Palladium Books® Press Release – December 2, 2005
By Kevin Siembieda
Where is new product?
I wish I could tell you that something was coming out next week or even in the next 3 or 4, but there is not.
I’m afraid our schedule is out of whack, yet again, and for that I apologize. Regrettably, it was unavoidable.
Why?
There were many things that got in the way of scheduling this year. One involved theft by an employee. There will be more on that elsewhere, because some of you Internet traveling maniacs “may” be able to help us recover some of the stolen goods. This character’s actions caused plenty of emotional distress and frustration. They also created delays and some cash flow problems.
No, not enough to put us out of business, thank goodness, but enough to steal away a few months of valuable time investigating, talking to attorneys and police, and dealing with numerous related issues. It has not been fun dealing with this situation.
Many other delays this year involved illness and death. My girlfriend lost someone who was like a second mother to her. Another friend lost his mother to cancer, and a few weeks later found out his stepfather also has cancer, and then a couple months later he had to deal with an unexpected illness himself. Around the same time another dear friend had a (thankfully minor but scary) bout with cancer, and another friend’s mother is locked in a continuing battling with cancer. Meanwhile, yet another friend’s father was diagnosed with cancer, and then there was the death of my friend, Keith Parkinson. On top of that, yet another couple of friends are dealing with unexpected divorces and then my own Dad suffered a loss in his extended family, and during the week of Thanksgiving he was rushed to the Emergency Room with agonizing back pain and vomiting. I’m delighted to report that my Dad is fine after surgery to remove a kidney stone. He’s back to work this week at the Palladium warehouse signing books for Grab Bags and helping to ship mail orders.
Some of the people noted above are freelancers and their situation has delayed the books they are working on, or they are taking a sabbatical from game design. All of them are my friends and loved ones, and I have taken time to talk, visit and console them whenever I can. This cluster of events (many heaped into the last four months) have worn me down a bit.
It’s hard to write, especially in an entertaining way, when you are feeling blue. Though I’m loath to admit it, I’ve been in a writing slump for the last two or three months. This bugs the heck outta me, because I NEVER get writer’s block for more than a week or two, and then maybe only once in the entire year. Even friendly competitors jokingly refer to me as “The Machine.” Unfortunately, this machine is running at half speed lately. I think it all kinda caught up with me and I just can’t seem to write as well as I should. Sorry.
Strangely enough, my mind has been overflowing with ideas. I mean all kinds of ideas, and dozens and dozens of them. Big ideas and small ideas, fun ideas and challenging and innovative ones. Having so many ideas bouncing around inside my noggin doesn’t help my ability to write either. In fact, I’m writing this Press Release myself along with the 2006 Release Schedule (planned with extra care so that we “should” be able to actually meet most of our release dates), online contests, the Palladium Open House announcement and offering up some of Palladium’s 25th Anniversary plans with the hope that once I share them with you, I can focus and get back to writing! Normally, we’d wait till January to make these announcements, but what-the-hey. I’m not revealing everything we’re working on or planning, but it should be enough to create plenty of excitement.
Thanks for letting me vent, and thank you for your patience and understanding about the delays. I’m starting to feel a little more upbeat with the holiday season approaching, and doing the X-Mas Grab Bags always puts a smile on my face. I hope to dive back into writing tomorrow. As always, I promise that when these books come out, they will have been worth the wait. There is a dynamic energy at the Palladium offices and among our freelancers that promises to create some amazing works in 2006. Read on to learn more.
– Kevin Siembieda, President
Palladium’s 2006 Product Schedule
Please note that a number of out of print books may be slotted into the release schedule along with a couple of Heroes Unlimited™ and Palladium Fantasy RPG® titles (although right now, it looks like most Fantasy titles will be out in the Fall). All dates listed are “ship dates” from Palladium to mail order and distributors. The book will appear in stores 1-2 weeks after that date.
January 2006
Rifts® WB 2: Rifts® Atlantis – back in print – 160 pages, $17.95 retail – January 5, 2006.
Rifts® WB 27: Adventures in Dinosaur Swamp™ – new by Siembieda and Yoho (and introducing the amazing art of Jeffery Russell) – 160 pages – $17.95 retail – January 10.
The Rifter® #33 – new – 96 pages, $9.95 retail – January 16.
February 2006
The Best of The Rifter® - A Palladium Books 25th Anniversary Special (free for subscribers) and includes a comprehensive index for issues 1-33 – 128 pages – $12.95 retail – February 15.
Tome Grotesque™ (for Beyond the Supernatural™) – new by Kevin Siembieda – 160 pages – $18.95 retail – February 27.
March 2006
GAMA Trade Show – March 13-16, 2006 – see some of you there.
Rifts® WB 28: Arzno™ – Vampire Incursion™ – new by Jason Richards – 160 pages – $18.95 retail – March 16.
The John Zeleznik Collector’s Rifts® Coloring Book™ – A Palladium Books 25th Anniversary Special – 48 pages – $5.95 retail – March 24.
April 2006
Rifts® WB 29: Madhaven™ – new by Brandon Aten & Taylor White – 128 pages – $14.95 retail – April 7.
The Rifter® #34 & Summer Catalog – new – 128 pages – $9.95 retail – April 21.
May 2006
Palladium Open House – May (5) 6 & 7, 2006 – hope to see a lot of you there!!!
E3 May 9-12, 2006 (tentative).
Powers Unlimited™ 3 – new by Carmen Bellaire – 96 pages – $13.95 retail – May 25.
June 2006
Beyond Arcanum – new by Kevin Siembieda and Todd Yoho – 192 pages – $22.95 retail – June 16.
Rifts® & Other Worlds – The Art of John Zeleznik – new by John Zeleznik – full color, hardcover collection of John’s work for Palladium Books (includes concept sketches, and never before seen color roughs) – 128 pages of full color – $25.95 – June 30.
July 2006
The Rifter® #35 – new - our first Swimsuit Spectacular! – 96 pages – $9.95 retail – July 20.
Rifts® Dimension Book 10: Hades™ – new by Carl Gleba – the Minion War Crossover begins with this book; suitable as a standalone sourcebook as well as a vital chapter in the Minion War Crossover! 160 pages – $18.95 retail – July 13.
An additional title or reprint is likely to be added.
Also slated for 2006
Rifts® Dimension Book 11: Dyval™ (Minion War part two)
Rifts® Dimension Book 12: Minion War™ in the Three Galaxies (Minion War part three)
Heroes Unlimited™ Minion War™ Crossover (part four)
Rifts® Minion War™ Crossover (part five; conclusion)
2-4 new Fantasy RPG® titles and the return of Western Empire.
2-3 new HU2 books – including The Atorian Sourcebook™.
Chaos Earth™: NEMA™ Mission Book One
Chaos Earth™: Psychic Storm™
Rifts: Triax 109 P.A.™ (all new)
The Rifter® #36
BTS-2™ Adventure Book
Splicers™ Sourcebook
New Product Descriptions
Rifts® World Book 2:
Rifts® Atlantis – January 2006
“Back in print” after being outta print for 9 months, this is one of our best selling sourcebooks of all time (over 100,000 sold, Vampire Kingdoms too). Minor updates and modifications to make it 100% compatible with Rifts® Ultimate Edition.
Tattoo Magic and the Tattooed Man O.C.C.
Stone Magic and Bio-Wizardry.
More than 20 optional player characters, including the Sunaj Assassin, True Atlantean and a host of D-Bees.
Minions of Splugorth, overview of Atlantis and more.
Written by Kevin Siembieda.
160 pages – Cat. No. 804.
$17.95 retail – Ships around January 5, 2006.
Rifts® World Book 27:
Adventures in Dinosaur Swamp™
This takes the ideas of the first Dinosaur Swamp World Book to a whole new level. Intelligent dinosaurs who hunt and enslave humans, mysterious Indian mounds seething with magic and potential, new O.C.C.s, and much more.
Our goal is to set your imaginations on fire with bold characters, exciting ideas and new avenues of adventure.
New dinosaurs and monsters.
New R.C.C.s, Native Americans, weapons and equipment.
The secrets of the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds.
World information and adventures ideas.
Written by Kevin Siembieda and Todd Yoho.
Your first glimpse at the artistry of Jeffery Russell.
160 pages – Cat. No. 866.
$17.95 retail – Ships around January 10, 2006.
The Rifter® #33 – January 2006
The quarterly publication for RPG fans by RPG fans
The usual fun, optional source-material for numerous RPG lines in the Palladium Megaverse®, as well as news and fiction.
Legacy of Blood for the Palladium Fantasy RPG®. The brink of war, ancient magic artifacts, the Paleologist O.C.C. and more.
S.C.R.E.T. updated and revised for today’s current world setting; for Heroes Unlimited.™
D-Bees of the Eastern Wilds for Rifts®.
Air combat for high-tech aircraft in Rifts®.
The next chapter in the Hammer of the Forge™ story.
The latest news and information.
Cover by Palladium newcomer, Chris Arneson.
96 pages, Cat. No. 133.
$9.95 retail – Ships around January 16, 2006.
The Best of The Rifter® – February 2006
A Palladium Books® 25th Anniversary Special
This special issue of The Rifter® is an index and best of collection published as part of the Palladium Anniversary Celebration (and is a free bonus issue for subscribers).
It will include some of the most interesting, useful, fun and funny moments from the last eight years.
Best of all, it includes a comprehensive index of articles from issues #1-33!
When asked exactly what would be in this special issue beside the comprehensive index, Wayne said: “What? I don’t know . . . good stuff.” So there you have it, good stuff.
A comprehensive index for issues #1-33.
P.P.E. Channeling, G.M. tips, great art and, um, “good stuff.”
A must for collectors of The Rifter® and those collecting Palladium’s 25th Anniversary items.
128 pages – Cat. No. 090.
$12.95 retail – Ships February 15, 2006.
Tome Grotesque™
For Beyond the Supernatural™ – February 2006
Okay, I know this book and Beyond Arcanum were delayed just as many BTS gamers feared, but Beyond the Supernatural has not been forgotten or shoved aside. This is the next book I’m diving into as soon as Adventures in Dinosaur Swamp is finished! And other than some editing and changes to Arzno and Madhaven, Beyond Arcanum is “my” next big project after Tome Grotesque. I’m as anxious to finish writing these two books as you guys and gals are eager to see them.
Tome Grotesque could just as easily have been called “The Book of Darkness,” because it deals with the gruesome and malevolent nature of supernatural beings. A frightening look into the psychology, nature and power of monsters that lurk in the shadows and torment mortals.
Demonic magic and psionic abilities.
Horrific Supernatural Predators, Pranksters, Demonic Servants, Ancient Evil and more.
Spectacular artwork by Russell, Dubisch and others.
Written by Kevin Siembieda.
160 pages – Cat. No. 702.
$18.95 retail – February 27.
Rifts® World Book 28:
Arzno™ – Vampire Incursion™ – March, 2006
Mercenaries and vampires! What else could anyone ask for? Actually, Jason gives you plenty more.
The city of Arzno mapped and described.
New merc weapons, equipment and TW items.
Vampire insurgents, their henchmen and leaders.
The Blood Cult, Blood Priest and vampire worship.
Coalition Vampire Killers, Cyber-Knights and more.
Written by Jason Richards.
160 pages – Cat. No. 868.
$18.95 retail – Ships around March 16, 2006.
The John Zeleznik Collector’s Rifts® Coloring Book™ – March, 2006
A Palladium Books® 25th Anniversary Special.
This little gem was Johnny Z’s idea for a special anniversary commemorative item. A coloring book created from the pencil drawings for the many painted covers he has done for Palladium Books. They may include some concept sketches as well as some other line artwork.
As the publisher, I (Kevin Siembieda) thought this would be fun, interesting, and “unique.” As an artist myself, I always love seeing concept drawings and preliminary sketches, and I thought you might too. Plus, they’ll be blown up to 8 ½ x 11 and truly suitable for coloring. I say buy two, one to keep as a collectable and one to color with markers, crayons, watercolor or colored pencils.
Note: This is Palladium’s March Anniversary item.
Good reproduction on good quality paper.
Created and designed by John Zeleznik.
48 pages – Cat. No. 870.
$5.95 retail – Ships around March 24, 2006.
Rifts® World Book 29: Madhaven™ – April, 2006
Brandon Aten & Taylor White, contributors to The Rifter®, have expanded their teamwork to create a complete sourcebook about the ruins of New York City known as “Madhaven.”
Madness, ghosts, monsters and mutants.
The Order of the White Rose Mystic Knights.
Underground tunnel networks and their inhabitants.
World information and adventure ideas.
Written by Brandon Aten & Taylor White.
128 pages – Cat. No. 869.
$14.95 retail – Ships around April 7, 2006.
The Rifter® #34 – April, 2006
The usual fun, optional source-material for numerous Palladium RPG lines in the Palladium Megaverse®, as well as news and fiction.
Articles for various Palladium RPG series.
Palladium’s Summer Catalog.
128 pages – Cat. No. 134.
$9.95 retail – Ships around April 21, 2006.
Powers Unlimited™ 3 – May, 2006
At last, Carmen Bellaire’s latest book in the Powers Unlimited™ series for Heroes Unlimited™.
New Major and Minor Super Abilities.
New Power Categories and info on super beings.
Written by Carmen Bellaire.
96 pages – Cat. No. 523.
$13.95 retail – Ships around May 25, 2006.
Beyond Arcanum™ – For Beyond the Supernatural™ – June, 2006
I have pushed back the release date of this BTS-2 title to insure its quality. This is another book that will rock your minds and shatter the conventions of role-playing gaming.
A new spin on magic that works in our modern world.
Magic wielding O.C.C.s.
Magic weapons, charms, rituals and the cursed.
Written by Kevin Siembieda and Todd Yoho.
192 pages – Cat. No. 703.
$22.95 retail – Ships around June 16, 2006.
Rifts® & Other Worlds™
The Art of John Zeleznik – June, 2006
We’ve been talking about this one for years, and with it being Palladium’s 25th anniversary it seemed only right to publish a comprehensive book on an artist who has been breathing life into Palladium products for more than a decade.
This fabulous collection of John Zeleznik’s work will focus on paintings created only for Palladium Books titles and will include never before seen concept sketches, alternative designs and color roughs.
The artistry of painter John Zeleznik.
Never before seen concept art.
Hardcover, full color throughout.
Created, designed and illustrated by John Zeleznik.
128 pages of full color – Cat. No. 871.
$25.95 retail – ships around June 30.
Note: A special, signed and numbered, collector’s limited edition will also be available for $55.00 – limited to 500 copies – directly from Palladium Books.
X-Mas Surprise Package
Time is running out! Order yours today!
Only 23 days till Christmas. We can only guarantee delivery “before” Christmas if we get your order by December 11, 2005 (ships on December 12).
After that, MOST orders being shipped to a location in the United States “should” arrive before Christmas even if the order is placed as late as December 15th. After that, good luck unless you ship Next Day or 2nd Day Air. Just wanted to give you fair warning.
The Christmas Surprise Package/Grab Bag offer ends December 23, 2005.
(Historically, I have extended the offer for a week or two after Christmas, but that decision is never made till around December 22nd, and depends largely on how many requests we receive from fans asking for the extension. So buy NOW and buy often. Multiple Grab Bag orders are welcomed, just make sure we have plenty of choices from which to make our selections.)
Ho, ho, ho, and Happy Holidays from all of us at Palladium Books.
– Santa Kevin
Holding the Price on Product
Printing costs went up a little last year and are likely to rise a bit more in 2006. This has prompted Palladium to raise the price on its 160 page books one dollar, to $18.95 starting with Tome Grotesque. We are pleased to be able to keep our prices well below those of our competitors and understand that many people in the world today find it necessary to stretch their money as best they can. You can count on Palladium to continue to hold the line as long as we can.
Palladium Open House – May 6 & 7, 2006
There has never been anything like it
Two days of gaming, seminars, panel talks, autograph sessions, product sales, and hours of gaming, all happening in the Palladium warehouse (17,000 sq. feet of books and fun)!
Meet the creative men and women behind Palladium Books, at Palladium Books, where the magic happens!
To our knowledge, nothing like this has ever been done in the history of role-playing games!
This was one of my bright ideas. We actually kicked around the idea for Palladium’s 20th Anniversary, but feel this is the time to do it.
This ONE–OF-A-KIND celebration will be a one-time event and will not be repeated. (Too much work. We’re crazy, but not that crazy.) We just thought this would be an awesome way to celebrate a milestone year with Palladium turning 25 years old, my 50th Birthday (actually April 2), and as fate would have it, Apollo Okamura’s birthday is Sunday, May 7th. And we want to celebrate it with you at a special venue where only Palladium gamers gather to gorge on all things Palladium and have fun chatting, gaming and buying stuff.
We already have something like 20 Palladium madmen, um, I mean creators who have agreed to be there for you, our fans, and we haven’t even contacted everyone yet. Even John Zeleznik is talking about coming out for the event! This should be the biggest gathering of Palladium creators ever!
Attendance will have to be limited to approximately 500 people, due to space limitations and safety concerns. So tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
There’s plenty of nearby hotels (we’re only five miles from the airport) and there are dozens of places to eat as well.
Price of Admission:
$30 for the weekend (Saturday & Sunday) per individual.
$15 for a single day (Saturday or Sunday).
Special $40 V.I.P. Friday Night with the Palladium Crew: 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM.
A schedule of events and tickets for them (only $1-$2 per event) should be posted in February, but the gang and I plan to be available the ENTIRE two days.
We should be ready to start taking ticket reservations in two or three weeks.
For more detailed information click here.
Game Masters wanted for Open House!
We need good Game Masters to run events at the Palladium Open House in May. So please let us know if you are interested in running one or more game events and what Palladium games you’d like to run.
We’ll talk about the details and benefits of running for us when you contact us.
E-mail Wayne Smith at palladium-gm@palladiumbooks.com
Important Note
Keep your eyes peeled for more information about Palladium’s Year Long Anniversary Celebration, The Rifter® and Design Contests where YOU can design character sheets and game shields for Rifts®, Heroes Unlimited, Palladium Fantasy RPG® and BTS-2 and win prizes, product and cash! This info will all appear over the next week.
Stay tuned and keep those imaginations burning bright.
Copyright 2005 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
This Press Release may be used and portions reprinted with Palladium's permission for the purpose of news and promotion. Rifts®, Megaverse® and Palladium Books® are registered trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. and Kevin Siembieda. Rifts® Promise of Power, Heroes Unlimited, Powers Unlimited, Beyond the Supernatural, Tome Grotesque, Beyond Arcanum, Splicers, MercTown, Merc Ops, Dinosaur Swamp, Chaos Earth, NEMA and all other titles and names are trademarks of Palladium Books.