Unpacking, Robotech® and Stuff

[Kevin]

Unpacking, Robotech® and Stuff

To give you an idea how hectic things have been these past few weeks, I wrote this Murmur on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, was called away on business and forgot to post it until today!!!

I’ve been trying to fight off a cold (a fight I think I may have lost), catch up on some sleep, and get the new Palladium Books offices and warehouse whipped into shape. The move was all consuming and exhausting for the last three weeks, but we’re starting to get back to normal (whatever that is).

The new warehouse is looking great. The new book shipping/processing area is awesome, and I’d say 85% to 90% of the warehouse is done, up and running.

Ironically, I’ve been so busy with everyone and everything else, that my office is still a wreck – walls of book-filled boxes and paperwork, empty shelves, my desk (half filled) and my computer. Hey, it's enough to work at for now and I hope to unpack 80 boxes of books (my reference library) and reorganize the shelves in my office and the library this weekend.

It was weird – and a bit sad – seeing the old place COMPLETELY empty. I mean, it has been our home for 16 years, since 1992. It all hit me on the drive to the new office, Monday, after a walk-through with the landlord. It's the end of one era and I hope the start of what will be an even grander, new era for Palladium Books and role-playing games. Still, there was a moment of deep melancholy.

New Robotech® RPG is a success

I am thrilled to report that the vast majority of fans love the Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG. Many have been surprised by how much they like the manga-size. Like I said before, I think a lot of people could not imagine it, but once they see and used it, they find the size comfortable, nice and handy.

Of course, there are a handful of folk (I’d say less than 10%) who dislike the manga size, as well as a tiny percentage (way less than half of one percent) who completely hate the book for any number of reasons. However, overall, most gamers are very happy with the new Robotech® RPG. It is selling like hot cakes, and folks are clamoring for more. I’m also tickled that so many of you love the Quick Roll Character Creation Tables. I’m pretty proud of them as they are fun, fast and effective.

We hope to have the Macross Saga and Robotech Masters (Southern Cross) sourcebooks out this summer, and a Deluxe Edition of the Robotech® Shadow Chronicles® RPG out by Gen Con, but only time will tell. Btw, we plan to give the Robotech Masters sourcebook the royal treatment: in-depth coverage, new and updated information, and great new artwork, so you Southern Cross fans can relax, it will be epic.

A few folks have commented that they aren’t thrilled that so many weapons are Protoculture powered, but you know what, after watching the New Generation TV series and Shadow Chronicles DVD movie . . . we are only following what is in the original show and new stories. These weapons and mecha ARE Protocultured powered. In fact, Jason Marker, Doug Lamberson (researcher) and I were surprised at how much we did NOT remember, and how much we missed or tweaked in the past. Like I’ve said before, we are trying to forgot what we did in the past with the old Robotech® RPG books and approached the license as if it was brand new. As if we have never seen it before. We’re approaching all the Robotech® books that way, with a fresh look and a new sense of wonder. Furthermore, there is so much more information available these days via Harmony Gold and the internet. So, like it or not, if you go back to New Gen and Shadow Chronicles, you’ll see that the vast majority of weapons and vehicles are Protoculture powered! Which makes sense. Protoculture is the NEW and superior technology of the UEEF. That’s why the fleet is caught short when the Regess takes most of the Protoculture with her. Oh, and as I’ve said before, I hope to make “spaceships” an entire book of its own.

We are having a blast making the Robotech® RPG series even better the second time around.

I had a nice talk with Erick Wujcik

I spoke with my dear friend, Erick Wujcik, a couple days ago. He sounded wonderful, and he enjoyed hearing about the big move, Palladium’s new home, Robotech® and other projects. Sadly, Erick’s health continues to deteriorate. He is in hospice now. Thankfully, he is not in much pain and he marvels at how peaceful, calm and mentally astute he remains. In fact, he’s been enjoying reading books and visiting with his loved ones.

The Rifter® #42 went to the printer yesterday

The Rifter® #42 was unavoidably delayed by our move. I was just torn in so many directions that I could not get my part of the book (editorial, news, coming attractions and paste up) done. Ironic, because I rode Wayne to get it all finished a week before the move, and, with help from Alex, he did. Unfortunately, the incredible demands on my time involving the logistics of it all stole every waking minute of my time. Wayne, being the good guy he is, surprised me by laying the book out digitally. So all I had to do was finish my writing and send it to the printer, which finally happened today!

The Rifter® #42 should ship around April 25, 2008. My apologies for the delay.

Dyval and other projects

As you might expect, if The Rifter® was delayed, so has everything else. Sorry. Hey, we’ll get caught up, and this move is good for Palladium. I plan to dive into Dyval by the beginning of next week, work progresses on Dimensional Outbreak and we have a number of other projects in development.

Keep the faith. A new era for Palladium Books® and role-playing games has begun.

Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Artist and Game Designer

© Copyright April 11, 2008 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Heroes Unlimited, Beyond the Supernatural, 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.