousands of alien species from beyond the Rifts. One of the strangest and most dangerous is the Xiticix. A danger nobody seemed to realize until the sprawling Hivelands began to encroach on the territories of other people. Armed with new breeds of aggressive warriors, new weapons and legions of insectoids willing to fight to the death, people are beginning to wonder if they are the next threat to humanity.

Rifts Triax Two

Rifts® World Book 31: Triax Two

– Back in print – Available now

The war between the people of the New German Republic and the Gargoyle Empire rages on, but only the heroes of the NGR seem to be getting the upper hand. See where things stand in the year 109 P.A. and get a closer look at the NGR Army, government, society and people. This World Book also presents the latest weapons, combat vehicles, power armor and robots of the NGR as well as commercial vehicles, robot helpers, and more.

Rifts Sourcebook 2: The Mechanoids

Rifts® Sourcebook Two: The Mechanoids®

– Back in Print – Available now

Archie 3 and Hagan Lonovich are two of the most beloved villains (anti-heroes?) in the Rifts Earth setting. This sourcebook highlights their strange relationship, plots and blunders. One of which is inadvertently unleashing The Mechanoids® into the world!

The Mechanoids have one driving goal: To destroy all humanoid life! This book has it all. Source material, the Mechanoids, new equipment, monsters, adventure and cryptic prophecies.

Other Recent Releases

New! Rifts® PencilCat. No. 2561 – 50 cents per each pencil. People love this item and often buy them in sets of 10. Enjoy.

New! Palladium Fantasy RPG® Coffee Mug – red on a black, 15.5 ounce mug – Cat. No. 2560 – $10.00.

New! Dead Reign™: “Survive or Die Trying” T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2556 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

New! Rifts® Wilk’s Laser Technologies™ Logo T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2557 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

New! Imagination Unleashed T-Shirt – black image on a red T-shirt – No. 2558 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

New! Rifts® Northern Gun™ Logo T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2559 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

Property of the Coalition™ T-Shirt – Cat. No. 2528 – price varies with size: Medium: $18.95, Large: $18.95, XL: $18.95, 2XL: $20.95, 3XL: $22.95, 4XL: $24.95, 5XL: $26.95

Back in Print – Available Now

New Rifts® Miniatures

The following new Rifts® miniatures have never before been released by Palladium Books.

MI8021 – Rifts® Shadow Beast – $12.00

MI8022 – Rifts® Mystic Knight – $6.00

MI8023 – Rifts® Lord Magus – $6.00

MI8024 – Rifts® High Magus – $6.00

MI8025 – Rifts® Coalition Psi-Stalker (new-style Dead Boy armor) – $6.00

MI8026 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy in DPM-D1 Armor – $6.00

MI8027 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #2 (with energy rifle) – $6.00

MI8028 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #3 (with rifle and Vibro-Knife) – $6.00

MI8029 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #4 (German Shepherd with rifle and Vibro-Claws) – $6.00

MI8030 – Rifts® Coalition Dog Boy #5 (Bulldog with energy rifle and Vibro-Claws) – $6.00

Classic Rifts® Miniatures – Back in stock

The following favorite Rifts® miniatures are back in stock. Some, like the Glitter Boy, have sold on the collector’s market for as much as $50-$120. They are being re-released for the first time in a decade.

MI8031 – Rifts® Glitter Boy Power Armor – $20.00; this is a large, heavy figure.

MI8032 – Rifts® Glitter Boy Pilot – $6.00

MI8033 – Rifts® Kydian Overlord (Atlantis) – $20.00; this is a large, heavy figure.

MI8034 – Rifts® Dragonsaurus (Atlantis) – $10.00

MI8035 – Rifts® Slaver and Slave (Atlantis); 2 figs, no plastic bases – $10.00

MI8036 – Rifts® Crazy – $6.00

MI8037 – Rifts® Juicer #1 (with laser pistol) – $6.00

MI8038 – Rifts® Juicer #2 (with Vibro-Sword) – $6.00

MI8039 – Rifts® Cyborg #1 (with Rail Gun) – $12.00

MI8040 – Rifts® Cyborg #2 (with gun hands) – $12.00

MI8041 – Rifts® Cyborg #3 – $6.00

MI8042 – Rifts® Coalition Officer (old armor) – $6.00

MI8043 – Rifts® Coalition Grunt #1 (old armor) – $6.00

MI8044 – Rifts® Coalition Grunt #2 (old armor) – $6.00

MI8045 – Rifts® Coalition Grunt #3 (old armor) – $6.00

Palladium Convention Calendar

Anime North – May 24-26, 2013 – Toronto, Canada

Speaking of which, have I mentioned that I will be one of the guests at Anime North in Toronto next year? Well, I will. The event takes place Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, 2013. This will be my first time back at a convention in Canada in something like 15 years. Too long. www.animenorth.com

Gen Con® Indy – August 15-18, 2013 – Indianapolis, Indiana

Oh yeah, we can hardly wait for Gen Con next year. We may even need to expand the size of our booth.

Note: No Palladium Open House in 2013 and right now, there are no plans for one in 2014.

© Copyright 2012 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, Warpath, 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.