2009 Palladium Open House - February 2009 Progress report

- Events run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (possibly longer).
- No fees for individual games, panel talks or other events.
- A family friendly environment.

50+ Palladium Creators

We may have more than 50 Palladium creators – including writers, artists, Rifter® contributors, Defilers and consultants – in attendance. Many have already “confirmed” they will be there, othersmay be added and we hope to have a surprise or two! No other gaming event ever has so many Palladium creators at one event.

The Palladium Crew
- Kevin Siembieda (Founder, President, Writer, Artist, Game Designer) 
- Wayne Smith (Editor, Typesetter, Editor-in-Chief of The Rifter®) 
- Julius Rosenstein (Proofreader, G.M. Supreme, Defiler) 
- Alex Marciniszyn (Editor, Researcher, Online Mod, and Defiler) 
- Jason Marker (Author of Robotech® sourcebooks and more) 
- Megan Marker (Honorary staff member/helper) 
- Kathy Simmons (Customer relations and mail order) 
- Thomas Bartold (Online Mod, Troubleshooter and Defiler) 
- Joseph Bergmans (Honorary staff member/helper & consultant) 
- James Brown (Game Master Supreme) 
- Chris Guertin (Honorary staff member/helper) 
- Shawn & Lisa Hall (Honorary staff members/helpers) 
- Doug Lamberson (Honorary staff member & Robotech consultant) 
- Becky Rudell (Honorary staff member/helper) 
- Lonnie Langston (G.M. and Megaversal Ambassador)

Other Palladium Creators & Contributors
- Amy L. Ashbaugh (artist) 
- Brandon Aten (writer & G.M.) 
- Carmen Bellaire (writer & G.M.) 
- Kent Burles (artist) 
- Nick Bradshaw (artist) 
- Randi Cartier (G.M. & writer) 
- Roger Cartier (G.M. & map maker) 
- Greg Diacyzk (writer) 
- Matthew Daye (podcaster) 
– Steven Dawes (writer & G.M.) 
- Mark Dudley (artist) 
- Stephen L. Fox (artist) 
- Carl Gleba (writer & G.M.; tentative) 
- Mark Hall (writer) 
- Josh Hilden (writer) 
- Jeffry Scott Hansen (writer & author) 
- Irvin Jackson (writer; tentative) 
- Levi Johnstone (G.M. & writer) 
- Mike Leonard (writer and artist) 
- Chris Kluge (writer) 
- Alan Manning (artist) 
- Brian Manning (artist) 
- Mike Mumah (artist) 
- Mark Oberle (writer; tentative) 
- Chris Perrin (podcaster; tentative) 
- Apollo Okamura (artist) 
- Ramon Perez (artist; tentative) 
- John Philpott (writer; tentative) 
- Jason Richards (writer; tentative) 
- Jeff “NMI” Ruiz (Palladium Online Administrator) 
- Josh Sinsapaugh (writer) 
- Joshua Sanford (co-author of Dead Reign and Rifter contributor) 
- Charles Walton II (artist) 
- Taylor White (writer and film-maker; tentative) 
- Todd Yoho (writer; tentative)

Other guests may be added. While many listed are “tentative,” more than half are already committed to coming.

Total access to Palladium creators

Unlike most “conventions” where the writers, artists, and game designers make a special appearance for an hour here and there, most of Palladium’s creators are right there on the floor ALL DAY LONG. (Except when they are running games, on a panel discussion or out to lunch or dinner.)

That means you have total access to get creators to sign your books, talk with you and clown around. And that includes Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium staff. All in the intimate surroundings of the Palladium warehouse and offices.

Meet Palladium fans from around the world

This year we have people coming from across the USA – so far, that includes Alaska(!), Oregon, California, Nebraska, Montana, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, as well as Canada – Windsor, Ottawa, Calgary – and as far away as Germany!

The POH is the ONLY gaming event Palladium will attend in 2009!

As noted in Kevin Siembieda’s first Murmur of the New Year, he and the Palladium Books staff will only attend the 2009 Palladium Open House – no other conventions, not even Gen Con. The rest of our time will be devoted to getting the new product YOU WANT finished and onto store shelves.

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When, Where & How to Attend 
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2009 Palladium Open House 
– April 30 (VIP Night) – May 1, 2 & 3, 2009

Dates: Thursday through Sunday, April 30, May 1, 2 & 3. 
Location: The Palladium warehouse at 39074 Webb Court, Westland, Michigan, 48185-7606. (734) 271-2903 order line only. 
Attendance: Limited to around 320. Available on a first come, first served basis.

Hours:
Thursday VIP ONLY Hours: 4:00 PM doors open. 5:30 PM dinner. 7:00 PM Kevin Siembieda talks. 8:00 PM (or so) VIPs can play in various gaming events or gather and talk with Kevin Siembieda, Palladium staff members and other Palladium creators. Note: Sorry, VIP night is sold out. 
Friday Hours: 9:30 AM doors open. 10:00 AM till midnight gaming and other events. Gaming hours may be extended; plus all-night gaming rooms at the hotel. 
Saturday Hours: 9:30 AM doors open. 10:00 AM till midnight gaming and other events. Live auction and costume competition are part of Saturday’s events. Gaming hours may be extended; plus all-night gaming rooms at the hotel. 
Sunday Hours: 9:30 AM doors open. 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM gaming.

Cost:
3 Day Weekend: $40 per person (Friday thru Sunday). 
Friday Only: $16 per person. 
Saturday Only: $16 per person. 
Sunday Only: $12 per person. 
VIP Thursday: Sorry, sold out in 13 hours.

Placing Your Order:
Online: Click here.
By Telephone: Call (734) 721-2903 – have your credit card information ready. 
By Mail: Send check or money order to: 
Palladium Books 
Dept. POH 
39074 Webb Court 
Westland, MI 48185-7606 
Please include your FULL address and apartment number. Also include the complete NAME of EACH person you are ordering a ticket for, as well as your telephone number in case there is a problem and we need to contact you.

Methods of Payment:
Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard and most credit cards are accepted. All Credit Card orders must include: Credit Card No. – Name on the card – Address of the Credit Cardholder – Expiration Date – Telephone Number of the cardholder. Click here.
Check or Money Order: Sent via the USPS or other delivery service.

Certificate of Admission & Special Name Badge. Everyone who places their admission order before April 13, gets an 8½ x 11 inch certificate of admission with their name and badge number, suitable for framing or as a collector’s item. A color name badge will be waiting for you when you arrive. Each is numbered, and some people have Kevin Siembieda sign their badge before they leave.

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Open House Hotel 
$69.95 per night – Reserve your room as soon as possible 
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Two-Thirds of the rooms are ALREADY GONE as of January 30th!

Space is limited and Palladium may need to book rooms in a second hotel, so book your room NOW to get this great price and location. Your credit card will NOT be charged till the date of the event.

Hotel information:

Comfort Inn Plymouth Clock Tower

40455 Ann Arbor Road (right off of I-275) 
Plymouth, MI 48170 
Call 734-455-8100 to make hotel reservations.

2009 Palladium Open House – May 1, 2 & 3 
– 39074 Webb Court – Westland, MI 48185

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POH Game Masters Needed!!!! 
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If you are a quality Game Master with experience, you are coming to the Palladium Open House, and would like to run one or more gaming events at the POH, please contact us as soon as possible.

We especially want our “creators” – freelance writers and artists – and Megaversal Ambassadors to run several events throughout the Open House. I’ll be running 3-6 a day, depending on the day.

G.M.s who are scheduled, in advance (no later than March 31, 2009), to run 3 or more events will get a special T-shirt and a 30% discount on all Palladium product purchases (does NOT apply to auction items, concessions, toys, prints or artwork).

What we will need from G.M.s for each game you’d like to run:

- RPG/World setting (Rifts®, Robotech®, HU2, Fantasy, BTS, Ninjas & Superspies, etc.) 
- A brief, but dynamic description of the game. 
- Maximum Number of Players: 6-10 is typical, run what YOU feel comfortable with running. 
- Running Time: 3-4 hours is typical, and best for these kinds of events, longer can be a problem. 
- What days you can run: VIP Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday? 
- When: Do you have a preferred time of day you want to run? If so, what it is (10 AM, noon, 8:00 PM, what)? If we can not give you that time slot, will you run earlier or later? 
- Multiple games: If you are running multiple times, is it the same game? If different games provide all this information for EACH. 
– Please bring pre-rolled “player” character sheets: Pre-rolled character sheets/descriptions for each player is strongly advised. Why waste time rolling up characters? Let’s game! 
- Minimum age of the players: Especially if the game has mature content or extreme violence. Please indicate if it is not suitable for players under the age of 17. 
- YOUR T-shirt size. You will want this shirt. 
- I.D. & Contact Info: 
Your real name 
Street address 
Telephone/Cell number (an alternative number optional) 
Email address 
T-shirt size!

NOTE: If you commit to running games at the POH, you must be serious and MUST be available to run your games. Do not disappoint gamers from around the globe by being unprepared or absent. You also have to purchase your own admission ticket.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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POH Volunteers Needed! 
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We will need volunteers to help us set up, and handle admissions (confirming I.D., handing out badges), store/sales assistance/restocking shelves, gopher, general assistance, parking lot, etc.

You’ll get a volunteer’s badge and select perks that may include a product discount percentage commensurate with the amount of work and hours put in. NOTE: If you volunteer, please show up. Volunteers have to purchase their own admission ticket.

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More about the 2009 POH 
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2009 Palladium Open House (POH) 
is going to be something special

Every Open House is special in its own way.

The 2006 Open House helped give us all the courage and strength to press on and fight in the face of the Crisis of Treachery. It felt like the rallying point of defiant Palladium creators and fans refusing to let Palladium go under. It was awesome. All who attended made us know that Palladium was loved and appreciated.

The 2007 Open House was fun, a bit bigger, and people got to meet more Palladium creators than ever, including John Zeleznik (who seldom travels out east) and the late, great, Erick Wujcik.Nobody could have imagined the 2007 Open House would be the last convention anyone would have a chance to meet Erick. I’m so glad those in attendance had that opportunity. Erick Wujcikwas a genius, one of my dearest friends, and he is deeply missed.

We skipped 2008 because of Palladium’s Big Move. Wisely, we knew we could not move and host the Open House within a month of each other. We are so glad we did, because dealing with the tragic illness and loss of Erick Wujcik made 2008 an awful year for us.

The 2009 Palladium Open House – May 1, 2 & 3, 2009 – is going be another fun and highly memorable event for those who attend. That’s one of the cool things about the POH, each is special, different and fun in its own way. Something many who attend will remember with fondness for years to come. This year we have more guests, more games, more events, and hope to be even more organized, prepared, and efficient. We may also have a few surprises. It will definitely be memorable.

Why is the Palladium Open House so special?

By Kevin Siembieda

Since the first Palladium Open House in 2006, I have often asked myself what makes this event so special. Why do the majority of those who attend go completely gah gah over it and come back from all around the world?

All they can seem to say is they had a great time, loved meeting scores of Palladium creators, and they’ll be back.

Hmm, well there is non-stop gaming. No, not just gaming – role-playing games. I always figured the game events had a lot to do with it. But there’s something else. Something that deeply affects those who attend. Something almost magical.

Then I finally figured it out! The Palladium Open House is special because it is a complete, unapologetic, immersion into role-playing.

The Palladium Open House is Role-Playing Heaven for fans of Palladium Books. A non-stop celebration of role-playing. Not just any type of role-playing games, but Palladium role-playing games all day and all night long, with gaming events run by the CREATORS of the games.

Kevin Siembieda. The Palladium staff. The writers. The artists. The Game Masters and play testers. They are all there. All the time. Accessible. Friendly. Happy to chat. Happy to tell insider stories. Happy to run games. Happy to sign autographs. Happy to be with YOU.

It’s the total experience. Deep immersion into the Palladium Megaverse®. Right there, at the offices and warehouse of Palladium Books. The place where the games you love are created. And you are knee deep with the very people who created them!

You have total access to Palladium creators. Total access the entire time. You are not going find that at any other gaming event, anywhere.

From me, Kevin Siembieda, and the Palladium staff to freelance writers, artists, contributors, consultants, Game Masters, friends and fans, it is one big, friendly gathering in an intimate setting. Good games, good conversation, friendly faces and non-stop fun. Palladium gamer heaven.

The Palladium Open House is also where you discover Palladium’s greatest secret: We are all gaming geeks just like you. That’s why you have total access to us, because we enjoy gaming and clowning around with fellow gamers.

Oh yeah, all the games and events are FREE. They are all covered in the price of admission (sign up on a first come, first served basis). There is a Costume Contest on Saturday and we encourage YOU to dress up and participate in it, a live auction, panel talks, stuff to buy (games, books, original art, limited edition prints, minis, T-shirts, toys, etc.), people to meet, dozens of Palladium creators, books to get signed, and a bunch of other events and stuff that adds to the fun and excitement.

If you want to lose yourself in one or more days of Palladium nirvana, then you’d better reserve your admission NOW! The Palladium Open House starts in only THREE MONTHS and the number of people we can accommodate is limited.

To attend, click here.

© Copyright 2009 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Beyond the Supernatural, ‘Burbs, 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.