The year is rapidly coming to a close, but we’ve already been thinking in 2011 for almost two months now. You have to when you’re a business with plans to release new product on a monthly basis.
For us it has been a hectic last several weeks. Folks waited till the last couple of weeks to pour on the Christmas Surprise Package orders, so we’ve been swamped with them.
I sent out a pile o’ Christmas presents. Mostly to long time freelance artists, writers, and others who we work with closely. It’s a large number of items to be wrapped, packaged and shipped, but very worthwhile. I hope everyone enjoyed the surprise. It’s just a little something to say thank you, you are appreciated.
Around this time of year, I usually do a Year in Review and a preview of what you can expect in the New Year as a letter to friends, investors and freelancers. I write something similar and post it here around New Year’s Eve. This year, I just didn’t have the time or energy to write it or even send out Christmas cards. My apologies to those of you expecting a card – there just weren’t enough hours in the day this year.
Next week, I’ll post the “official” Year in Review and 2011 Preview right here. I think the emphasis will be on the things to come.
As for right now . . . it is two days before Christmas, so I’m going to keep this simple.
Christmas Surprise Package offer EXTENDED till January 9, 2010. I don’t care about the economics. I usually extend the Surprise Package offer another couple of weeks, and I’ll do so again this year. Why? Because we’ve come to learn that many good people put their families and loved ones before themselves. They can’t afford to purchase a Grab Bag until AFTER Christmas, when they get their next pay check. Others can’t afford one till after they get Christmas money from Aunt Matilda or Grandpa Fred. Still others somehow miss the deadline and need that extra week or two to finally get their order in. Well folks, this one’s for you. The deadline is extended to January 9, 2011. But that’s it. These next two weeks are your LAST CHANCE for a 2010 Christmas Surprise Package, so get those orders in.
UPDATE: Online sales. With Christmas and the Surprise Packages, sales have been strong. Now just don’t forget about us after the holidays. Actually, that will be pretty impossible as we have a slew of titles coming back into print and a new product to be released every single month. Sometimes two.
UPDATE: The Rifter® #53. We had hoped to get the book to the printer this afternoon, but it looks like it will be Monday. I blame Wayne. Just kidding. We’ve all been working long hours (10-14) every day and even the guys have worked over the weekend these past two weeks. Those Surprise Packages are awesome on so many levels, but they take up a huge amount of our time. Wayne has made plenty of headway and it is another great issue!
UPDATE: Many new releases for 2011. We’re continuing to work at releasing a multitude of new product that will wow and woo you. Count on it. More on them in the next Weekly Update.
UPDATE: Reprints. We have a dozen out of stock books scheduled to return to print starting in January. More on them in the next Weekly Update.
UPDATE: Facebook. Folks are loving it. Join the fun.
UPDATE: Me. I’m doing fine. All of us at Palladium Books are hanging tough and looking forward to time with our loved ones.
The Palladium office party was a blast. Our get together was filled with good food, gift-giving, friendship, laughter and good times. It was truly a joy. In addition to the staff, old pal Ed Kwiatkowski (he contributed art in the early days of Palladium) and the Bellaire family (Carmen, Christine and Robyn) joined the festivities. Time flew by.
For a bit of fun and insight as to why I do the Christmas Surprise Packages every year (it’s all about spreading the joy), read the comment by D.B. in Omaha, Nebraska, second one from the end of this week’s selection of Grab Bag comments. Thanks for making me laugh David.
Merry Christmas from us to you. Enjoy the long weekend with your friends, family and loved ones. Share the joy and laughter, and spread good cheer. Remember to let your loved ones know how much they mean to you while you still can. Life, I’m afraid, is shorter than any of us would like to believe. Revel in the beauty and joy of the moment and hold your loved ones close. In between the laughter, love and gift-giving, take time to truly enjoy what you have.
Again, my thanks and appreciation to the multitude of friends and fans who have sent us their love, appreciation and warm wishes in the comments section of the Christmas Surprise Packages, on Facebook and the Palladium website, and in cards and telephone calls. It has been said many times: the Palladium community is like a family. And while we have our characters and troublemakers – like any family or community – we have a pretty awesome family of which I’m proud to be a member. Have a wonderful and safe Christmas/holiday. Keep those imaginations burning bright. Keep the spirit and wonder of Christmas in your hearts, and game on!
– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher
You have two more weeks to get yourself a Christmas Surprise Package.
Don’t forget, the Christmas Surprise Package also makes great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and other special events, as well as an opportunity to fill in your collection and get autographs.
Note: This offer extends only to currently available product and will NOT be held for products released after January 9, 2011. Sorry.
Obviously, without any deadline to receive the package by any particular date, you can opt to use UPS Ground or a variety of delivery methods from the United States Postal Service, even Media Mail. Please note that Media Mail remains the most unreliable method of shipping, cannot be traced and you use it at your own risk. If lost in the mail, Palladium does not replace any order sent by Media Mail.
Canada and other countries. This is your chance to get autographs from the Palladium crew and enough product to compensate for the high cost of shipping.
In case you still don’t know what the Palladium Christmas Surprise Package is: It’s the best bargain anywhere. Palladium RPGs, books, and other products at low prices, plus autographs and surprises!
PLEASE make sure you provide a “wish list” of 8-12 currently available items (RPGs, sourcebooks, T-shirts, coffee mugs, prints, original artwork, and other stuff) or you may be disappointed. Note: Surprise Packages will NOT be held for products released after January 9, 2011. Sorry.
PLEASE list only items you want. Do NOT list items you already have because it may cause confusion and you could be sent items you own instead of items you want.
A Palladium tradition! We’ve been doing the Christmas Surprise Package for 12 or 13 years now. It’s our way of saying thank you to our fans and making gamers around the world smile. Offer ends January 9, 2011, and will not return until next Christmas! Spread the word. These are your last two weeks to order.
Click here for more information and to place an order.
S.H. in Bloomington, Minnesota, writes: Keep up the great work over there. I learned RPGS with your games and they have stood the test of time. After dabbling in several other systems, none come close to yours in terms of playability, flexibility or creativity. I just love Palladium Books.
S.L. in Bellevue, Nebraska, writes: To the Gang at Palladium, thank you! Your products have carried me through my 21 year Air Force career. With all the changes a person encounters during a career in the military, the only real constant from beginning to end has been the fine products of Palladium Books. Over the years, I have purchased this package deal many times, and even did the X-Mas in July this year. I have been more than happy to support Palladium during the rough spots and through the good. I still have my fingers grossed for the movie.
D.S. in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, writes: I’d just like to thank all of you at Palladium for 18 wonderful years of gaming! Unlike other gaming companies, Palladium has never disappointed me. Not once! This is my first time ordering a Surprise Package, but it won’t be my last. I only wish I had started sooner. I hope 2011 is a great year for you and Palladium Books. Merry Christmas!
D.G. in Phoenix, Arizona, writes: Thank you for the work you guys do to make the universe so engrossing. I’ve been playing since 7th grade and this [Rifts®] is by far the best game on the market.
J.K. in Colorado Springs, Colorado, writes: I love your products and glad to see you are still fighting the good fight to keep tabletop roleplaying alive in this era of MMORPGs and computer based gaming.
A.D. in Warren, Michigan, writes: Thank you for providing loads of entertainment to all of us gamers. The new material and ideas you and your staff come up with are excellent. I look forward to new material in the future and hope I can always find time to check out the Palladium website for news and new product releases.
J.G. in Olathe, Kansas writes: First, I want to extend my condolences to Kevin and his family. I have several books with Henry’s autograph, and no one could pay me enough money to let them go. Second, I’ve not ordered a Christmas Package for a couple years. Mostly because of money issues. This year was particularly hard; I was without work for several months. I recently became employed and though things are still tight, this is sort of a gift for me for Christmas and for having work again . . . Merry Christmas to all of you at Palladium Books, and thank you for making this possible.
R.D. in Ames, Iowa, writes: I got this [Surprise Package] a few years ago and it was the most amazing gift. I worked in the printing industry and to be gifted with a printers proof book was simply awesome. Thank you so much for putting out a product that is so good!
S.G. in Redmond, Oregon, writes: Palladium Books is a company at the heart and soul of RPGing and it means a lot to us gamers that you would give us each your personal attention. Merry Christmas!
D.B. in Omaha, Nebraska, writes: [I’m] back from the grave! (Wink). Kevin sent me a hardcover Beyond the Supernatural™ in 2007 [Surprise Package], and I flipped out. My 2008 order, I put in the suggestion to be careful with big surprises like that, it could kill someone. So he sends me a hardcover printer proof of Robotech® with a sticky note inside: “I hope this doesn’t kill you.” Well . . . it killed me. The 2009 year was a rough one financially, but I’ve risen again (nudge) and excited to support the Palladium team at Christmas again. All joking aside, best wishes for Christmas.
P.H. in Chicago, Illinois, writes: I, of course, have been aware of your Christmas Surprise Package in its prior offerings, but was hesitant to take advantage of it as it seemed one of those things that was “almost too good to be true.” I decided this year to finally take a chance, guided by the notion that, yes, even with life and the world being what they are, sometimes things really can be that good. Either way, please know that I am sincerely and profoundly thankful to the many writers, illustrators and talented, hardworking others at Palladium Books – past, present and future – for providing a steady supply of quality entertainment, pleasure and inspiration over the greater part of a lifetime. Best wishes to you this holiday season and in the coming year.
A few comments from Kevin Siembieda: To S.G. in Redmond, thank you for your kind words. I’m glad to offer you and everyone else my “personal attention” with the Surprise Packages. It’s part of what makes them special. Our fans mean a lot to us, and this is our way of giving back and saying thank you, you’re important to us and Merry Christmas.
To D.B. in Omaha, I’m happy to see you’ve returned form the dead. Game on! :)
To P.H. in Chicago. I hope you were pleased with your first ever Surprise Package. I got a kick out of reading that you thought the offer was “too good to be true.” I love Christmas and appreciate fans like you. I’ve often said Palladium fans are the best in the world, and I mean it. This “too good to be true” Christmas offer is designed to make you guys and gals feel as “special” as you make us feel. Thank you P.H. Thank you and Happy Holidays to ALL of you, the Greatest Fans anyone could ever hope for. Have a wonderful weekend. – Kevin S.
The Rifter® is your doorway to unlimited imagination and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. It offers new heroes, powers, weapons, magic and adventure for your games. It presents new villains, monsters and dangers to battle, and new ideas to consider.
The Rifter® #53 includes:
Only you can save the world!
Armageddon Unlimited™ is the ultimate good vs evil setting and adventure. The fate of the world hangs in the balance and only you can stop its destruction.
The bad guys? Super-villain maniacs being manipulated by supernatural evil straight from Hell.
If evil triumphs, the world is destroyed and your heroes and billions of innocent people die.
The world-saving scenario in this book can be repeated in any setting and game environment from Nightbane® or Ninjas & Superspies™ to Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Rifts® and Phase World®. Only the details of the location, the heroes and their powers change. The villains remain the Deevils (or alternately, the demons) as they continue their bloodthirsty war to destroy each other. The worlds of mortals are their battlefields and mortals little more than pawns, henchmen and collateral damage.
Stop the madness before it is too late! If you can.
But that’s not all. Armageddon Unlimited™ is an epic sourcebook with tons of new powers, magic, weapons and Power Categories that can be incorporated into any Heroes Unlimited campaign.
Thundercloud Galaxy™ is the perfect companion to Rifts® Dimensional Outbreak™ to expand one’s gaming Megaverse in the Three Galaxies. History, aliens, weapons, spacecraft, and adventure in a galaxy far, far away.
Kevin Siembieda is reorganizing, tweaking, expanding and updating one of the most popular Rifts® World Books ever published: Vampire Kingdoms™. This will include some new artwork and an expanded page count. The book will be updated and expanded in much the same way as Kevin did with Rifts® Sourcebook One a few years ago. Best of all, it will be accompanied by the Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™.
Trouble is stirring in the Vampire Kingdoms as ambitious vampire lords, ladies and misanthropes seek to expand their power to dominate more mortal life forms.
Written by Kevin Siembieda and a handpicked selection of other writers, this sourcebook explores the vampires of Mexico and their kingdoms in ways you never imagined. Tons of new data, adventure ideas and revelations.
This Robotech® sourcebook will be an early 2011 release.
At last, the underwater realm of Lemuria. The people and history of Lemuria, new magic, sea herbs and healing, sea monsters, and more.
The Minion War spills across Rifts Earth, where demons and infernals hope to recruit allies and use the Rifts as gateways of destruction. Their influence shakes things up across the planet, especially at locations where demons and Deevils already have a strong presence. More details to follow, but for now, ‘nuff said.
Data about the chaos and madness of the early days of the Great Cataclysm, and the brave men and women who tried to stem the tide of destruction and save lives, the First Responders.
White printing on a big, glossy black, 15.5 ounce coffee mug. Looks cool and is a fan favorite.
White printing on a big, glossy black, 15.5 ounce coffee mug. Looks great.
If you have a hankering to fight zombies, but also enjoy stories of human survival and triumph in a post-apocalyptic world, then you want to play Dead Reign™.
Dead Reign™ captures the fun and horror of the zombie apocalypse exactly the way you love it. The dead have risen, civilization has crumbled, and brave human survivors refuse to lie down and die! They battle the walking dead on all fronts, watch each other’s backs, struggle to forge safe havens away from the zombie infested cities, rescue other survivors, and fight without respite.
This sourcebook explores what happens when civilization is literally gone overnight, and the sole survivors are you and a few billion zombies!
When there is no place to hide and the dead are everywhere, where do you go? Who can you turn to? What happens next? What lurks in dark places?
The Book of Heroes is an ancient magic tome that empowers those with the potential for greatness. (Your player character?) In times of fear and darkness the Book is said to appear to make sure the forces of evil don’t get the upper hand. The Minion War™ is such a dark time as the forces of Hell ripple across the Megaverse bringing death and destruction. Are the legends true? Is there a magic book that inspires and empowers new heroes to rise up and make a difference when they are needed most?
The New German Republic splinters the Gargoyle Empire and battles to crush them once and for all.
The epic scale of the Minion War just got bigger and even the United Worlds of Warlock, the Splugorth and Naruni Enterprises are reeling from it. The story hooks are endless.
It’s Winter and time for a warm hoodie on a cold day. A white imprint of the Rifts® Logo on a black zipper hoodie. The famous, full Rifts® Logo appears front and back; a small logo over the left breast on the front and a large logo printed on the back.
Type: 50/50 cotton polyester blend; full zipper.
Sizes: Medium to 3XL.
Color: White logo on a black zipper hoodie.
Cost: $32.95 for Medium, Large and XL, $34.95 for 2XL, and $36.95 for 3XL; plus shipping (approximately $6 to most places in the USA).
Cat. No. 2546. Available now.
A white imprint of a large Rifts® Logo on the front of a black pullover hoodie.
Type: 50/50 cotton polyester blend; pullover.
Sizes: Medium to 3XL.
Color: White logo on a black pullover hoodie.
Cost: $28.95 for Medium, Large and XL, $30.95 for 2XL, and $32.95 for 3XL, plus shipping (approximately $6 to most places in the USA).
Cat. No. 2547. Available now.
We will be adding issues 41-44 of The Rifter® to the list of available titles from DriveThruRPG.com in January, 2011. Other books will be added in the months to follow.
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:
- 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 1-40.
- The Best of The Rifter®
- Deluxe Revised RECON® RPG and Advanced RECON® Sourcebook.
- And more – go to DriveThruRPG.com and check ‘em out.
Halloween may be over, but you can still purchase life sized (most are 6 feet or taller) Halloween props from the Queen of Ghouls – Palladium’s very own Kathy Simmons.
These are all-weather, life-sized Halloween props that can handle rain and snow. Each is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Each looks frighteningly “real.” Can survive all types of weather. All come apart and fold down to slightly larger than a king-size pillow for easy storage. Come with easy instructions, a storage bag, and the lawn stake to stand them up in your front yard. Indoor stand sold separately.
Types of “Ghouls” include: Zombies (all kinds!), killer clowns, wizards, witches, devils, grave ghouls, scarecrows, executioners, mad doctors, deadly nurses, vampires, werewolves, and more. Kathy’s also now offering an array of hand-painted Halloween signs, signs with heads and bodies hanging from them, witch’s brewing pots, Halloween centerpieces and more. Best of all, her high quality creations are much more affordable and imaginative than most competitors or mass produced items in a store, making them affordable Halloween fun.
If you think the photos online look good, you should see them in person. A typical “ghoul,” as she calls her creations, costs $89-$150. You can see some of her work at her Queen of Ghouls™ Ebay store – queenofghouls.com.
© Copyright 2010 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
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.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Beyond the Supernatural™, Chaos Earth, Coalition States, Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, Warpath, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.