Palladium Books® Weekly Update – August 9, 2012

By Kevin Siembieda

Whew, it has been a whirlwind of activity this week. There’s a lot happening, so read, enjoy and be positive.

I’m telling you, Palladium is getting stronger every day, especially in the Creative Department.

Amy L. Ashbaugh did a great job on Rifts® Black Market and she will be doing a lot more work in upcoming books.

Mike Wilson contacted me yesterday to say he’s looking to do a pile of art for upcoming books. I hope to send him some assignments before the weekend!

I still owe poor Wayne Breaux Jr. a telephone call. I’ve just been soooo busy and/or tired with everything going on, and I want to talk to Wayne when I’m at least semi-conscious. I’m dying to get caught up with him and see if we can get Mr. Breaux to do some art for Palladium again. I still dream about his and Mike Wilson’s designs for Chaos Earth™.

I have E.M. Gist working on the next Dead Reign™ sourcebook cover and John Zeleznik on the next Rifter® cover.

Nick Bradshaw is chomping at the bit to start work on Megaverse in Flames™ and Chuck Walton continues to hammer out amazing mech designs for Northern Gun. And Mike Mumah . . . well, he’s Mike Mumah. :)

Even as you read this, Allen and Brian Manning are working on art for Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook. As soon as they are done, I’m going to get them to work on the Robotech® Genesis Pits interior art. Ben Rodriguez and Mike Wilson, too.

Yep, we’ve got a lot going on all the time, don’t we?

Gen Con Indy is next week – Palladium is Booth #1125

I’m not ready. I need another two weeks! Nah, I wish we had more new book releases, but we have a ton of “back in print” titles, 100 advance copies of Rifts® Black Market and a number of other cool things, like prints, original art, some out of print books, bookmarks, and other things. It will be fun and I hope we sell a boat-load of product! I’m working on the layout and design of the booth today and hope to finish tomorrow. I’m also waiting for a quote from a printer on some display pieces.

This year’s line-up of Palladium creators at the Gen Con Booth #1125 includes:

Three books back in stock – they ship August 14, 2012

The following three books are back in print and available for order right now. They ship next Tuesday, August 14.

Other books back in print in 2012:

Rifts Black Market

UPDATE: Rifts® Black Market – Ships August 21, 2012

Writer Matthew Clements and I drove to the printer yesterday to approve the digital proofs of Rifts® Black Market. They looked great and the book is on track for an August 21 ship date. Matt had sequestered himself away the past two months to work on a movie screenplay for a major Hollywood film company (no, it is not Rifts®, it is a personal project). That meant he had been away during the final production of Rifts® Black Market, so this was Matt’s first opportunity to see the finished book. I’m happy to report, Matthew was blown away by the final product, just like everyone who sees it – and he wrote half of it! Note: We’ll only have 100 copies of Rifts® Black Market (with me, Matthew, Chuck and Wayne available to sign the book) at Gen Con Indy, so if you want one, swing by early.

UPDATE: Free Rifts® Black Market Sneak Preview available NOW at DriveThruRPG.com

As promised, Wayne posted the FREE Rifts® Black Market Sneak Preview up on DriveThruRPG.com last Saturday. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? It’s free, fun and you get the complete description and stats for the Shadow Boy. Activity at this site has remained strong and it is your place to get PDFs of older product 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 plan to add a few more items in the coming months that should please Palladium gamers. We are also planning to move forward with 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.

Don’t forget, 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 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: Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook

This is the next book to go to the printer. Matthew Clements is working on a few additions, Mark Dudley is working on a few illustrations, and I plan to send more art to Mike Wilson this weekend. This is another book that is going to surprise and please Rifts® fans, and may get expanded in size.

UPDATE: Rifts® Northern Gun One and Two

They are next. Chuck continues to do artwork, and I’ll be assigning art to other artists soon.

UPDATE: Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames

I had a good discussion with Nick Bradshaw about this book and will be sending him his initial art assignment over the weekend!

UPDATE: Robotech®

I had an excellent telephone conversation with Irvin Jackson about upcoming Robotech® sourcebooks. Robotech® Genesis Pits™ will go into final production after Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook, and Irvin is working away on two new books right now, including the Robotech® UEEF Marines sourcebook. My goal is to support Robotech® in a big a way. In addition to our plans to produce Robotech® game pieces for the mecha and spaceships, we want to see more sourcebooks. Robotech® Genesis Pits™ Sourcebook will be out this Fall (see the new description for it in this Weekly Update). I want to see at least two other sourcebooks out before spring and more to follow. In fact, I’m looking to find a couple more writers for the line.

UPDATE: Splicers®

I seem to have created a bit of a stir when I mentioned in a recent Murmur that I hope to release 4-7 new sourcebooks for Splicers® next year. I have material for at least 3 sourcebooks right now, with 3-4 more in development. But here’s the thing, I’m working to get new releases out for many of Palladium’s other game lines.

I know it may not seem like it, looking in from the outside, but I have been putting things in place to see many of our game lines supported. I want to see new releases next year for Splicers® (3 manuscripts in hand), Robotech® (one manuscript in hand, three others in development), Chaos Earth™ (two manuscripts in hand), Palladium Fantasy® (one manuscript in hand, two others being developed), and Beyond the Supernatural™ (three in development). Fear not, there will be Rifts® titles too, but I want to see many of our other settings get some much deserved love. I wish we could get some great manuscripts for Heroes Unlimited™ and Nightbane®, too.

Find out more in Murmurs from the Megaverse®

I continue to post behind the scenes information and updates on a daily basis as Murmurs from the Megaverse®. I try to make sure the Murmurs have details and info that goes beyond what appears in the Weekly Update, and/or I report events as they are happening. They’re fun, and people are enjoying them, so I’ll keep ‘em coming. While I like to post Murmurs in the morning, sometimes I’m so busy first thing in the A.M. that I forget or don’t have time, so a few have appeared in the afternoon lately. Sorry. I’ll try to stick to the morning routine. I always link to my Murmurs on the Palladium Books Facebook Page and while I’m there I like to make a few comments on various threads and topics, so you’re getting a daily double dose of me.

UPDATE: Online Sales

I’m happy to report that online sales have remained steady and strong. I’m sure getting fan favorite books back in print has helped, as well as getting Rifts® Black Market to the printer. Please, keep the orders and pre-orders coming. Remember, you don’t get charged for a pre-order until the book is ready to ship.

UPDATE: Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store – selling like crazy

You keep buying and we’ll try to keep tossing items up on this store. Of course, I am finally starting to run out of items I had tucked away, and that includes Palladium Collectibles like the Rifts® Machinations of Doom Gold hardcover, Rifts® RPG Silver hardcovers, BTS Gold, Rifts® Ultimate Gold, Erick Wujcik’s Amberzines, and other items, all of which I have only a dozen or fewer to offer. That’s why we continue to dole them out one at a time. I have been putting up copies of the two Rifts® Lemuria hardcovers as well. These are super-limited and the books in the store are part of the approximately 200 copies printed for each of these books. If you recall, Palladium prints 48 extra of the color cover edition and 24 of the foil collector’s edition. Staff and friends got a few, and what’s left we’ve been putting up in the store and making available in charity auctions. Once they are sold out, they are GONE! Other collectibles include first printings of books, signed books, proofreader copies of books, original artwork, and other collectible odds and ends.

There are also a large number of collectible toys and action figures in my online store. All are from my personal collection. More toys and collectibles are added on a weekly basis.

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

I hope you enjoyed reading about all the exciting developments happening at Palladium Books. I hope we’ll see a lot of Palladium fans at Gen Con Indy next week. By the way, saw the new Batman movie. I loved it and highly recommend it. The new Amazing Spider-Man movie too (it’s as good as the Sam Raimi flicks). Have a great weekend and game on!

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher

Rifts Mystic Russia

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

– Ships Next Tuesday – August 14

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

– Ships Next Tuesday – August 14

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

– Ships Next Tuesday – August 14

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 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 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.

The Rifter #59

NEW! The Rifter® #59 – Available now

The Rifter® Number 59 examines the deadly, the weird and the magical. Much of the material is suitable for use in multiple settings or easy to adapt. Enjoy.

The Rifter® #59 includes:

Rifts Black Market

Rifts® Black Market – A 192 page Rifts® Sourcebook

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 Vampires Sourcebook

Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook

In final production 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.

Rifts Northern Gun One

Rifts® World Book 33: Northern Gun One – New

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 – New

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

Robotech® Genesis Pits Sourcebook

An in-depth look at the Invid Genesis Pits, their purpose, function and the creatures they create.

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.

What’s next?

The following are in development:

Recent Product Releases – available now

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.

Rifts Coalition Wars 4: Cyber-Knights

Cyber-Knights: A Rifts® Coalition Wars® Sourcebook:

– Back in Print – Available now

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.

Dead Reign Sourcebook 3: Endless Dead

Dead Reign Sourcebook 3: Endless Dead – Available now

Endless Dead™ is a new 96 page sourcebook that will send your Dead Reign™ campaign in new directions or add depth (and zombies). What are you waiting for? Order your copy today. And if you haven’t taken a look at the Dead Reign™ RPG yet, but love zombies, you need to give this dynamic game a try.

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

© 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.