Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – December 22, 2023

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

By Kevin Siembieda and Sean Owen Roberson

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of you. Regardless of your faith and traditions, we hope you find moments of peace, joy, and fellowship with friends and family this weekend.

It has been a wild and often thrilling and joyful year for all of us at Palladium Books, culminating in an incredibly hectic and exhausting Christmas season, but one full of love, joy, and hope. That’s pretty awesome, and you have been a big part of that.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness Kickstarter is just the start of big things coming from Palladium Books. There is so much that has been going on behind the scenes. I’ll talk about some of those things in an upcoming New Year Update, but I like to keep these Christmas Weekly Updates simple and fun. That means announcing that the Surprise Package offer is extended till January 15, 2024 – see details below – and presenting you with a boatload of fun and warm Christmas Surprise Package comments from fans like you. Enjoy and happy holidays.

Palladium’s Christmas Surprise Package Offer Extended

Is this a Christmas miracle? A mistake? Utter lunacy?

None of the above. (Well, maybe that last one.) It has become tradition that I extend the Christmas Surprise Package Offer through the end of December and into the New Year! Yes, this means you can still snag one or two if you act quickly. The sale now ends January 15, 2024, and will NOT be extended further. Oh, and you can ship via the less expensive method of Media Mail because you do not need it for a deadline.

A Surprise Package is a nice way to start the New Year, and is a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, and any gift-giving occasion. Or start the New Year with a stack of RPGs or sourcebooks you have been meaning to try, or the titles you need to fill holes in your collection, or replace battered well-loved books.

We extend the Surprise Package 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. It’s also 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?), so take advantage of this sale to gift the special gamer(s) in your life.

The extension is also for you Johnny Come-Latelies who were meaning to get one, but how time flies during the holidays. It’s also a way for those of you struggling through financial issues to carry some gaming fun into the New Year to stay busy and distracted through the winter months. So please, spread the word about the extended Surprise Package sale period, and travel the Megaverse® from the warmth and 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. It is 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. This all makes it the best deal in gaming – $100+ worth of books for $60 plus shipping – all books signed if you request autographs. Physical books and other product (art prints, miniatures, bookmarks, T-shirts, pens, notepads, mouse pads, mugs, and more) at PDF prices for ALL Palladium RPG settings. What a fun way to start the New Year and stock up for gaming all winter long.

No other game company in the world offers a deal like this! No one. The Surprise Package offer has been extended to January 15, 2023. It will not be extended further. Please spread the word and enjoy.

NEW on DriveThruRPG.com – Newly UPDATED Rifts^® Automated Character Sheet AND Creature Feature^™ sourcebook for Beyond the Supernatural^™ are now available

UPDATED Rifts® Automated Character Sheet now available. Three updates, in fact. This EXCEL template provides automation to your Rifts® character creation process. Done in Microsoft Excel, this character template will allow you to build your character with substantial ease and speed. Ideal for the new gamer who doesn’t know all of the Palladium Books® rules just yet, it’s also a highly effective tool for Game Masters and advanced players alike who make multiple characters, NPCs, or just like to min/max or theory craft characters between games. Note: If you already purchased this item, you can download the updated version for free. Enjoy.

NEW! Creature Feature™ PDF book on DriveThruRPG.com – due to popular request, this epic Beyond the Supernatural(BTS) sourcebook is now available on DriveThru for your digital enjoyment.

Creature Feature is for players and Game Masters alike and a fun read for anyone.

15 detailed and expansive supernatural horrors unlike any you see in most other horror games.
Creature encounter tables.
Tips on making (and playing) better creatures.
Rules clarifications (lots of them).
Player and G.M. tips.
BTS world information.
One full adventure and numerous adventure hooks.
Dynamic art by Steven Cummings, Phil Stone, and Siembieda.

Also available on DriveThru: The 1st and 2nd Edition Beyond the Supernatural RPG, and Boxed Nightmares sourcebook; not to mention Dead Reign® (zombies) and Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy/superhero horror). All these books, including BTS 2nd Edition (softcover and hardcover), BTS RPG 1st Edition hardcover, and the Boxed Nightmares™ (1st edition rules) are available as physical books from PalladiumBooks.com offering a Megaverse® of adventure.

NEW! FREE Nightbane® RPG digital Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com – Have you been wondering what the buzz is all about for Nightbane® and Urban Fantasy? Well, now you can see for yourself with this fun Preview of the core rule book. There are also free Sneak Previews of Creature Feature™, Dead Reign®, BTS, and numerous Rifts® books and other titles, including Rifts® Manhunters™, Titan Robotics™, Northern Gun™ One and Two, Lemuria, and more.

300+ RPG titles from Palladium Books

No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!

Rifts® titles. Rifts® is the ultimate setting in which you can combine any number of genres and play any style of gaming you may desire: science fiction, fantasy, supernatural horror, heroic adventure, dimensional travel, modern knights, cyborgs, giant robots, dinosaur taming, sleuthing, magic, monsters, heroes and legends. Or combine them all. There has never been a game quite like Rifts®.
Rifts® Chaos Earth® titles. Live through the Great Cataclysm and the Coming of the Rifts. Rifts® Chaos Earth® RPG, Creatures of Chaos™, Rise of Magic™, and Chaos Earth® Resurrection™ are all available.
The Rifter® #1-85. Each issue is a wealth of source material for Rifts® and 3-5 other Palladium game settings. More than 8,600 pages of source material and counting. Most issues are only available in digital form.
Palladium Fantasy RPG® titles. A rich, original setting in which you can play humans or any number of nonhuman species of people in a world of magic, heroes and wonder. All of it epic.
Dead Reign® RPG and sourcebooks. The Zombie Apocalypse unleashed. A great introductory RPG that is surprisingly uplifting, fun, fast, and easy to learn.
Heroes Unlimited™ RPG Second Edition titles. Create any type of superhuman you can imagine to build your own super-hero universe.
After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks. Play anthropomorphic, intelligent, mutant animals as crime-fighting mutants and super-heroes or survivors of a crumbling post-apocalyptic Earth.
Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG and the Mystic China™ sourcebook. 41 types of martial arts, ninjas, super-spies, gizmos, mystic powers, and magic in the main book, plus even more in Mystic China.
Nightbane® RPG and sourcebooks – Urban Fantasy. Only you know the truth. Only you can see the Nightlords and their demonic minions, and you have the power to stop them. But you must transform into a monster yourself in order to use your powers. Trust no one.
Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG and sourcebooks. Modern horror; 14 character classes, 42 occupations for “ordinary people,” 100+ psychic abilities, 16 monsters, and more.
300+ Palladium titles in all, plus G.M. kits, paper miniatures and more. Palladium Books has settings for every genre: Fantasy RPG, science fiction (Rifts®, Splicers®, and The Mechanoids®), super-heroes (Heroes Unlimited and After the Bomb), superhero horror (Nightbane®), modern horror (Beyond the Supernatural), zombies (Dead Reign®), The Rifter® sourcebook series, novels, paper minis, and more.

Closing Thoughts - Stay Warm and Feel the Love

Enjoy the holiday season. Stay positive, reach out to friends and loved ones, and spread the love. Even if times are tough, please hold onto hope and all the little things that make life worth living: a beautiful sunset, a rainbow, birds singing, children laughing, loved ones, friends, a stupid typo in one of our books, heck, even a Surprise Package – they make us happy when we select, pull, and pack ‘em knowing they are going to bring joy to so many gamers. Know that we are thinking of you and wishing you well today and always.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all the maniacs at Palladium Books

– Kevin Siembieda, Game Designer, Friend and Surrogate Santa

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 that because we want to know what you think, and what you want, and we appreciate your suggestions and insights. In fact, 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 your day-to-day grind and 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, especially me and Sean, and they always brighten our day. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.

V.C. in Westlake, Ohio, writes: This is my first time purchasing a Palladium Christmas Surprise Package.

[Welcome V.C., we made your first Surprise Package extra special, so it will not be your last. In fact, as has become tradition, we have extended the Christmas Surprise Package offer till January 15, 2024. Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! – Kevin]

A.C. in Sacramento, California, writes: Thank you for all of your extraordinary work over the years. My son Grayson loves Rifts®.

[Our pleasure, A.C. We love making worlds of wonder and adventure to share with you all. Always happy to hear about a new generation discovering our work. Game on. – Kevin]

A.N. in Muncie, Indiana, writes: I am really happy with previous X-Mas Surprise Package. Coming back for more.

[I guess you were really happy, because you have kept coming back for more. Congratulations, you now hold the record at 24 Surprise Packages in a single season. Hey, if you have the financial resources it’s a smart way to build your collection fast and on the cheap. Enjoy and game on. – Kevin]

A.S. in Colorado Springs, Colorado, writes: Rifts®, and really all your games, expanded my concepts of roleplaying games and stretched the limits of my imagination. Palladium truly has such a unique position in the industry and rare appreciation of the hobby and fans. Love everything y’all do. Thanks Kevin, Sean, and the whole crew. Here’s hoping for a second Palladium renaissance since I wasn’t around for the first! Congratulations on TMNT and all the recent momentum.

[I love hearing all of this, A.S. First, I’m thrilled that our books and worlds and ideas stimulate others to stretch their imaginations and be creative. Second, we do truly appreciate our fans; they’re the best and nicest in the world. Third, buckle up, because Palladium’s second renaissance is exactly what Sean and I are working toward! Keep your imagination burning bright. – Kevin]

R.L. in Mobile, Alabama, writes (in part): Grab Bag #3 ... Mr. Siembieda, thank you for sharing these worlds that you have created with us. Your imagination has helped fuel many stories at my table. And thanks to everyone who has contributed to making these worlds a reality ... Love your products ... looking forward to seeing what’s coming in the future. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Happy holidays, R.L., thank you for your kind words. As we rebuild and reorganize Palladium Books for the future, you’ll continue to see positive improvements, more product releases, and the books everyone has been waiting for (and more). – Kevin]

K.H. in Dacula, Georgia, writes (in part): Congrats on the massive success of the TMNT campaign. Hope it results in you guys being able to hire more full-time talent to get through your projects.

[That’s part of the plan, K.H., good stuff is coming. – Kevin]

J.R. in Fort Collins, Colorado, writes: You guys rock. Thank you for years of inspiration. On a bus ride to middle school, many years ago, a friend showed me TMNT. Now, in my corner of the Megaverse, portions of the After the Bomb® world have Dimensionally Shifted into Rifts North America. My player characters are an underground railroad helping mutant animals and D-Bees get out of war zones and Coalition Territories, and into relatively safe spots. Of course, the City of Filly, D-Shifting into Shemarrian territory does not sit well with ARCHIE. Happy Holidays to all of you, and thanks!

[Sean and I like what you’ve done with your blending of the two settings. Keep your imagination burning bright and happy holidays. – Kevin]

R.V. in Petrolia, Ontario, Canada, writes (in part): Thank you for the many years of roleplaying goodness. Keep that inspiring imagination growing. I’m looking forward to your many new releases. I cannot wait to explore more of the many worlds that evolve out of that. Have a great Christmas and to all of you and the staff, best wishes from Canada.

[Thank you, R.V. for your kind words and humbling praise. We can’t wait to give you a ton of new books for Rifts, Palladium Fantasy, Beyond the Supernatural and ... well, everything. We have so many ideas for exciting new releases. – Kevin]

L.M. in Christchurch, New Zealand, writes (in part): I’m falling in love with the Rifts® setting. Completely new to Palladium and I’ve been trying to learn how to play and run Rifts ... Glitter Boys are F$#@ing cool. I’ve actually used them as inspiration for a mech design in a lancer campaign I’m in ...

[Welcome to the Megaverse®, L.M., where you are limited only by your imagination. Be patient with yourself and have fun with the rules and setting. – Kevin]

M.B. in Godollo, Hungary, writes: Dear Kevin and Everyone at Palladium. I’ve been playing Rifts® for 28 years now. As I’m preparing an epic dimension-hopping campaign for my RPG group (who haven’t played Rifts yet, but I’m sure they’ll like it), I’m reading more and more sourcebooks for this super-genius game, and I’m getting hooked all over again! So it’s time to get all those supplements I want for my Rifts library, as there are so much great material.

As someone writing to you from Hungary, I’m always surprised to see so many people who know Rifts®, and others who play/played it. It might be a new Golden Era beginning here, who knows? I wish good health and creative energies for the coming years, and I hope we will see Palladium Books getting where it wants to be.

[Thank you, M.B., for the high praise, kind words, and well wishes. A new Golden Era for Rifts® in Hungary, eh? Cool. I will need to figure out a way to make Rifts® Hungary truly special if we cover it in the future. Take care and game on. – Kevin]

J.F. in Charlotte, Michigan, writes (in part): Mark Oberle introduced me to Rifts® this year at Gen Con. It was awesome and I am so grateful to him for doing that. Kevin, if you happen to read this: I am so very grateful to you and everyone at Palladium for creating and maintaining this wonderful universe for all these years. Please keep the amazing content coming!

[That Mark Oberle is a great guy and a talented author. Glad you enjoy Rifts® so much J.F., you can count on a whole lot of new content coming your way in the years ahead. If you ever find yourself near Westland, Michigan, you’ll need to swing by the office for a tour. Merry Christmas. – Kevin]

R.W. in Sterling, Virginia, writes: Thanks so much for staying true to the hobby! I always prefer physical media over virtual. I grew up loving D&D and Rifts®, and been gaming with my current group for several years now. Keep it old school and happy holidays to you all!

[Change happens, R.W., but we will always be true to our roots and the types of games we love. Happy holidays to you and yours. – Kevin]

D.S.J. in Manitou Beach, Michigan, writes: I love Palladium Fantasy. It was the first tabletop game I ever played when I was 13, and have been hooked ever since. Still my favorite game.

[That’s very cool, D.S.J., I love the Fantasy game too and it’s my go-to game to run. I think you’ll like the Nightbane® RPG too. – Kevin]

B.M. in Danville, Kentucky, writes (in part): Started with Palladium in the 1980s. Love the system and really enjoyed the first Fantasy RPG that I bought. Thanks very much to all of you for years of entertainment.

[I’m digging the love for the Palladium Fantasy RPG, B.M. It and Heroes Unlimited are usually battling it out for our second and third best selling game lines. Game on. – Kevin]

K.U. in Denton, Texas, writes: Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all at Palladium Books! We love you and are wishing nothing but the best in 2024 and beyond. Remain steadfast and thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do. P.S. Get well soon, Wayne.

[We will remain steadfast in creating outstanding games and sourcebooks, K.U., we promise. Wayne is undergoing physical therapy for his banged up leg, and doing much better hobbling around on crutches at the Palladium office and warehouse for a few weeks now. However, the poor guy undergoes knee surgery in February, and will have to go through rehab therapy a second time. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and yours, K.U., and to all our fans, friends, and family members. – Kevin]

R.V. in Petrolia, Ontario, Canada, writes (in part): Merry Ho Ho and a happy New Year. Let’s hope Santa brings us all good roleplaying gear. May Jack Frost and Old Man Winter be kept at bay while we stay by the fire and enjoy some game play ...

[Sounds like a merry ol’ plan, R.V. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. – Kevin]

N.C. in Green Island, New York, writes: I just want you all to know that I always look forward to the Surprise Package every year and how much hard work you all put into it. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

[Thank you N.C., it’s nice to know we are appreciated, because the Surprise Packages are a ton of work and dominate most of our time from Black Friday till Christmas Eve. Ah, but it is worth it to make so many gamers happy. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you, your family, and your gaming pals, N.C. – Kevin]

E.A. in Lacey, Washington, writes (in part): Rifts® has been my go to since 1991. Recently, our group decided to run a Heroes Unlimited adventure. It has been a fun two months for that, almost 5 years since I ran that genre. Nightbane®, oohhh that is fun ... every time we play in this world! And I LOVE how Ninjas & Superspies with Mystic China fits so comfortably with EVERY Palladium Books game. Yay for the return of TMNT & Other Strangeness! Kevin, Sean and everyone else at Palladium Books, you each bring us wonderful stories and great art, thank you ... I have run games in the field while in the Service, in college, and at so many malls to show the amazing depth of your games. Cheers to the future, and all that each of you touch, imagine, create, and share.

[Thank you E.A. for your kind words and high praise. We love what we do and pour our hearts and souls into every book. I’m glad it shows in our depth of story, characters, world building and fun factor. We are over the moon that our books have brought you and your players so much joy, and we appreciate your many years of support. Keep your imagination burning bright and we’ll do the same. Happy Holidays. – Kevin]

R.L. in Mobile, Alabama, writes: Thanks for all you do and for this fantastic Christmas Grab Bag; I always enjoy opening them. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

[Thank you, R.L., we are delighted you always enjoy the Grab Bags, and we hope your Christmas and the New Year is filled with joy and happiness. – Kevin]

© 2023 Palladium Books Inc. All Rights Reserved. Palladium Books®, Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, The Mechanoids®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, Powers Unlimited®, Splicers®, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb®, and all related titles, names and slogans are trademarks of Palladium Books.

This Update may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.