Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 12, 2023

Update Opening Graphic

One game system – every genre – countless worlds – endless adventure

By Kevin Siembieda

This is the LAST Weekend to get a Christmas Surprise Package – offer ENDS next Tuesday. Use it to treat yourself, try new settings, get ideas for new campaigns, replace lost or worn out books, fill holes in your collection, or as a gift for the gamer in your life, but get one while you still can. It makes the ideal gift for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and any gift-giving occasion. And please spread the word so other gamers, especially newcomers, can discover the magic of Palladium Books.

Christmas Surprise Package at palladium-store.com

The energy at Palladium is electric. We have started the new year off by hitting the ground running! Everyone is working on many objectives. Last week we were all hands on deck rearranging the warehouse after a thorough inventory. Then Wayne, Sean, and I have been working on the many specific logistical details not just for the Titan Robotics Kickstarter, but future Kickstarters and our business as a whole. We’ve been making contacts about overseas shipping, exporting, and importing, we’ve had productive meetings with Backerkit, Quartermaster Logistics, overseas shipping experts, box suppliers, and others. Meanwhile, Wayne has been searching and arranging a new telephone service provider. He also recently upgraded our Internet provider to a faster service, and is exploring a number of other things to improve operations at Palladium. Meanwhile, I’ve been dealing with improvements in the areas of accounting, bookkeeping, and legal matters as well as logistics involving printers and print scheduling. Alex has been handling research on several fronts and helping Crystal with warehouse operations. There is more going on, and all of it is making Palladium more effective and efficient.

All this on top of our creative efforts and usual day-to-day business duties as we continue to process and ship orders and pick, pack, and ship Palladium’s Christmas Surprise Package orders during these final days of the offer. It ends next Tuesday, January 17, so if you intend to order another Surprise Package or your first one, do it this weekend or miss out on the best deal in gaming. The Surprise Package is a great way to replace old, worn out books, try new settings, and get gifts for birthdays and anniversaries for the gamers in your life – on the cheap! $100+ value in product for $58 plus shipping.

What’s next? We love doing the Surprise Packages for you, but we have a slew of new product we need to focus our energy upon. In addition to completion of Titan Robotics and setting up the pledge manager for the corresponding Kickstarter items (did I mention we got beautiful samples for the card deck and quotes for the Cyberworks Collection?), there are a number of new products coming your way. See below, and my Closing Thoughts for more about the RPG industry and Palladium’s plans.

COMING! Original Beyond the Supernatural RPG Bonus Commemorative Hardcover (1st edition rules) shipping out next week. This is the original 1988 RPG exactly as it originally appeared, plus a 32 page adventure by Hendrik Härterich. It includes 28 monsters, Erick Wujcik’s famous Victim Characters rules and adventure, and more. It is a classy, crimson foil, bonus hardcover. 288 pages – $55.00 retail – Cat. No. 699HC. We’ll have a complete description in the store and Weekly Update next week.

COMING! The Original Palladium Fantasy RPG® Bonus Commemorative Hardcover – back in stock next week. This is the hugely popular, fan-favorite hardcover of first edition Fantasy RPG collected with the first sourcebook, Arms of Nargash-Tor. Both of which have been out of print for decades. A surge in demand for the holidays saw us sell out a few weeks before Christmas, but it will be back in stock by the end of next week.

COMING! Rifts® Bestiary Volume 2 (our next Rifts® release after Titan Robotics) and Rifts® Antarctica. I’m am working on moving both of these titles as well as nudging along a half dozen Fantasy titles. There are other projects in the works but we can’t yet talk about them. Everything we are working on is an effort to make Palladium stronger and able to release even more quality products for you. Thank you for your invaluable support and feedback about what you would like to see from us, things we can improve, etc. We listen and are making moves to satisfy your RPG desires. We could not do any of this without you.

THANK YOU! The Rifts® Bundles of Holding were a huge success. Our thanks to all of you who made the recent Rifts® Bundles of Holding the most successful ever. It was nice to ring in the New Year by shattering previous sales records for Palladium bundles. It was also nice that the charitable contributions went to the Diana Jones Award Emerging Designer Program that helps young game designers. Thank you, you’re awesome.

The Savage Rifts® Double Feature crowdfunder by Pinnacle Entertainment also came to an end last week. Sean and everyone one at Pinnacle thank you for your participation. You are going to be floored by everything you’ll be getting.

FUN! If you haven’t done so yet, check out the Heroes Unlimited Christmas Special and the recent Cozy Caverns Beyond the Supernatural RPG adventure podcasts from the creative minds at www.realplaygamespod.com. These fun podcasts are created by Palladium fans like you.

Christmas Grab Bags

LAST Weekend to get Surprise Package – only days left to order

These are the last 5 days to get physical books at PDF prices – $100+ worth of physical products for only $58 plus shipping. And we’ll sign each book if you request it. For many this is the only way to get an autographed book. No other game company in the world offers a deal like this. Offer ENDS after midnight, next Tuesday, January 17, and will not be extended further. Miss out and you’ll have to wait till next Christmas season for this deal.

Christmas Surprise Package at palladium-store.com

A Surprise Package is a wonderful way to start the New Year. Use it to treat yourself, try new settings, get ideas for new campaigns, replace lost or worn out books, fill holes in your collection, or as a gift for the gamer in your life. Ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and any gift-giving occasion. And please spread the word so other gamers, especially newcomers, can discover the magic of Palladium Books.

The Christmas Surprise Package offer – the best deal in gaming – is coming to an end – only 5 days left. This is your last chance to get physical books at PDF prices – $100+ worth of physical products for only $58 plus shipping. And we’ll sign each book if you request it. For many this is the only way to get an autographed book. No other game company in the world offers a deal like this. Order yours before you miss out and please spread the word so other gamers can enjoy this incredible deal.

We extend the offer for those of you who have been so busy spending your time and money on your family and friends, that you have not had the opportunity or funds to treat yourself to a well-deserved Christmas Surprise Package.

We also extend it for those of you who cannot get enough of Palladium’s games and want to start the New Year off with a setting or source material to launch a new campaign. And for those of you who can use a Surprise Package as the perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion coming up in January or February. (Valentine’s Day?)

And we extend the Surprise Packages for you Johnny Come-Latelies who were meaning to get one, but how time flies during the holidays. It just feels like it is more important than ever to spread the joy of gaming into the New Year. So please, spread the word about the extended Surprise Package sale period, and travel the Megaverse® from the safety of your home.

What is a Christmas Surprise Package?

A smile and a hug that comes in a box filled with signed game books from available Palladium staff and freelancers. And God knows things continue to be so crazy, we need something fun like the Christmas Surprise Package to ring in the New Year and provide a little joy and laughter. With so many people suffering from the fallout of the pandemic, depression, frustration, and in some cases, money issues, they need to escape into realms of role-playing adventures and this is a fun way to do so. Not to mention the huge savings and autographs available via a Palladium Christmas Surprise Package.

A Surprise Package is your way to get physical books (and autographs if you want them) for PDF prices! $100+ worth of Palladium products for only $58 plus shipping. That can nab you four or more items when these days one core rule book can cost you that alone.

These Surprise Packages are our way of saying thank you for your support and showing you our love and appreciation. It’s a surprise because you never know exactly what you’re going to get or who will sign your books, because we pick from your Wish List and may surprise you with stuff you are not expecting. Extra items may include other RPGs, sourcebooks, issues of the Rifter®, novels, miniatures, prints, art books, greeting cards, T-shirts, negatives, and other items. Some books may be slightly damaged (scuffs, scratches, dings, a crunched corner, etc.) so we can send you more.

The Surprise Packages can be that special gift for a birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, graduation, or any special occasion coming in the weeks ahead. It is also a great way to fill the winter months ahead with a pile of games on the cheap. And you can get a bunch of autographs (if you want ‘em). Or as a means to treat yourself (you deserve it), fill holes in your collection, replace worn out books, or try new settings. And who doesn’t like getting a “surprise” any time of the year?

Have you wondered about settings like Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, Nightbane®, Systems Failure, Mechanoid Invasion®, Rifts®, After the Bomb®, etc. – ask for it in your Wish List and maybe you’ll get it.

Your “Wish List” is vital – the Palladium Surprise Packages are designed to simulate the joy and surprise of the Christmas Season of Giving. To do this, you submit a list of 12-15 Palladium products (or more) FOR EACH Surprise Package you order. This list of 12-15 items for EACH Grab Bag is critical, because you will not know which items we will select to send you. That makes it just like a Christmas gift because it really is a surprise. Surrogate Santa Kevin personally hand-picks every item for every Grab Bag, and may toss in something extra like a limited edition print, or a negative, or similar collector’s item, or an issue of The Rifter®, or something else he thinks you’ll enjoy.

Autographed books. For those of you who want them (which are most people), Kevin and available members of the Palladium staff, and any freelancers we can lasso at the time, are happy to autograph each and every book in your Surprise Package. This is the only way many fans across the country and overseas can ever get signed books.

Send us your brief comments. There is a special form and format to fill out for Christmas Surprise Packages. It includes a place where you can offer your brief comments, suggestions, greetings and salutations.

First-timers are always nervous until they see the great value in their first Surprise Package. A typical Grab Bag has $100 worth of product, sometimes more! Yes, sometimes more, for only $58 plus shipping. Many people order 2-3. Some order 4-6, and some maniacs order even more! It makes sense, because it is a great way to fill holes in your own collection, treat yourself, get autographs, try new games and settings, rebuild your collection, replace worn out books, and get your gaming pals gifts you know they will love. PLEASE spread the word about this great offer.

To those of you outside the USA, the X-Mas Surprise Package is a way to get books and circumvent the damn high cost of shipping from the United States, since you are getting $100 (often more) worth of product and only paying $58, shipping via Priority Mail International (required for packages weighing 4 or more pounds) to most locations in Europe, Canada, Australia, and many other countries is around $70 US dollars. HOWEVER, because the cost of the product is so low, that’s often the equivalent of paying retail for the products and only $1-$40 for shipping. A very good deal. Plus you get autographs if you want them! X-Mas Surprise Packages are the way to go for those of you outside the USA. Please take advantage of it to get all those products you’ve wished you could get except the shipping was too prohibitive. We feel your pain. Game on!

Please spread the word. The Christmas Surprise Package is only publicized by word of mouth, on Palladium's website, and social media, so please tell everyone you know. Buy one for every gamer you know. They make astonishing gifts for every occasion. Final days – ENDS – January 17, 2022.

Christmas Surprise Package at palladium-store.com

List of Palladium Books RPG Hardcovers Available Now

Palladium Books® Check List of 2022 Releases – all available now

NEW on DriveThruRPG.com – Free Sneak Preview of Creature Feature and much more.

FREE Creature Feature™ Preview provides you a glimpse of what you will find in this epic book. There also FREE Sneak Previews of Rifts® Coalition Manhunters, Northern Gun 1 & 2, Hell Followed, and select other titles. Those are just some of the 300+ Palladium RPG titles available as PDF books.

No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn and play one Palladium RPG and you can play them all, because each uses the same basic core rules and combat. There are differences, but the fundamentals are the same. This also means you can bring characters, villains, monsters, powers, magic, weapons, gear, and adventure ideas from one setting into another or mash them together!

DriveThruRPG offers most of our 300+ Palladium RPG titles as PDF books, making it easy and inexpensive to try out one of our many games. Also check out the FREE Sneak Previews of Rifts® Coalition Manhunters, Northern Gun 1 & 2, Hell Followed, and select other titles.

Closing Thoughts – Game Industry Chaos

Human beings and gaming fandom sure like controversy and gossip, don’t they? With all the rumors flying around about the Dungeons & Dragons® OGL (Open Game License) and the perceived direction WotC/Hasbro appears to be taking with the famous game line, many fans are up in arms. Here at Palladium, we’re taking a wait and see approach, but whatever happens, it should have no negative impact on Palladium Books. Still, we are being bombarded with fans offering suggestions on what Palladium should do next to capitalize on the chaos and/or to protect ourselves. Thank you, we always appreciate your input and ideas.

As I believe I have already mentioned, Palladium has a 5 year growth plan in place. That puts us in a great position, because we’ve seen the handwriting on the wall and we’re ready for it. We have already analyzed the market and what we, as an RPG company, need to do to grow and prosper. A big part of our planning strategy has been listening to you, our fans, and examining our own strengths and weaknesses with keen self-awareness. The improvements you’ll see unfolding starting this year, I have been working toward for what feels like ages. Bringing the talented Sean Owen Roberson onboard is a huge, critical part of those plans. Our plans.

Under Palladium’s new policy of “say less, make no promises, nor predictions for release dates,” none of us can discuss our plans with you, but you will be pleased. And that’s an understatement.

We may not appear to be moving quickly, but there is a lot more happening below the surface and behind the scenes than you know. Stuff we dare not talk about yet. We are keeping mum, not just to avoid over-promising, but also for strategic business reasons. We don’t want to tip our hand too soon.

Suffice it to say that while much of the industry seems to be in a state of consternation, with many companies cutting back and laying off people, Palladium is geared up to grow and expand. That has a lot to do with what we have been quietly working toward as we rebuild our foundation. We have been listening to you and plotting and planning for Palladium’s rebirth for years now. Sean is as passionate and knowledgeable about Palladium and RPGs as I am. He understands and cherishes the Palladium legacy and our fans as much as I do, plus he is a hell of a writer and game designer. We see eye to eye on most things and work phenomenally well together. We both work toward a new era of greatness for Palladium that will carry us to new heights without ever kicking our wonderful and loyal fans to the curb. You are our friends and extended family, and you are valued, perhaps more than you realize.

As always, we can’t do this alone. We’ll need your support on many levels. You have our back and we’ll have yours. Palladium’s company culture is one of friendship and family, fun and creativity. You are genuinely our extended family. Sure, we need to make money to keep running and give you the games you desire, but you and your needs are always foremost in our minds. Many companies give lip service to how much their fans mean to them, but at Palladium it’s true. Our commitment to you has been on full display for decades. It’s evident in the quality of our books, our efforts to contain rising prices, the Palladium Surprise Packages, the Palladium Open Houses, and our openness with our customers. Ask those who have met any of us in person here, on site, or at conventions, and they will tell you how grounded, welcoming, and friendly we are. We have never forgotten our humble roots. We remain gamers who love the hobby just like you. We don’t see ourselves as elitists or celebrities or corporate. That’s why we know what you love and want. Remember, that while we cannot talk about all of our plans in detail, we listen, we hear you, and we know what you love and want because we are you.

Watch and enjoy what’s coming in the months and years ahead. As we continue to build our financial resources, core staff, and freelancers, you’ll see more products released and more positive changes. As we have already stated, our first goal is to give you many of the products you have been waiting for over the years. We are pushing the envelope and aiming to wow you with every single one of them (think Rifts® Coalition Manhunters, Creature Feature, The Rifter® #85, and the upcoming Titan Robotics releases). Ah, but this is just the very tip of the creative iceberg. We so want to tell you about some of the things coming this year, but you’ll see them when they are released. All we ask is that you support our endeavors and spread the word about Palladium Books, its games, and the things you love about them.

Please stay positive, hang tough, and know that Palladium has your back. We are not going anywhere, except up. That’s why Sean is here. He and I share the same values and ideals about RPGs in general, and Palladium Books specifically. We are a company that is truly run by gamers for gamers! We intend to remain a privately held company devoted to the kind of role-playing, storytelling, and world building you know and love and expect from us. Count on it. Then we are going to take everything to new levels that will wow and thrill you. That’s why Sean and I continue to turn down offers to merge with big companies worth billions of dollars, because we don’t want to answer to a shadowy corporate master who cares only about profits, not people. We are confident in our abilities, we know what you want, we know where we want to take Palladium and our games, and we plan to continue to give you games that inflame your imaginations and provide a Megaverse® of endless adventure. Yep, Palladium is a company that is truly run by gamers for gamers. That’s Palladium Books. It’s who we are. It’s who we’ve always been and hopefully, always will be. In next week’s Update, Sean hopes to write more on this topic, so stay tuned.

A last reminder – only 5 days left to snag yourself a Christmas Surprise Package – $100+ worth of product for $58 plus shipping – offer ends after midnight, next Tuesday, January 17. Please spread the word. Enjoy more fan Surprise Package comments found below. Have a great weekend and game on.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Friend, & Surrogate Santa Claus

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

Every year there is a section where our Surprise Package customers can offer comments and suggestions with their order. We do so because we want to know what you think, and what you want, and we appreciate your suggestions and insights. The idea to do hardcover editions of core books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags.

Every year, in acknowledgment of our fans, and because they are fun to read, we offer a sampling of these comments in the Weekly Updates. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have stuck with Palladium through thick and thin and now these new strange times. Please use our games to find escape from the pandemic and other worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season.

I want you to know that your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoys reading your brief comments and they always brighten our day. Thank you for making us smile and feel useful. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.

K.O. in Farmington, Missouri, writes: Rifts® is king, for sure, but Nightbane® will always be my Number One love. Palladium Fantasy RPG® is slowly grabbing my attention. Still the coolest company in the biz, still the most awesome holiday offer out there. Never stop being amazing, guys!

[Thank you, K.O., for the kind words. We listen to our fans and always try to make every book and Surprise Package special. Delighted you think we are nailing it. More good fun is coming your way throughout the new year. – Kevin]

W.M. in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, writes: I enjoyed my last 3 packages so much, I’m buying a 4th. Shipping may be crazy expensive, but this deal makes it worth it, indeed.

[W.M., we are happy to help our Canadian friends get our products whenever we can. Enjoy and happy New Year. – Kevin]

M.S. in Lawrenceville, Georgia, writes: Looking forward to a new year and lots of new games to play. I grew up with many games, but Palladium really made me love the hobby and grow into the role of G.M. Your imagination and world building really inspired me and helped me to craft stories and adventures we still talk about decades later. Thanks for sharing your creativity with the rest of us and helping us grow!

[Thank you for the humbling and heartfelt praise, M.S. It is an honor and a privilege to share my imagination and inspire others. Game on and Happy New Year. – Kevin]

L.S. in Anchorage, Alaska, writes: Still collecting and playing these games, over 30 years now. My kids are starting to get into it, and watching them delve into imagination is amazing. You guys kick ass and I can’t thank you enough for what you do! Any signatures or random things dropped into the box would be amazing and always appreciated. I still have random notes from Kevin from gift boxes I’ve ordered years ago.

[Hi, L.S. We loved to hear that you’ve enjoyed our games for decades and are now enjoying seeing your kids get into role-playing. You are right, kids of most ages take to role-playing like ducks to water. Enjoy and keep all those imaginations burning bright. – Kevin]

W.F. in Grovetown, Georgia, writes: I have loved your games since I was 14. Thank you for these [Surprise Packages], I love all the custom signatures and everything. I don’t think any other game studio does this.

[You are welcome, W.F. and correct, there is no other game company that does anything like the Surprise Packages. You guys and gals are part of our extended family, we like you, and appreciate your support. Christmas is a special time for me so the Surprise Packages are our way of giving back to our fellow gamers and hopefully make the holidays a little more fun. Happy New Year! – Kevin]

J.H. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, writes: Thank you. Your books have been a truly wonderful thing to have been exposed to over the last 15 years and I thank you for them.

[J.H., thank you for the high praise. It is our honor and privilege to create worlds of wonder for you and gamers around the world. Game on. – Kevin]

E.S. in Tacoma, Washington, writes: Dear Santa Kevin, I just wanted to say that I LOVE Palladium’s games, Rifts® in particular. This will be my third year taking advantage of this killer deal, and I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me. In my box, I’d love to see a Rifts® book that includes support vehicles like Triax and the NGR has in it. Besides that, anything Rifts® related would be awesome, and that includes minis or prints.

[E.S., we are thrilled that you are having such a great time with Rifts®. Enjoy the books. Ho, ho, ho. – Kevin and Crew]

S.B. in Chesapeake, Virginia, writes: Merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy New Year. My first grandson arrived in June and I’m excited to teach him how to role-play when he’s older. My 12 year old has been joining in lately and I love her imagination. My husband and I like to borrow elements from multiple game settings and combine them rather than focus on one in particular. Favorites: Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy, After the Bomb® and Beyond the Supernatural.

[Thanks, S.B., from one big kid to another, you are most welcome. Keep the family gaming going strong. – Kevin]

J.M.C. in Huntsville, Texas, writes: Favorites: Rifts®, After the Bomb®, Chaos Earth®, and Beyond the Supernatural. So excited to see another chance at the Christmas Surprise Package! Did not expect another chance this soon. More Beyond the Supernatural and Nightbane®. Looking forward to never running out of new material to read from you folks!

[That’s the plan J.M.C., we hope to be producing high quality games and new worlds of adventure for decades to come. Enjoy your second Surprise Package. – Kevin]

© 2023 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Powers Unlimited®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars®, Chaos Earth®, Dead Reign®, and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc.; Beyond the Supernatural, Coalition States, Garden of the Gods, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, Psychic Scream, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.

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Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Powers Unlimited®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars®, Chaos Earth®, Dead Reign®, and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. RPG Tactics™, Beyond the Supernatural, Coalition States, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.

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