Palladium Books® Weekly Update – July 10, 2014

By Kevin Siembieda

I hope everyone in the US enjoyed a fun, long Independence Day weekend. I gave most of the Palladium crew the entire three days off, though Matthew Clements, Alex and I only took the 4th off, and spent the rest of the weekend working away on Megaverse® in Flames™ and The Rifter® #67. Speaking of which, I sure hope none of you think we are looking for sympathy when I talk about working through weekends and putting in long hours. I talk about long hours and working through the weekends so that you know we are not resting on our laurels, but working hard at producing the products you want.

A lot of people seem to think writing (and art and editing, for that matter) comes fast and easy, like rolling off a printer. We wish. Some days you bang out 20-30 pages in that 12-16 hour day. Other times, it’s 5 or 6 pages in the same amount of time. There are days when you’re pulled away by the demands of the business or the writing just comes slowly. That could be due to being tired, emotional state of mind, working on a tough or tricky part of the book (i.e. game mechanics, stats, or something high concept), or just because. I've been writing for more than 30 years now, and there are days where I still can’t figure out why writing went poorly or so well.

Since the success of the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Kickstarter, I get the impression there are some folks who think I sit around on my throne made of hundred dollar bills, sipping a martini while the guys stand around playing games and we all laugh about how it and books are late. Nothing could be further from the truth. All of that money has gone into (or will be going into) the development, manufacturing and shipping of the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ product line. Ninja Division and their crew of talented creators aren’t working for free, you know. And the manufacturing costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even the shipping will be a few hundred thousand! I have not personally taken one red cent from the Kickstarter revenue.

Bringing on a guy like Jeff Burke was essential and he has been a godsend. Not only is Jeff a Robotech® expert with a keen eye for detail, but he is another Jack-of-All-Trades. A dedicated Palladium staffer and hard worker. Jeff is quick to jump in and help on all fronts: Inspecting and approving Robotech® artwork, sculpts and sprues, finding and indicating details that need to be changed and corrected (which has been many every step of the way), reviewing rules, serving as Palladium’s go-to guy in answering Kickstarter emails, and working on many things related to Robotech® and the Kickstarter. That alone is a full-time job, yet Jeff is quick to help out in the warehouse piloting the hi-lo like a pro, helping Julius process orders, helping me to plot and then actually do the massive reconfiguration of the warehouse, answering the phone, and sweeping floors. Jeff also has considerable art talent, so I have been pushing him to contribute a few pieces of artwork to books whenever he can. He’s contributed art to a number of titles the past year, but had the most – something like a half dozen – in NG-2. It’s nice to have, what is in effect, an artist on staff again. You can expect to see more of Jeff’s art in future books. That eye for art has sure served us well in his examining Robotech® illustrations, cards, packaging, sculpts and sprues.

If there is a true hero at Palladium behind Robotech® RPG Tactics™ it is Wayne Smith. Wayne has been the detail guy and the de facto product manager. He has been the liaison between Palladium and Ninja Division, the manufacturing broker, China, and the many other players in this massive project. He’s the guy who has sent out countless emails to the Ninjas, China and God only knows who. Wayne is the guy who has been working with Jeff to ensure quality control and doing inspections and sending comments, changes and approvals on EVERY freaking component in the game line, from game pieces to packaging. And that’s on top of his other obligations as editor, Palladium’s IT guy, and so much more. I can honestly say that Palladium could not have done Robotech® RPG Tactics™ without Wayne and Jeff. And, of course, our Kickstarter backers. Our Kickstarter backers must be applauded, because without them, none of this was possible for any of us. Thank you, so much. Actually, there is a small army of people who have made this product possible, from the Ninja Division crew, to the manufacturers and everyone in between.

A great Palladium Team. It’s not just Wayne and Jeff and I, either. Everyone at Palladium Books works hard and puts in long hours. The unsung heroes behind the scenes work just as diligently. Kathy Simmons processing orders, handling payroll and bookkeeping, and customer service; Alex Marciniszyn our research guru, editor, and customer relations; Julius Rosenstein our shipping specialist and main warehouse guy who does double-duty as a proofreader and Palladium’s go-to Game Master for local events. Then there’s Matthew Clements our on-again, off-again employee and freelance writer.

And here’s the thing, they ALL work above and beyond the call of duty. They all chip in on every front and do anything that is asked of them. They are amazing, wonderful people. And I’m proud as hell of each and every one of them. We are more than a team, we are a family. And that holds true for most of Palladium’s freelance writers, artists and volunteers. I don’t know why, but I have been blessed all my life in being able to surround myself with some of the most talented and wonderful people on the planet. And I include the Palladium fans in that category.

Yes, Palladium seems to be perpetually late on product releases. But it is not for lack of hard work and commitment. The goal of each one of us is to bring you the best gaming products we can muster. We care. We care about our products and we care about you, our fans. Don’t think for a minute that we don’t, or that we are sitting around twiddling our thumbs. We are putting in tremendous effort to give you products that will wow and delight you. I just want you to know that, which is why I talk about how we are hard at work all the stinking time. :)

I know some folks don’t believe it. I understand, because we are “living it” and we can not believe the long hours everyone is working or how fast the days zoom by. But the end product? It delivers in high concept, artwork, wow factor, and most of all, FUN.

And the fun is coming your way on many fronts, my friends. Read on and keep those beautiful imaginations burning bright.

UPDATE: Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ Manufacturing, Shipping and Gen Con

For a few weeks now we have been holding off on announcing when we thought Robotech® RPG Tactics™ “should” arrive from China and begin to ship to our 5,200+ Kickstarter backers. I am so glad we did, because the last several weeks have been crazy and that date has changed many, many times.

The reasons for that are many, but the big one is I don’t think people realize how many components and moving parts there are to making Robotech® RPG Tactics™. As I wrote in a Murmur from the Megaverse® the other day, there are so many print and manufacturing elements that there are three or four different factories (including the printer) making the many component pieces – the rule book, stat cards of varying types and sizes, the dice, Command Point tokens, the actual game pieces, instruction sheets, packaging, prints, etc. – and then it all needs to be printed, trimmed, molded, pressed, gathered, collated, packaged, shrink-wrapped, and boxed and skidded for shipping! Half of it gets transported from one factory and collated at another. A delay or snafu anywhere along the way can delay things 1-4 days each time. Then we need to hit the oceanic shipping dates in China, see it arrive on time in the USA, pass Customs without delay, and get it trucked to the Palladium warehouse to be unloaded, sorted, repacked and shipped to YOU. That’s a lot of moving parts, and we are new to all of it! Fear not, we’re on top of things and have some good news to share.

Here is the plan: This is how things are looking as I write this, barring any unexpected delays. Which could happen. Even a short delay could change everything you are about to read, so keep your fingers and toes crossed.

Palladium will be receiving a container of product every week to ten days starting in August! The first container should leave China July 17, arrive at port in Los Angeles July 31, and ship to Palladium by truck and arrive at our warehouse on August 8 or so.

As soon as we get the product, we will start shipping to our valued Kickstarter supporters. Julius and Alex will continue to ship product while the rest of us are at Gen Con Indy. When we return from Gen Con, we’ll be assembling a small army of volunteers to help us pull Kickstarter orders and ship ‘em out as fast as we can. Our second container of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ product should also be arriving that same week.

PLEASE NOTE: We do plan to bring a selection of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Wave One product for display and sale at Gen Con Indy. I know that will disappoint some of our Kickstarter supporters, but it is vital to successfully kickoff the launch of this exciting new product line. Gen Con Indy is the San Diego Comic Con of gaming. Not only are there tens of thousands of gamers, but a lot of media. We NEED it to be there, and for sale, to create buzz and take advantage of the excitement that will generate. I hope our backers understand this. We appreciate you, but we also need to do what’s right for the future of this product line. That will benefit you and all Robotech® fans for years to come.

Please keep in mind the following:

● Only a few hundred people will get the product before our highly valued Kickstarter supporters at Gen Con. We will not be offering Kickstarter exclusives at Gen Con.

● Palladium will begin shipping to Kickstarter supporters before we leave for Gen Con and will continue to ship while the bulk of us are at Gen Con.

● REMEMBER, there are more than 5,200 Kickstarter supporters, almost all of whom have ordered many add-ons, so it will take us several weeks to ship ‘em all out, no matter what we do.

● Sorry, we can not possibly bring your order with us to Gen Con. This is a much bigger, bulkier product than books. To bring even 100 full orders would fill up several pallets worth of space we just don’t have at our booth.

● If you are a backer and attending Gen Con Indy, please visit Palladium Books at Booth #1223 to see what will be coming to you in a few weeks, and so that we can shake your hand and thank you personally for making this outstanding product possible. We could not have done it without you. All of us at Palladium Books, Ninja Division, Harmony Gold USA, and every Robotech® fan who enjoys this product owes you a debt of gratitude. Take a bow. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

UPDATE: Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ Battle Foam Bags

Nine tall pallets of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Battle Foam Bags arrived at the Palladium warehouse Tuesday afternoon. They look pretty sweet. Those of our Kickstarter backers who got one as an add-on should be very pleased. The bags will ship with the rest of the Wave One items.

UPDATE: Palladium Warehouse

The floor has been cleared in the warehouse for the arrival of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ – 40+ pallets are anticipated in that first container.

UPDATE: Rifts^® Megaverse^® in Flames^™

I’m writing, editing and plugging away. Anticipating an end of July release.

UPDATE: The Rifter^® #66

This fun issue, with Heroes Unlimited™, Rifts®, Phase World® and Splicers® source material, is almost sold out. Fewer than 100 copies remain in stock. Get ‘em while you can.

UPDATE: The Rifter^® #67

Editing is mostly done. Art is being finished. End of July release! More Rifts®, Splicers® and HU2 material. See the description later in this Update.

UPDATE: Dead Reign^™: Graveyard Earth^™

Art continues to come in. Still shooting for a July release but may slip into August. We want it in time for Gen Con.

UPDATE: Surprise

Some of you will love the surprise, some of you won’t care. It did not take much of our time and we think it’s fun. I hope you enjoy it. Will announce it in a week or so. Will have it in time for Gen Con.

UPDATE: Robotech^®: Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook One

– Formerly titled ‘UEEF Marines’

Summer release. See the description later in this Update.

Find issues of The Rifter^® and 90+ out of print Palladium Titles on DriveThruRPG.com

Wayne will continue to add a couple issues of The Rifter® to the 90+ PDF products available on DriveThruRPG.com every week or two for your enjoyment. Amongst the 90+ Palladium RPG books already available are Splicers® RPG, the original Rifts® RPG, The Rifts® Coalition Wars®/Siege on Tolkeen series, the Rifts® Game Shield, the original Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ World Book, the original Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, first edition rules and sourcebooks for the Palladium Fantasy RPG® and Heroes Unlimited™, The Rifter® issues 1-54 (with new ones being added) and many others. There are also FREE previews on DriveThruRPG.com for Rifts® Northern Gun™ One and Two, Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook, Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ (Revised Edition), Rifts® Black Market, Rifts® Lemuria, Dragons and Gods™, Dead Reign™ RPG, Endless Dead™ sourcebook and others, too. Plus there is special Game Master supplemental material by Carl Gleba and Julius Rosenstein (character sheets, tables, tips and more) and we plan to add more G.M. material and other sneak previews. COMING SOON: Fantasy paper miniatures designed and created by “Madman” Mike Leonard, so check out all the goodies on DriveThruRPG.com.

Palladium Collectibles Available in Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles Store

We have added some new collectibles and out of print titles to my online store, including a couple of printer proofs of Palladium Fantasy RPG® and Heroes Unlimited™ 30th Anniversary Hardcovers, and some other odds and ends. I still haven’t had time to dig out and select a few Chuck Walton original pencil illustrations and sketches to post in the store. Oh, and we have a new, unique item coming in a few weeks that we think collectors will enjoy. Meanwhile, we’ll keep adding items as supplies allow, and as I find other odds and ends as we do more spring cleaning and reorganization. As usual, there are out of print titles, redlined proofreader photocopies signed by me and the staff, signed manuscripts with editors’ corrections, some original art, hardcover books (including Rifts® Northern Gun™ One) and other items you’ll enjoy. There are also hundreds of toys and action figures. All items in the store are from my own personal archives and collection. Take a look every few days as new items are added. There may be some items that are perfect for upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.

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

UPDATE: Palladium Books at Gen Con Indy – Booth 1223

Looking good. More on Gen Con in the next Weekly Update too.

UPDATE: 2015 Palladium Open House (POH) – May 14-17, 2015

A number of you have reached out asking that we at least list prices so you can start planning the expenses for your trip to the Open House next year. My apologies for not getting up the full description and pricing weeks ago. We are buried. For now, here are some details and info. This is just for your information. You can not yet place your orders. But soon.

• Price of admission covers ALL EVENTS, except VIP Thursday. There are no extra fees for gaming events, panel talks or autographs.
• 3-Day Weekend Admission: Friday, Saturday and Sunday – $45 per person
• Friday Only – $25
• Saturday Only – $25
• Sunday Only (the day ends at 5:00 PM) – $12
• VIP Thursday (this is an ADDITIONAL cost) – $87 – if you are planning to attend the rest of the weekend you’ll need to get a weekend admission as well. VIP Thursday is limited to 120 people plus the Palladium Staff and Freelancers. You get the delicious meal catered by Palladium’s very own Kathy Simmons (people rave about her meal), plus you get an extra afternoon and evening of gaming (opens late afternoon), a more intimate chance to talk with Palladium staff, artists and writers, and first crack at rare collectibles, prints and original art.
• 30+ Palladium creators. In the past, the POH usually has 30+ creators (writers, artists, editors, staff, Rifter contributors, etc.) attending. More than at any other convention or gathering anywhere, ever! And most are available to you almost the ENTIRE event to chat with you and sign autographs. Some will even run gaming events!
• 90+ gaming events. Game Masters/Megaversal Ambassadors NEEDED!
• Many games run by the people who make them, including Kevin Siembieda, Julius Rosenstein, Carmen Bellaire, Brandon Aten, Taylor White and many others!
• More panel talks than ever!
• Auction and more.
• A family reunion atmosphere.
• And it all happens at the Palladium warehouse and offices, where the magic happens! Okay, not quite “all.” When the gaming stops around 1:00 AM every night, the hotel has a large conference room where you maniacs can continue to game till you drop. There is room for at least 8 games in the room.

2015 Open House Hotel – reserve your rooms NOW!

You should reserve your hotel room now. Your card will not be charged until next May.

Comfort Inn

40455 Ann Arbor Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone: 734-455-8100
Group Code: Palladium Books – you MUST request the Group Code “Palladium Books” at the time of booking to ensure the correct rate will be quoted and billed to you.
Dates of the 2015 Palladium Open House (POH): May 15-17 (May 14 is VIP Thursday), 2015.

$109.00 (plus tax) per night at the Comfort Inn, a.k.a. “Plymouth Clock Tower Hotel.” That’s $109 (plus tax) for a room with two queen beds or one king with a sofa that has a pull-out sleeper. ALL rooms have a micro-fridge, FREE hi-speed wired/wireless Internet and there is a FREE hot breakfast from 6 A.M. to 10 A.M. near the lobby.

Reserve using Group Code Palladium Books sooner than later. The hotel has been remodeled, resulting in a smaller number of rooms. If you know you are coming to the 2015 Palladium Open House, we recommend you reserve your room as soon as possible to get this superior rate. Important Note: You MUST give them the Group Code: Palladium Books to get this rate. Call 734-455-8100 to make your reservation. The hotel does NOT charge your credit card until a few days before the event (next year!) and you can cancel up until May 10, 2015. So there is no reason to wait. Get your room(s) reserved right away. Besides, I suspect POH attendees could take EVERY room in the hotel next year, so the sooner they know that, the sooner they can put MORE rooms aside for us. They don’t believe we’ll sell out the hotel. Silly, new management. :)

The hotel also offers a heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness center (24 hours), and a coin operated laundry. And the large conference room is ours to use, around the clock, for open gaming.

This is the hotel everyone knows and wants. You can start placing hotel reservations for the 2015 Palladium Open House now. Make sure you tell them the Group Code “Palladium Books.” This is a must to get the superior group rate.

Closing Thoughts

It is all coming together: Book titles, surprises, Gen Con, Robotech®. We’re excited as can be to see Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Wave One getting made, and we can hardly wait till the first container from China arrives at the Palladium warehouse. This last year and a half has been one heck of a roller coaster ride. Sure, we’re tired. Sure, we wish we could have a less pressing workload, and hopefully, we will down the road, but we are able to do it because we love our fans and we love what we do.

And I do mean “we” – all of us. When Jeff Burke came to work for us, he was dropped into the crucible. His first year (yeah, it has been one year already) has been a baptism of fire. I worry sometimes that it’s too much pressure and work for the “new guy.” I brought this up earlier this week. Jeff’s response, “Are you kidding, Boss? I love working here. Yeah, we work hard, but I’ve never been anyplace where we laugh so much, and I can’t believe I’m involved with something like Robotech® RPG Tactics™. I’m not going anywhere.” I think that sums it up for all of us.

We are thrilled to be bringing you Robotech® RPG Tactics™, and Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames and The Rifter® and . . . well, everything. And we have so many things boiling behind the surface that are going to freak you out (in a good way) when we announce them in the months to come. Have a great weekend and game on.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer and Game Designer

NEW! The Rifter^® #67 – End of July

The Rifter® #67 is about adventure and monsters. Plus news, coming attractions, and more.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas, and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready to go, source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines. And don’t forget, most of the material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

The Rifter® Number 67 includes:

• Heroes Unlimited™ – Power Behind the Throne – by Alex Tullock. Get a glimpse at some of the true powers pulling the strings of governments and their superhumans. Spice up your Heroes Unlimited™ campaign with some political, spy and espionage elements along with supermen. Plenty of ideas for adventures, and includes NPCs and Hook, Line and Sinker adventure ideas.
• Splicers® – House Pandorum: The Chaos Spreads – by Kris Tipping. House Pandorum is back, with new Gardener Biotic enhancements, unique plant creations, Template Biotics and more. Illustrated by Charles “Splicers” Walton.
• Rifts® – Monsters of Africa – by Jeff Duncan. 14 new monsters to add to your Rifts® campaign. Art by Tanya J. Ramsey.
• Rifts® – Outpost F279™: An Adventure – by Anthony Uyl. Looking for a fun adventure to throw at your Rifts® players? Well, here you go. Enjoy.
• News, coming attractions, product descriptions and more.
• Heroes Unlimited™ cover by Michael Wilson.
• Art by Allen Manning, Brian Manning, Mike Mumah, Ben Rodriguez, Tanya J. Ramsey and Charles Walton.
• 96 pages – $13.95 retail – Cat. No. 167. Coming end of July.

NEW! The Rifter^® #66 – Available now

The Rifter® #66 is about people and exotic places. There are the space pirates of Phase World® and the Three Galaxies™; notable Rifts® Black Marketeers, some contraband goods and a Black Market trade town in Rifts® Black Market, Part Two; the Splicers Ranger O.C.C. and a host of genetically manipulated creatures in The Splicers® Bestiary; the villainous Snake Men gang in a Heroes Unlimited™ adventure; and travel from Lazlo to Atlantis in the Rifts® short story. Plus news, coming attractions, and more.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas, and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready to go, source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines. And don’t forget, most of the material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

The Rifter® Number 66 includes:

• Heroes Unlimited™ – Bite of the Snake Men – Adventure by Glen Evans. Villainy, surprises and adventure. An HU2 adventure and a new batch of bad guys to battle.
• Rifts® – Black Market – Rise to Power, Part Two – by Max Kautsch. More source material on the Black Market and one Faction’s bid for power, including some Techno-Wizard contraband and a Black Market Town with notable shops and locations.
• Splicers® Bestiary – by Edward Sauerland. This is exactly what it sounds like – an array of gene-spliced monsters and creatures, plus the Splicers Ranger O.C.C., and all illustrated by Charles “Splicers” Walton.
• Rifts® Phase World®/Three Galaxies™: Space Pirates – by Braden Campbell. The title pretty much says it all: Space Pirates. What more do you need?
• Rifts® Short Story – Skipping Stones – by Brett Caron. The tale starts in the magical city of Lazlo, but takes a turn to Atlantis and the Splynn Dimensional Market where monsters, intrigue and adventure ensue.
• News, coming attractions, product descriptions and more.
• Heroes Unlimited cover by Amy L. Ashbaugh.
• Art by Allen Manning, Brian Manning, Mike Mumah, Ben Rodriguez, Tanya J. Ramsey and Charles Walton.
• 96 pages – $13.95 retail – Cat. No. 166. Available now. Please note the increased cover price.

NEW! Rifts^® World Book 34: Northern Gun^™ Two – Available now

Shipping right now. Order yours today. Rifts® Northern Gun™ Two is the biggest book of vehicles and equipment Palladium has ever produced. You get power armor galore, plus hovercycles, body armor, robot drones, amphibious vehicles, combat vehicles, ground vehicles, and other gear, plus gladiators of the Robodome and hints about things to come and NG’s relationship with the Coalition States. EXPANDED from 160 pages to 256 pages. Epic adventure. Available now.

• 10 robot drones and haulers.
• 30+ NG power armor suits; an expansive range.
• 30+ suits of M.D.C. body armor.
• 20+ types of “armored clothing.”
• 15 vehicles.
• 14 hovercycles and 8 motorcycles.
• 9 amphibious vehicles and watercraft.
• 6 military, armored combat vehicles.
• 4 aircraft and 4 jet packs.
• Miscellaneous combat gear and other equipment.
• Robot Gladiator O.C.C. and robot gladiators.
• The Robodome – Robot Gladiatorial Arena.
• Pirates and more.
• Written by Matthew Clements and Kevin Siembieda.
• Interior artwork by Walton, Bradshaw, Manning, Mumah and others.
• Wraparound cover by John Zeleznik.
• 256 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 888. Softcover available now. The special Megaverse Insider hardcover editions are in and should start to ship by the end of next week.
• Check out the FREE Sneak Preview #1 and Sneak Preview #2 on DriveThruRPG.com!

HOT! Rifts^® World Book 33: Northern Gun^™ One – Available Now!

If you are getting NG-2 you’ll want NG-1, even though both titles stand alone. Rifts® Northern Gun™ One is the most tech-filled World Book Palladium has ever produced, and gamers are loving every page of new weapons, robots, power armor, vehicles and NG background.

• In-depth look at Northern Gun, its robots, stores, politics and operations.
• 70+ NG weapons; old and new.
• 27 NG giant combat and exploration robots. Described in detail.
• Many new robot weapon systems and features.
• Notable cities and people of the Ishpeming Republic/Northern Gun and much, much more.
• Wraparound cover by Chuck Walton.
• Written by Matthew Clements, Kevin Siembieda and others.
• 224 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 887 – Available NOW!
• Check out the new FREE Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com!

NEW! Rifts^® World Book 35: Megaverse^® in Flames^™ – Ships July

The Minion War spills across Rifts Earth, where demons and infernals hope to recruit allies and use the Rifts as gateways of destruction across the Megaverse. Their influence shakes things up all over the planet, especially at locations where demons and Deevils already have a strong presence. Demonic supernatural beings run rampant and wreak havoc across the world. Megaverse® in Flames™ is in final production and ships in July.

• Demon plagues and mystic blights.
• Soulmancy and Blood Magic revealed.
• Magical and demonic weapons and war machines.
• Demonic armies, strongholds and places of evil.
• Hell Pits and Rune Forges.
• Many Demon Lords, their minions and plans.
• Calgary, the Kingdom of Monsters; in detail.
• Ciudad de Diablo, Harpies’ Island and other notable Hell holes on Earth.
• Lord Doom, Pain and other demonic leaders.
• Horune treachery, Dimension Stormers and other villains.
• Notable demonic generals, mercenaries, people and places.
• Battleground: Earth – as demons and infernals amass their legions.
• Global chaos and the places most dramatically affected by the Demon Plagues.
• Epic battles and adventure ideas galore.
• Written by Carl Gleba. Part of the Minion War “Crossover” series.
• 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 876. Ships July, 2014.

NEW! Dead Reign^™ Sourcebook 5: Graveyard Earth^™ – Ships July

When the dead rise and communications and power grids collapse, nothing matters except your own survival. But what about the rest of the world? What’s happening in other places? Has any government survived? Is anyplace safe? Dead Reign™ Graveyard Earth™ tries to answer those questions and others. And in doing so, provides gamers and G.M.s with more fuel for adventure.

• Zombie World Tour – How the Wave and the Zombie Apocalypse have played out across the globe.
• A Thousand Miles of Dead – Getting home from abroad in a world of zombies.
• American military forces overseas and their journey home.
• Alternative campaign settings and Random Campaign Setting tables.
• Random Encounters by Region and Random Survivor Leaders.
• Level of Zombie Threat table. Zombies and exposure to the elements.
• Walled cities and other Alternative Safe Havens.
• Car problems, aircraft landing conditions and encounters on the road and by sea.
• Written by Matthew Clements. Cover by E.M. Gist.
• 48-64 pages – $12.95 retail (tentative) – Cat. No. 235. Ships July, 2014. In final development; page count and date of release yet to be determined.

NEW! Robotech^®: Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook One

– Formerly titled ‘UEEF Marines’

Robotech®: Expeditionary Force Marines sourcebook is set in space with the UEEF (United Earth Expeditionary Force) led by Admiral Rick Hunter. This valiant force of mecha clad heroes travel across the galaxy liberating planets from the bondage of the Invid Regent, the Robotech Masters and other tyrants and monsters.

• New mecha and weapons of the UEEF Marines.
• New UEEF Marine character classes and background.
• Alien species and allies.
• Planet hopping, adventure and much more.
• Epic battles and adventure ideas galore.
• Written by Irvin Jackson. Additional text by Kevin Siembieda.
• 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 553. Summer release (shooting for August).

Coming BACK IN PRINT – Rise of Magic^™

A Rifts^® Chaos Earth^® Sourcebook – Summer

Rescheduled for a summer release.

The return of magic has empowered humans with strange and wondrous powers, unlike anything quite yet seen (and different from most conventional types of magic). This only complicates things for Earth’s defenders as the line of distinction between “good guys” and “bad guys” begins to blur.

• Chaos Magic, new magic specific to the Chaos Earth® setting.
• More than 100 unique Chaos Magic spells.
• New magic O.C.C.s like the Blue Zone Wizard and Chaos Wizard.
• New evil magic users like the Chaos Witch and Demon Caller.
• More on NEMA and the Demon Plagues.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda.
• 64 pages – $14.95 – Cat. No. 662. Ships Summer (shooting for August).

Heroes Unlimited^™ 30th Anniversary Hardcover Edition – only $40 while supplies last

Half of the Heroes Unlimited™ RPG Hardcovers are already sold. ONLY 200 copies remain. This HU2 30th Anniversary Edition is visibly different (and cool) than the original hardcover and cannot be confused with the earlier printing. We have kept the price an unprecedented, low $40 for a hardcover Gold Edition of this size. We want to give Heroes Unlimited™ fans a crack at purchasing one before the price skyrockets on the secondary collectors’ market. The original HU2 hardcover sold for $50 and has since become a collector’s item that sells for $200-$350 on the secondary market. Enjoy and game on!

• Limited to 400 signed and numbered copies.
• Signed and numbered on the credits page by Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium staff. We’ll try to get an artist or two to sign as well.
• Blue fabric cover with gold foil imprinting. A completely new and different cover than the original HU2 Gold Edition.
• Interior pages are exactly the same as the original HU2 HC and the current softcover edition.
• Create any type of hero and superhuman – aliens and mutants to super-soldiers, martial artists, mages and Mega-Heroes.
• 100+ super abilities, plus scores of sub-powers.
• 100+ magic spells plus Enchanted (Magical) Weapons and Objects.
• 40+ psionic abilities.
• Super-Vehicles, high-tech hardware, in-depth characters and more.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda. Cover art by Michael Wilson.
• 352 pages – ONLY $40 retail from Palladium Books only – Cat. No. 5000HC – available now, direct from Palladium Books. Sorry, this product is not available in stores. Note: The price is only $40 to celebrate the proud event of HU2's 30th Anniversary and make sure the hardcover is accessible to our core fan base. Enjoy.
• A complete role-playing game with many sourcebooks.
• Heroes Unlimited™ – celebrating 30 years of heroic adventure.
• Also available as a 352 page “softcover” edition – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 500 – Available now.

Just a few notable Heroes Unlimited^™ Sourcebooks:

Instantly expand your playing experience with these and other HU2 sourcebooks.

• Villains Unlimited™ – 80+ villains, rules for creating secret organizations, gadgets, adventure ideas and more.
• Heroes Unlimited™ G.M.’s Guide – with 10 complete adventures, additional and optional rules, many random tables, 70 more magic spells, new vehicles and equipment, the law, G.M. tips and more.
• Powers Unlimited™ One – New powers galore! 120+ Minor Super Abilities, 45+ Major Abilities, 20 more psionic powers and more.
• Powers Unlimited™ Two – 11 new power categories and many sub-set types of heroes, symbiotes, weaknesses, and more.
• Powers Unlimited™ Three – 130 more new powers. ‘Nuff said.
• Heroes of the Megaverse® – A sourcebook that enables you to bring your heroes and supermen (and any of the HU2 sourcebook characters, powers and material) into the Rifts® and/or Phase World®/Three Galaxies™ settings, plus new powers, heroes, superhuman creation tables, and more.
• And other sourcebooks.

NEW! Palladium Fantasy RPG^® 30th Anniversary Hardcover Edition – only $40 while supplies last

The Palladium Fantasy® Special 30th Anniversary Hardcover is selling even faster than the Heroes Unlimited hardcover. We sold 200 copies in half the time! Only 250 copies remain! This Palladium Fantasy® 30th Anniversary Edition is visibly different than the original hardcover and cannot be confused with the earlier printing. We have kept the price an unprecedented, low $40 for a hardcover Gold Edition of this size. We want to give Palladium Fantasy® fans a crack at purchasing one before the price skyrockets on the secondary collectors’ market. The original Crimson Edition sold for $50 and has since become a collector’s item that sells for $250-$400 on the secondary market.

To preserve the value of the “original” Palladium Fantasy RPG® Crimson Edition Hardcover, we have made the 30th Anniversary Edition as visibly different looking on the outside as possible. The material used for the cover is a brown leatherette imprinted with “Elemental Green” foil, different art on the cover, and the words “Special 30th Anniversary Edition.” Even the spine is different looking and the end sheets are without artwork. All the elements described above should make the Palladium Fantasy RPG® 30th Anniversary Hardcover impossible to mistake for the original signed and numbered HC edition.

Second Edition rules. Please note that this hardcover edition is the SECOND Edition rules, exactly the same as the current material in the softcover book. Enjoy and unleash those imaginations.

• Limited to 450 signed and numbered copies.
• Signed and numbered on the credits page by Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium staff.
• Brown leatherette cover with Elemental Green foil imprinting. A completely different cover than the original Crimson Edition.
• Interior pages are exactly the same as the current softcover.
• 30+ different Fantasy O.C.C.s – Mind Mage, Diabolist, Druid, Wizard, Palladin, Ranger, Thief, Assassin, and more.
• 300+ magic spells.
• 60+ magic wards and 50 magic circles.
• Psionic abilities and psychic characters.
• Demons, magic items, weapons, world background and more.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda. Cover art is a Baal-Rog demon.
• A complete role-playing game with many sourcebooks.
• 352 pages – ONLY $40 retail from Palladium Books only – Cat. No. 4500HC – available now! The price is only $40 to celebrate the proud event of Palladium Fantasy’s 30 years of continuous publication and to make sure the hardcover is accessible to our core fan base. Not available in stores.
• Palladium Fantasy® – celebrating 30 years of wonder.

Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ – Coming Summer 2014

This is the game Robotech® fans have wanted for decades.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ is a fast-paced, tabletop combat game that captures the action and adventure of the Robotech® anime. Two or more players can engage in small squad skirmishes or scale up to massive battles. Relive the clashes of the First Robotech War, engage in stand-alone tactical games, or use the dynamic game pieces to enhance your Robotech® RPG experience. Or simply collect your favorite mecha from an expanding range of top-notch game pieces.

Mecha vs Mecha. Take command of the fighting forces of the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) valiantly defending Earth from alien annihilation. Or lead the massive clone armies of the Zentraedi Armada to recover an alien artifact of immense power and enslave humankind.

Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ Box Set – Cat. No. 55100

• Brought to you by Palladium Books®, created with Ninja Division (the creative minds behind Soda Pop Miniatures and Cipher Studios).
• 112 page, full color, softcover rule book. Includes an index and a comprehensive color guide for all Macross mecha in the series.
• 24 Battle Dice, 12 UEDF and 12 Zentraedi.
• 53 color game cards (unit cards, etc.).
• 4x VF-1A Valkyries (in Fighter, Guardian, and Battloid modes).
• 1x VF-1J "Officer" in all three modes.
• 4x Destroids: 2 Tomahawks and 2 Defenders.
• 12x Regult Zentraedi Battlepods.
• 1x Glaug Officer's Battlepod.
• 1x Quel-Regult Recon Battlepod.
• 1x Quel-Gulnau Recovery Pod.
• 1/285th scale, high quality, multi-pose plastic game pieces (40mm to 70mm tall). World-class sculpts from sculptors around the world.
• Game rules use D6.
• Turn-based system of play.
• Scalable from small squad skirmishes to mass battles. Can accommodate two to several players.
• Combat is fast and designed to emulate the anime action.
• Measuring tape required to determine targets and distance.
• Small parts and some assembly required. Game pieces come unpainted.
• Retail Release Date: In stores September, 2014.
• $99.95 retail price – Cat. No. 55100 (Main Box Game).

The First Six Robotech^® RPG Tactics^™ Expansion Packs

The first six expansion packs will be available to retail at the same time as the main box game. Here are the “official” SKUs and retail prices.

UEDF Valkyrie Wing

Build your fleet of Earth defenders with the Valkyrie Veritech Fighter; six figures total.

• 2 Valkyries in Fighter mode.
• 2 Valkyries in Guardian mode.
• 2 Valkyries in Battloid mode.
• Multiple heads for making the VF-1A and VF-1J.
• Plastic game pieces require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, not suitable for children under the age of 13.
• Cat. No. 55201 – $36.95 retail.

UEDF Tomahawk/Defender Destroids

Expand your Destroid squad with these formidable walking tanks; four figures total.

• 2 Tomahawk Destroids – the main battle tank of Destroids, brimming with powerful particle beam cannons for arms, and wielding a battery of missiles and an array of other weapons.
• 2 Defender Destroids – a long-range, anti-aircraft juggernaut capable of shooting down incoming Zentraedi Battlepods and Gnerl Fighters.
• Plastic game pieces require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55202 – $32.95 retail.

UEDF Spartan/Phalanx Destroids

Add some long range power and up-close punch to your army with these valuable Destroids; four figures total.

• 2 Spartan Destroids – civil defense, riot control and deadly in hand to hand combat.
• 2 Phalanx Destroids – a walking, long-range missile artillery unit.
• Plastic game pieces require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55203 – $32.95 retail.

Zentraedi Regult Battlepods

Expand your Zentraedi forces with their main infantry battle mecha; six figures total.

• 6 Regult Tactical Battlepods – the lightning quick Regults, armed with a pair of particle cannons and auto-cannons, attack in wave after wave.
• Plastic game pieces require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55401 – $36.95 retail.

Zentraedi Artillery Battlepods

Give your Zentraedi legion greater firepower with these artillery and support Battlepods; four figures total.

• 4 Zentraedi Support Battlepods, each of which can be made into any of the following:
              Gluuhaug-Regult – Light Artillery Battlepod
              Serauhaug-Regult – Heavy Artillery Battlepod
              Telnesta-Regult – Experimental Particle Beam Battlepod
              Four figures total.
• Plastic game pieces require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55402 – $36.95 retail.

Zentraedi Glaug Command Pack

This diverse pack provides your Zentraedi forces with greater tactical capabilities; three figures total.

• 1 Glaug Officer’s Battlepod – the fast and deadly mecha of Zentraedi field leaders.
• 1 Quel-Regult Scout Battlepod – the stealthy eyes and ears of your Zentraedi battle force; electronic warfare capabilities.
• 1 Quel-Gulnau Recovery Pod – enhances the Glaug’s ability to bring in Battlepod reinforcements. Note: This figure has NEVER before been offered by any company.
• Plastic game pieces require assembly and painting.
• Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not suitable for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.
• Cat. No. 55403 – $36.95 retail.

Robotech^® Macross^® Saga Sourcebook – New 8½ x 11 size – Available now

All the famous mecha and action of Robotech® starts here with the Macross® Saga when an alien armada enters Earth orbit. They have come to reclaim a lost spacecraft that crash-landed on Earth 10 years earlier. A space fortress that Earth’s protectors have rebuilt into their own flagship against alien invasion. The resulting conflict gives birth to heroes and becomes the stuff of legend, but the Earth will never be the same. Robotech® The Macross® Saga Sourcebook is now available as an 8½ x 11 inch sourcebook.

Note: This is the setting for Robotech® RPG Tactics™, so if you’re looking for more information about the mecha, Earth’s defenders, the Zentraedi invaders, and Macross Saga setting, this is the book for you. Epic adventure awaits.

A Robotech® Role-Playing Game Sourcebook:

• Transformable Veritech Fighters known as Valkyries take to the sky to defend the Earth.
• Destroids, giant walking tanks, are among Earth’s front-line defenders.
• The SDF-1 and Earth air, ground and space combat vehicles.
• Zentraedi mecha, powered armor suits, and select spacecraft.
• The Zentraedi warriors, their war machines and culture.
• Notable characters from the TV series statted out.
• Quick Character Creation Tables enable you to make Macross characters in 15 minutes or less.
• New skills and M.O.S. skill bundles.
• The Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG “rule book” is needed to play (Cat. No. 550 or 550HC).
• 128 pages – $16.95 – Cat. No. 551 – standard 8½ x 11 size – Available now.

Gen Con Indy – August 14-17, 2014

Gen Con Indy is going to be the premier convention event for Palladium Books this year. A large booth, special display, a ton of product including Robotech® RPG Tactics™, and all our role-playing games and sourcebooks, art prints, original art, and all kinds of good stuff. There will also be many Palladium creators available at the booth throughout the convention to chat and sign autographs, including writers Brandon Aten, Matthew Clements, Carl Gleba, Carmen Bellaire, Mark Oberle (tentative), me (Kevin Siembieda), Palladium staffers like Wayne Smith and Jeff Burke, and artists including Nick Bradshaw, Mike Leonard, Chuck Walton, and others. And it looks like there will be 50+ Palladium Books RPG events in the official Gen Con program. My heartfelt thanks to the Megaversal Ambassadors spearheading this project, as well as the Game Masters volunteering to run so many events for our many game lines. Awesome.

Palladium Books Gen Con Highlights:

• 50+ RPG gaming events in a dedicated area. More than 3x the number of games ever at a Gen Con. Sign up when you can and make us look good.
• Large exhibitor booth and special display.
• Robotech® RPG Tactics™ products and demos.
• Role-playing game products galore: Rifts®, Robotech®, Splicers®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Nightbane®, Dead Reign™, Beyond the Supernatural™, Ninjas and Superspies™, After the Bomb® and all the rest.
• Special edition books, prints and original artwork.
• Get autographs, chat and have a blast.
• Palladium creators already committed to appear: Kevin Siembieda, Wayne Smith (editor), Jeff Burke (artist & staffer), Chuck Walton (artist), Nick Bradshaw (artist), Mike Leonard (artist), Brandon Aten (writer), Matthew Clements (writer), Carl Gleba (writer), NMI (online admin and MA), Gary Miller (MA Coordinator and the Palladium Onsite Gaming Event Coordinator at Gen Con), and others may be added; subject to changes and addition.

2015 Palladium Open House – May 14-17, 2015

The 2015 Palladium Open House is officially on! This is an event unlike any you have ever experienced. It is more like a family reunion than a gaming convention, with incredible access to Palladium creators (artists, writers, editors, etc.). We hope to see many of you next May in 2015! More information will be posted soon, but start planning for it now and reserve your hotel rooms as soon as possible.

$109.00 (plus tax) per room at the Comfort Inn, aka “Plymouth Clock Tower Hotel.” This is the hotel everyone knows and wants. You can start placing hotel reservations for the 2015 Palladium Open House right now, but make sure you tell them the Group Code “Palladium Books.” This is a must to get the superior group rate.

That’s $109 (plus tax) for a room with two queen beds or one king with a sofa that has a pull-out sleeper. ALL rooms have a micro-fridge, FREE high-speed wired/wireless Internet and there is a FREE hot breakfast from 6 A.M. to 10 A.M. near the lobby. The hotel also offers a heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness center (24 hours), and a coin operated laundry. And the large conference room is ours to use, around the clock for open gaming.

Comfort Inn

40455 Ann Arbor Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone: 734-455-8100

Group Code: Palladium Books – you MUST request the Group Code “Palladium Books” at the time of booking to ensure the correct rate will be quoted and billed to you.

Dates of the 2015 Palladium Open House (POH): May 15-17 (May 14 is VIP Thursday), 2015.

If you know you are coming to the 2015 Palladium Open House, we recommend you reserve your room as soon as possible to get this superior rate. Call 734-455-8100 to make your reservation. The hotel does NOT charge your credit card until a few days before the event (next year!) and you can cancel up until May 10, 2015. So there is no reason to wait. Get your room(s) reserved right away. More information about the 2015 Palladium Open House is coming soon. Game on!

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:

• The Rifter® #53-54 recently added – available now.
• Splicers® RPG.
• Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, First Edition Rules.
• Boxed Nightmares™ for BTS, First Edition Rules.
• Nightbane® Book Four: Shadows of Light™.
• The Mechanoids® RPG and The Mechanoid Invasion® RPG Trilogy.
• Palladium Fantasy RPG®, First Edition Rules and select 1st Edition sourcebooks.
• After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks.
• The Rifter® issues 1-54.
• The Best of The Rifter®.
• Deluxe Revised RECON® RPG and Advanced RECON® Sourcebook.
• And more – go to DriveThruRPG.com and check ‘em out.

© Copyright 2014 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®, Chaos Earth®, and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. RPG Tactics™, Beyond the Supernatural, Coalition States, Dead Reign, 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.

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.