Palladium Books® Weekly Update – December 6, 2012

By Kevin Siembieda

We have been on a tear at Palladium to get product finished and to the printer. And our work over the past several months is starting to pay off in that regard.

UPDATE: Robotech®: The Genesis Pits Sourcebook – ships next week Friday

Robotech®: The Genesis Pits™ Sourcebook was finished and sent to the printer on Monday. The book topped out at 112 pages, making it a bigger, better book at no additional cost to you. Still $16.95 retail. Our printer was able to rush the printing for us and we should have Robotech®: The Genesis Pits™ Sourcebook ready to ship by December 14, 2012! As always, pre-orders get processed and shipped out the day the books arrive. That means many of you should get it before Christmas, and those who select UPS Ground will get it in time for certain.

A number of Robotech® fans outside of Palladium staff have seen the book and have gone wild over it. Always a good sign. There is a wealth of new material that I think fans will be very happy with getting.

(A personal aside: I find it somehow special and befitting for the holidays that Genesis Pits will ship on December 14, 2012. You see, that’s my Dad’s birthday. It’s also the night of the Palladium Christmas party and I feel like Dad will be there with us and bringing Mom, Erick, Kevin Lowry, Uncle Skip, Aunt Jo, Aunt Lottie, Alex’s Dad and so many others we’ve lost in recent years. They will certainly be there with us in our hearts.)

UPDATE: Robotech® Tactical RPG

Contracts have been finalized and signed! Now all parties will be putting development and production into high gear! Robotech® 1/285th scale game pieces, here we come.

UPDATE: Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook

Some books take on a life of their own and carry even the writer(s) into directions he didn’t anticipate. This is one of those books and, wow, what a journey. You are going to love this book. Working away on it every day.

UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun One

Chuck and I met on Tuesday to review the last of his art contributions to the book and it is jaw-dropping good. He’s putting in the final details and I should get it all done by tomorrow. I think when people see the final product they will have the same reaction they had when they first saw Rifts® Atlantis™ or Triax™ & the NGR. You’ll also see why it took so long to do it justice. I can hardly wait till I can focus all my attention on finishing both NG books.

UPDATE: The Rifter® #61

Wayne’s making his final selections and I’ll be assigning out artwork in a few days.

In time for Christmas: Aliens Unlimited - Wolfen Empire - Rifts® Japan

We sold the last four copies of HU2 Aliens Unlimited™ at the start of the week, and Wolfen Empire™ and Rifts® Japan™ are both down to the last 6-7 copies each. Fear not! We sent all three in for a special short run reprinting and they will be back on the shelves in the Palladium warehouse by the end of next week. We’re on top of it.

Advance Preview of Rifts® Northern Gun One on DriveThruRPG.com

People seem quite pleased with the Rifts® Northern Gun™ One advance preview. It’s up on DriveThruRPG.com as a FREE download. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out. It’s a fun teaser. There are FREE sneak previews of other Palladium titles as well.

DriveThruRPG.com is a way to get out of print and first edition RPGs as PDFs, as well as a way to preview upcoming releases and select titles before you make your purchase. Palladium’s new, FREE PDF, 48 page, color catalog is also available from DriveThruRPG.com. The print edition of the catalog (in black and white) is available upon request and 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

With the Christmas Surprise Package special in full swing and Christmas just around the corner, sales have gone from strong to red hot. A good thing too, because time is running out to order your Surprise Package and get it in time for Christmas! In fact, this is the last weekend to place an order at the lowest shipping rates and still – probably – get your Christmas Surprise Package in time for the holidays. We do this limited time, special offer every year for you. Our way of showing our appreciation and saying thank you. See below for details.

YOUR LAST WEEKEND to order at the lowest shipping rates and still get it in time for Christmas – Surprise Package Offer ENDS in 2½ weeks – December 24, 2012 – Order this weekend!

1. The Christmas Surprise Package offer ends December 24, 2012.

2. Order this weekend and you can still use the less expensive shipping methods and get your Surprise Package in time for Christmas – GUARANTEED. This is true of UPS Ground, faster UPS methods, Parcel Post, and Priority Mail in the USA, and International Priority for Canada. Most overseas orders placed over the next 5-6 days sent Priority Mail International should arrive before Christmas (if they aren’t held up at customs), but we cannot absolutely guarantee it.

Shipping guidelines to arrive in time for Christmas:

To our friends in Canada and overseas – this is the last weekend to order and be assured you will get your Surprise Package (or any order) in time for Christmas; barring delays by customs. Happy Holidays one and all!

WARNING: Media Mail. Yes, Media Mail is the least expensive way to ship, but during the holiday season we found Media Mail to take anywhere from 5-30 days to arrive. We CANNOT guarantee any package sent via Media Mail to arrive before Christmas. FYI: The US Post Office will NOT guarantee a Christmas delivery via Media Mail as of right NOW. However, the odds (60% chance) are still in your favor, provided you place your Media Mail order by this Monday. If you NEED THE SURPRISE PACKAGE BY CHRISTMAS do not use Media Mail.

We strongly recommend UPS Ground as the most reliable method of shipping and tracking. You can order through December 16, via UPS Ground and still get your Surprise Package in the USA.

The best bargain of the holidays

$85-$95 worth of product for only about $45 or so in every Palladium Christmas Surprise Package! These days, that’s the price of a core rule book or two supplements. And sometimes the crazy Publisher includes more even value than that!

Autographs in every book in your Surprise Package, upon request if you want them. For many gamers this is the only way for them to get signed books.

Get original artwork. The inclusion of art is considered only for those who request it, and depending on the size, subject and quality of the art, you may only get the art and one or two other items. (The typical piece of original art is 8 ½ x 11 and has a value of $30-$60.)

Get other goodies like limited edition prints, posters, back issues of The Rifter®, game settings you’ve been meaning to try, T-shirts, coffee mugs, bookmarks, magnets, Chi-Town Library pencils, and other Palladium goodies.

A great gift for ALL gift-giving occasions – Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, birthdays, anniversaries, and so on.

It’s a surprise, like a real present, because you never know exactly what you are going to get and it is packed with love!

Placing your Surprise Package order 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.

Time is running out – Christmas Surprise Package offer ends in just over two weeks – December 24, 2012

Click here for complete details and to place your order.

Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store

A couple copies of Rifts® Machinations of Doom Gold Edition (#62 and #72) at discount prices and other good stuff have been added to the store. And 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

UPDATE: Odds and Ends

I’m working to keep everything else flowing and production moving. I had an excellent meeting with writer Matthew Clements and later that evening, with artist Mark Dudley. Both also signed 100+ books for Christmas Surprise Packages. Chuck Walton did likewise when he was in on Tuesday. I also drove out to the printer to approve the printed digital proof of the cover and interior pages of Robotech®: The Genesis Pits™ Sourcebook – the book looks great. And signing, packing, and shipping a lot of books for Christmas Surprise Packages. Keep those imaginations burning and Happy Holidays.

– 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.

Your brief comments, suggestions and support mean a lot to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoys reading your comments. They always brighten our day. Thank you.

M.B. in Livermore, California, writes: I have been following Palladium Books since I ran across the original Ninja Turtles® RPG and have loved the quality of the material since. By far this is my favorite gaming company.

M.P. in Akron, Ohio, writes: My favorite time of year! Thank you, Kevin, for yet another opportunity to be blown away [with a Surprise Package]. My only suggestion is to keep on kicking @$$! I love Palladium Books. Playing these games is the best escape from my hectic life. Thank you, and I will continue to “Game On!”

Z.M. in Tulsa, Oklahoma, writes: This special offer is great. While I like to support my local game shop, you can’t beat a deal like this!

J.N. in Greeley, Colorado, writes (in part): I got too impatient waiting for my last order. Might as well continue shopping while I wait! After more than a decade away from Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing, there’s certainly enough holes to fill. Last, I’m not sure whether to curse you, or applaud your marketing genius. You hooked me by inserting The Rifter® #57 in my last Grab Bag. I’ve since subscribed and would like to fill in the back issues.

D.B. in Dayton, Ohio, writes (in part): Six years running, Kevin and the team have blown my socks off. I’m a collector at heart, so the signed books with special notes are always my best presents. Thanks again Palladium team!

J.C. in Phoenix, Arizona, writes (in part): I started playing Rifts® originally, but when I was introduced to Heroes Unlimited™ I fell in love with that part of the Megaverse®.

G.I. in Christiansburg, Virginia, writes: Thanks again guys. This is my second bundle purchased this year!

C.S. in Birmingham, Alabama, writes: Merry Christmas, everyone! This is my fourth year in a row doing this package and it has consistently been a great gift every year. You guys rock!

J.F. in Hampton, Georgia, writes: I’ve been playing Rifts® and Palladium for 20 years. Keep up the fantastic work and have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Bless you all.

B.G. in Anchorage, Alaska, writes: I don’t think I have ever been disappointed by the Surprise Package. Thanks for keeping a simple gamer happy every year.

T.W. in Annapolis, Maryland, writes: You guys are the best for doing this! I love this sale and your games.

N.J. in Jarratt, Virginia, writes: Keep up the great work and have a Merry Christmas. Thank you.

N.B. in Bellevue, Nebraska, writes (in part): Hello Guys, first, I just want to let you know that I love your games very much. I’ve been playing your games since 1994 starting with the Palladium Fantasy® setting, and later moving into the Rifts® setting which would become my and many of my friends’ favorite game. Thanks again, fellas, and keep up the good work.

T.R. in San Diego, California, writes: I would like to see writers producing more novels, short fiction collections and Palladium breaking into the digital comic market. Rifts® is unique and I think there is a lot of source material to fit any market niche.

J.J. in Waterloo, Canada, writes: Please keep up the good work. Get those books out for us to buy.

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 games!

M.R. in Fayetteville, North Carolina, writes: Thanks a lot for years of this for the fans!

S.D. in Omaha, Nebraska, writes: Just keep being awesome!

From Kevin Siembieda & staff to all of you. Take advantage of the Grab Bag offer, but yes, please support your local game shops! There are too few of them as it is. T.R., I have been talking about doing all those things (digital comics, more fiction, videogames, etc.) for years. I agree with you completely. As Palladium gets stronger you’ll be seeing more of all those things. J.J., we’re on it – new books are on the way. Our thanks to EVERYONE who says such nice things, offers suggestions and sends us prayers, blessings and warm wishes. The same right back at you. Happy holidays. :) - Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium Crew

Robotech Genesis Pits Sourcebook

Robotech® Genesis Pits Sourcebook – Ships December 14, 2012

Done and at the printer. This is a truly epic sourcebook that takes an in-depth look at the Invid Genesis Pits, their purpose, function, the mutants and monsters they unleash and the dangers they pose for non-Invid. It is jam-packed with never before seen source material, mutations, mutation tables (so you can generate your own Genesis Pit monsters and characters) and more.

Rifts Vampires Sourcebook

Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook – Coming Next!

In final production right now!

Deep within Mexico 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.

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 Three

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

Back in Print and Great Gift Ideas

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 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 . . .

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.

Other Notable Products

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

What’s to come?

The following are in development:

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

Upcoming Appearances

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.