Palladium Books® Weekly Update – December 30, 2010

By Kevin Siembieda

This is the last Weekly Update of 2010. In some ways the year just flew by faster than lightning. In other ways, it seemed very, very long.

This time last year, I suggested that one of two things would unfold for Palladium Books in 2010. One was the grim outlook in which the economy stayed sluggish, sales plummeted and we’d falter. The other was positive and hopeful with plans to release a lot of new products and make a resounding leap forward. Hope for the Rifts® movie option to be exercised and the film green lit was also present. We feared the worst, but hoped for an amazing year.

As it turned out, neither scenario unfolded. The only thing I got right was quoting Yoda from Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back:

“Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.”

2010: A brief year in review

Though the economy remained sluggish the first half of 2010, the year started out strong for Palladium. Dimensional Outbreak™ and especially Rifts® Triax™ 2 sold well and created a lot of excitement. The 2010 Palladium Open House was also a great success. Things were looking good.

Then came the bad news.

Dad’s cancer was back and wouldn’t let go. He’d need to have his urine bladder removed. A serious surgery, especially for a 79 year old. As if that weren’t enough, legal issues over a trademark would add to our headaches and cost us in time and money.

Though my Dad’s surgery went well, ultimately my beautiful father, Henry Siembieda, would lose this battle. On October 11, 2010, seven weeks after surgery, he passed away due to complications. The loss was not just mine, but felt by everyone at Palladium. My Dad had worked at Palladium for 20 years. He was a friend to everyone here, as well as many local freelancers. He had been like a second father to Alex and his passing impacted us all.

A few weeks later, we settled the lawsuit. (Sorry, I cannot disclose any details.)

All of this prevented Palladium from getting more than a small fraction of the many books we had planned to produce in 2010 released. Very disappointing for you. Frustrating as heck for us. Without new product, a company struggles. Yet, somehow, we managed to slog through it all as best we could. Along the way, it seemed like many of Palladium’s freelancers and friends were dealing with losses of their own, be it a home, job or loved one.

Compared to the first three quarters of the year, the maddening hustle and bustle of the holidays seemed calm by comparison. At Palladium, holiday sales were strong. If we had managed to release more new products, sales would have been outstanding. Alas, we could not. I wasn’t even able to find the time to mail out Christmas cards this year with my usual update to my freelancers and investors.

2011 – The New Year

Rather than focus on the past year, I look forward to the future. For the last six weeks, I’ve been plotting and planning our goals and release schedule for 2011. I think you’ll like it.

We’re starting with new books that were scheduled for 2010 but didn’t make it. Hotly anticipated titles that should meet with your expectations: Armageddon Unlimited™, Thundercloud Galaxy™, Rifts® WB One: Vampire Kingdoms™, Expanded & Updated, Robotech® New Generation™ Sourcebook, Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™, Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames, and The Rifter® #53 and #54 all out by Spring. With a little luck, Dead Reign™ Sourcebook Three, Rifts® Lemuria and Rifts® Chaos Earth™: First Responders Sourcebook will also be out before Summer.

In addition, we have many other titles in development. I want to see much more support for Palladium Fantasy®, Robotech®, Nightbane® and Chaos Earth™. Plus a few surprises. Will that happen? I’m sure we’ll succeed on some fronts and fail on others, but that’s our goal.

I’m sure some folks will note that I always post big, hopeful plans for the New Year, get people excited about upcoming releases and then fail to deliver. Unfortunately, they are correct. All too often, something comes up and it messes with our ability to release all the products we have anticipated. We’re a small company which means sometimes our release schedules get devastated. My apologies. However, we’re optimistic by nature, so here we go again. ;)

There are two notable differences this year. 1. All the books listed above are titles that we had planned to release last year. Most are written and awaiting final rewrites, editing and artwork. These aren’t speculative projects that may or may not get started this year, they are ready for final production. 2. For many reasons Palladium’s staff and freelancers are galvanized. There is an excitement in the air. We are motivated to get product finished and in your hands.

There’s something else too. I feel different. My mind clear and focused. My spirit at peace. I can’t explain it, but somehow my father’s death and finding those cards from him, when I did and how I did, have brought me a new sense of peace and clarity. Looking back, I think I was suffering from burnout and grief the past 2-3 years and not functioning at full capacity. The loss of Erick Wujcik was devastating, and there had been one loss and crisis after another these past few years that knocked the wind out of all our sails. I don’t understand it, but somehow my father’s passing has changed all that. I feel aware, focused and highly motivated. I’m filled with ideas and energy. I’ve been talking with freelancers and laying the groundwork for a vast range of projects and products. None of which I’m talking about just yet.

With any luck, we are done with death and disaster for a while. I’m looking at 2011 as the year we can focus on new strides in creativity and releasing a truckload of new product. Time will tell, but you don’t have long to wait. 2011 is almost upon us, and you’ll see whether books are coming out soon enough.

Back in print. To start the year off with a bang, Palladium is bringing back EIGHT out of print titles. All are fan favorites and titles you’ve been asking for. More will follow.

2011 – Palladium turns thirty

Palladium turns 30 in 2011. Thirty years under one vision. I can only think of one or two other role-playing game companies that can make that claim. So we must be doing something right. That having been said, we’re not complacent with that. We want to push the envelope and take role-playing to heights of adventure and imagination. We want to surprise and wow you. We’ll be breathing new life into our existing worlds, adding new ones, and taking you on adventures you’ve not yet begun to imagine.

For the last two months, I’ve been brainstorming, plotting and planning. I’ve been talking to friends and freelancers, and putting things into motion to make 2011 the start of a new era for Palladium Books. When people look back at Palladium another 30 years from now, I want 2011 to be the year that shines out as our new beginning.

So stick around for the next thirty years. And while you’re at it, spread the word. Evangelize the fun and value of pen and paper role-playing games. Help new people to discover the magic and the Megaverse of Palladium Books.

Little more than one week left to get your Christmas Surprise Package. I just don’t want people to miss out.

This Weekly Update is pretty jam-packed with new information, so I’ll leave some of our plans and news for next time.

Please note the Christmas Surprise Package “fan comments” are located at the end of this week’s Update. With this being the last WU of 2010, I thought it would be fun to include comments from me and the Palladium crew. I hope you enjoy them.

Special thanks to fans Liz and Leigh for the delicious Christmas and Dead Boy cookies. Yum. It was very nice of you. Though with all the goodies we’ve gotten this year (thank you Carl, Brian, Christine, Kathy, Cheryl and Randi) I’m starting to get round like Santa.

Happy New Year to you from all of us at Palladium Books. May it be filled with adventure, joy, love and prosperity.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher

Christmas Surprise Packages – Only TEN DAYS left
– OFFER EXTENDED through Sunday, January 9, 2011

Christmas Surprise Packages are selling like hot cakes on a cold day, but there is little more than ONE week to get yourself one. Order before it is too late!

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!

  • Get $80 or more (often $90+) worth of Palladium product for only $37 plus shipping and handling.
  • Get those World Books and sourcebooks you’ve been meaning to pick up.
  • Get enough gaming material to keep you busy half the Winter.
  • Get original art or prints.
  • Get T-shirts, magnets, and other cool stuff.
  • Get each book autographed by Kevin Siembieda and the Palladium crew.
  • Wow your friend, spouse, sibling, parent or favorite Game Master with a stack of books that will have him or her thinking you spent a fortune instead of $37 (and shipping). Or get a book for several friends.
  • Try a new Palladium game setting.
  • Complete your collection.
  • Great gifts for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
  • Great for trying out a new game or world setting.
  • Ideal for Canada and Overseas Palladium fans, because even with shipping you are paying around the cover price for books, plus getting autographs and other goodies. We highly recommend folks overseas try to take advantage of this opportunity.
  • Cost for most people in the USA is around $45 with shipping and handling!

    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.

    Note: Fan comments from Christmas Surprise Packages are found at the end of this Weekly Update.

    2011 Releases

    All January releases are definite. All other dates are tentative, but are the dates we are shooting for.

    January
    - Rifts® World Book 20: Canada – Back in print – January 5
    - Rifts® Dark Conversions – Back in print – January 5
    - Palladium Fantasy RPG® – Back in print – January 14
    - Rifts® Game Master Guide – Back in print – January 14
    - Rifts® World Book 5: Triax & The NGR – Back in print – January 14
    - Rifts® Bionics Sourcebook – Back in print – January 14
    - Rifts® China One – Back in print – January 14
    - Rifts® Megaverse Builder – Back in print – January 14

    - The Rifter® #53 – New! January 14, 2011
    - Armageddon Unlimited™ – New! January 25, 2011

    February
    - Rifts® Book of Magic – Back in print – February 7, 2011
    - Rifts® Dimension Book™ 14: Thundercloud Galaxy™ – New! February 21
    - And maybe another reprint or two.

    New Releases Coming Soon (tentative)
    - Rifts® WB One: Vampire Kingdoms™, Expanded & Updated (March)
    - Robotech® New Generation™ Sourcebook (March)
    - Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™ (March or April)
    - The Rifter® #54 (April)
    - Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames (Minion War™ crossover; April or May)
    - Dead Reign™ Sourcebook Three
    - Rifts® World Book™: Lemuria
    - Rifts® Chaos Earth™: First Responders Sourcebook
    - The Rifter® #55 (July)

    In the Pipeline
    - Robotech® UEEF Marines and other Robotech® sourcebooks.
    - Rifts® sourcebooks
    - Rifts® Chaos Earth™ sourcebooks
    - Palladium Fantasy® ™: Mysteries of Magic™ Two & Three
    - Palladium Fantasy®: Other sourcebooks.
    - Warpath™ Urban Jungle RPG
    And other good stuff. Lots of other good stuff!

    Back in print

    Rifts® World Book 20: Rifts® Canada™
    – Back in stock January 5, 2011

    A comprehensive overview of Canada, including notable places, cities, towns, people, O.C.C.s, monsters and conflicts. Though much of Canada has reverted to wilderness, there are pockets of civilization and technology, though not all of them human.

  • The Inuit Shaman O.C.C. and abilities.
  • 12 Monsters of the North, including Sasquatch and Loup Garou.
  • 7 demonic beings including Demon Bears, Windigo and Sedna the Sea Hag.
  • 8 D-Bee R.C.C.s common to Canada, including the Cyber-Horsemen of Ixion R.C.C. (bionic Centaurs).
  • The Headhunter O.C.C. defined. Includes the Techno-Warrior, Assassin, Anti-Robot Specialist, Techno-Hound, and Momano Headhunter.
  • Tundra Ranger O.C.C.s: Ranger, Scout, Cavalry, and Trapper-Woodsman.
  • Techno-Wizard Bionics and notable gear of the Tundra Rangers.
  • The Canadian frontier mapped and described.
  • City of Old Calgary, Fadetowns and notable cities and locations; some with maps of the area.
  • Travel rules for snow, ice, and arctic conditions, plus storms, flash floods and other weather events.
  • Rules for hypothermia and exposure.
  • Written by Kevin Siembieda.
  • 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 835.
  • Back in stock January 5, 2011.

    Rifts® Dark Conversions™
    – Back in stock January 5, 2011

    The focus of Dark Conversions™ is on creatures of darkness and other monsters such as Alien Intelligences, Elementals, were-beasts, vampires, weird supernatural beings, the Nightbane and others. If you are looking for practitioners of dark magic, villains, monsters and vile horrors to pit against your heroes, this is the sourcebook for you. Many creatures also have notes on how they fit into the Rifts Earth setting and where they may be encountered.

  • 130 monsters statted out and described for your inclusion in Rifts®, Chaos Earth™, Phase World® or any Mega-Damage setting.
  • Were-Beasts, Gremlins, Gargoyles and spirits.
  • Undead legions, Demon and Deevil hordes from the world of Palladium Fantasy RPG®.
  • Conversions for the Nightbane® and the Nightlords™ and their minions.
  • Alien Intelligence creation rules and tables.
  • Elemental beings of lesser and greater stature.
  • Entities and monsters from Beyond the Supernatural™.
  • Dark Magic: Witches, Shifters, Diabolists, and Summoners.
  • Written by Kevin Siembieda and others.
  • 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 852.
  • Back in stock January 5, 2011.

    Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®
    – Back in stock January 14, 2011

    A complete role-playing game set in a unique realm of high fantasy and epic adventure that has thrilled fans for 27 years. All the fantasy elements you’d expect are there, but spun in ways that you may not expect. Magic has replaced science. The elder races of Dwarves, Elves and Titans have given way to the rise of humanity and the Wolfen Empire. While the monster races – Goblins, Orcs, Ogres and Trolls – lay claim to the Old Kingdom, from which they launch their pillaging raids. And that’s just the beginning.

  • 13 different races available to player characters from human to Wolfen, Changeling, Elf, Dwarf, Ogre, Troll, Goblin, and many others.
  • 25 Occupational Character Classes to select from.
  • Magic unlike any you’ve ever seen before.
  • 300+ Wizard and Warlock spells.
  • 80+ psionic powers.
  • 40 magic items plus magic potions, powders and fumes.
  • 20 Curses and magical Faerie Foods.
  • Summoner and the circles of power and summoning at his command.
  • Diabolist and his Runes, Wards and Power Words.
  • Mind Mage, Psi-Mystic, Psi-Healer and Psi-Sensitive.
  • Poisons, herbs, potions and magic components.
  • Men at arms with punch and power.
  • Holy Swords and Rune Weapons.
  • 100,000 years of history.
  • A complete game with all the rules you need to play (additional sourcebooks, characters, abilities and settings optional).
  • 336 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 450.
  • Back in stock January 14, 2011. At the printer.

    Rifts® Game Master Guide
    – Back in stock January 14, 2011

    The ultimate Rifts® reference and sourcebook, it contains all the weapons, equipment, body armor, power armor, robots, vehicles, skills and psionics from Rifts® World Books 1-23, Sourcebooks 1-4, and Siege on Tolkeen 1-6, collected into one big reference. Plus, maps, lists and indexes of O.C.C.s, R.C.C.s, experience tables and more.

  • 503 weapons, including explosives, plus E-Clips and ammo notes.
  • 300 skills listed and described.
  • 290 pieces of equipment.
  • 104 suits of body armor.
  • 182 vehicles.
  • 86 suit of power armor.
  • 58 robots.
  • Optional combat rules and examples of play.
  • Comprehensive index of O.C.C.s, R.C.C.s, P.C.C.s, and monsters.
  • Experience tables for scores of character classes.
  • Designer notes, rules clarifications and reference notes.
  • Game Master tips and hints for running Rifts®.
  • Maps, adventure ideas, and a lexicon of terms.
  • Cover by David Dorman. Interior art by Perez, Wilson & others.
  • 352 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 845.
  • Back in stock January 14, 2011. At the printer.

    Rifts® Bionics Sourcebook™
    – Back in stock January 14, 2011

    A compendium of bionic and cybernetic systems in the Rifts North America setting, with information about Partial and Full Conversion Cyborgs, Headhunters, City Rats, the Cyber-Doc and more. A must-have resource for fans of cyborgs.

  • 220+ bionic components and features plus foreign bionics.
  • 47 Commercial Cybernetic implants and 24 Black Market bionics.
  • 7 different City Rat O.C.C.s and insight to life in the ‘Burbs.
  • The Cyber-Doc O.C.C. explored in more depth.
  • The Cyber-Snatcher Villain O.C.C. dealing in “previously owned” bionics and cybernetics. Want to guess how they come by these parts?
  • The Cyborg O.C.C. revisited plus rules & info on repairing bionics.
  • TW Bionics, cybernetics to inhibit magic and more.
  • 112 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 850 – by Kevin Siembieda.
  • Back in stock January 14, 2011. At the printer.

    Rifts® World Book Five: Triax and the NGR™
    – Back in stock January 14, 2011

    The New German Republic (NGR) is surrounded and besieged by the hostile Gargoyle Empire – an empire of giant monsters. Only the superior robotics and weapons technology of Triax keeps the monsters at bay, but for how long? This epic World Book presents the Triax robots, power armor, cyborgs, and world setting that is Rifts Germany and surrounding region. More than 100,000 copies sold!

  • 35+ weapons and explosives, plus body armor and other gear.
  • 19 combat vehicles from tanks to jet aircraft.
  • 12 Triax giant robot suits and vehicles.
  • 9 other types of Triax robots and drones.
  • 8 Triax Cyborgs plus bionic components.
  • Triax power armor units including the T-550 Glitter Boy.
  • 11 NGR Military O.C.C.s.
  • The Euro-Juicer and designer drugs.
  • Gypsy O.C.C.s and their special abilities.
  • The Gargoyle Empire and its technology and war machines.
  • 21 notable weapons of the Gargoyle Empire and 4 R.C.C.s.
  • Setting and regional overview, Brodkil, Gene-Splicers and more.
  • Cover and art by Kevin Long. 13 pages of comic book story.
  • 224 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 810 – by Kevin Siembieda.
  • Back in stock January 14, 2011. At the printer.

    Note: For dozens of new weapons, armor, robots, drones, power armor suits, cyborgs, vehicles and updated information about the NGR, Triax and the war, see Rifts® World Book 31: Triax™ 2 – 192 pages – $24.95 – Cat. No. 881.

    Rifts® World Book 24: Rifts® China One
    – Back in stock January 14, 2011

    There is no place on Rifts Earth more exotic, magical and dangerous than China, especially since the Hell of the Yama Kings has bled into the mortal plane.

  • 33 Chinese Demons, including Yaksha the Tiger and the Naga.
  • 8 Chinese Goblins and the Naga-Spawn (semi-divine humans).
  • 5 Chinese Ghosts, plus the Terra-Cotta Warriors.
  • 24 Demonic Curses.
  • 11 provinces and the Yama Kings who rule them.
  • The eight Hells on Earth.
  • The Dragonlands, the Ghost City, Qingping Market, City of the Future, Wuchang, and many other notable places.
  • World overview, maps and adventure ideas galore.
  • 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 857 – by Wujcik & Siembieda.
  • Back in stock January 14, 2011. At the printer.

    Note: For 18 new O.C.C.s, heroes of the Celestial Court, Geofront, secret technology, mystical powers, Demon Wrestling, Demon Quelling, Chi Weapons, martial arts and more, see Rifts® World Book 25: Rifts® China 2 – 160 pages – $20.95 – Cat. No. 858.

    Rifts® Dimension Book™ 7: Megaverse® Builder
    – Back in stock January 14, 2011

    Your guide to creating your own corner of the infinite Megaverse®. The big picture of how the Megaverse® works, plus rules and suggestions for creating your own dimension.

  • Dimension creation rules.
  • Dimensional storms and anomalies.
  • Dimensional monsters and travelers.
  • The dimensions of Spires, the Great Machine, and the Garbage Pit.
  • Dozens of Hook, Line and Sinker™ adventure outlines and ideas for many more.
  • The Shifter O.C.C. expanded, exotic Familiars & summoning table.
  • Tolkeen Artifact Hunter O.C.C. and Scavenger O.C.C.
  • Designer notes, suggestions, tips & hints for dimension building.
  • 96 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 859 – by Carl Gleba.
  • Back in stock January 14, 2011. At the printer.

    Rifts® Book of Magic
    – Back in stock February 7, 2011

    This is it, the ultimate guide to magic for Rifts Earth. All the magic spells, magic tattoos, Techno-Wizard items, magic weapons, equipment, body armor, restraints, parasites, Symbiotes, magic items, Bio-Borgs, armor, Automatons, Iron Juggernauts, and more from Rifts® World Books 1-23, Sourcebooks 1-4, and Siege on Tolkeen 1-6, collected into one big reference.

  • 850+ spells of great variety.
  • 370+ magic items, weapons and devices.
  • Elemental Magic, Temporal Magic, Ley Line Magic, Cloud Magic and Necromancy.
  • Tattoo Magic, Nazca Line Magic, Nature Magic, Whalesongs and Ocean Magic, and more.
  • Magic Songs, Chants, Biomancy, Magic Herbs, and Iron Juggernauts.
  • Techno-Wizard weapons and devices, Rune Weapons, Millennium Tree wands and other magic items.
  • Magic herbs, plants, components and Symbiotes.
  • Shamanistic magic, Fetishes, Talismans and more.
  • Comprehensive index of Practitioners of Magic.
  • Designer notes, comments, tips & hints for running magic characters.
  • 352 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 848 – Siembieda and others.
  • Back in print February 7, 2011.

    And don’t forget about . . .

    “Property of the Coalition States” Coffee Mug – BACK IN STOCK

    White printing on a big, glossy black, 15.5 ounce coffee mug. Looks cool and is a fan favorite.

  • $10.00 per mug – Cat. No. 2543 – Available now.
  • Holds 15.5 ounces of coffee, hot chocolate, soda, or whatever it is you like to drink.

    “Gamer Logo” Coffee Mug – BACK IN STOCK

    White printing on a big, glossy black, 15.5 ounce coffee mug. Looks great.

  • $10.00 per mug – Cat. No. 2537 – Available now.
  • Holds 15.5 ounces of coffee, hot chocolate, soda, or whatever it is you like to drink.

    NEW! The Rifter® #53
    – January 14, 2011

    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:

  • Ravages of Time, by S.E. Gibbons, is an interesting Rifts® article with tips for Game Masters and playing sprawling epic sagas like the Minion War™ and Siege on Tolkeen.
  • ARCHIE Phase Two, by Damon Sutton. This Rifts article takes a look at more machinations of our favorite mechanized menace, ARCHIE Three™.
  • On Faerie Folk, by Michael P. Yocom, offers up a menagerie of new Faerie Folk, cousins and animals for the Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® settings.
  • Dawn of a New Era, by Corey Livermore, presents an adventure in a setting for Heroes Unlimited™ in which mutants and aliens are being forced to “register” with global governments, or else.
  • The Lucky Psychic, by Steven Dawes, presents a new Beyond the Supernatural™ psychic who makes his own luck.
  • A Dark Day™ Short Story, by Jeremy Hutchins, will keep you wondering what’s next.
  • The next chapter of the Hammer of the Forge™.
  • Plus news and coming attractions.
  • Heroes Unlimited™ cover by Zachary Schoenbaum.
  • More of the usual, but in addition to game material and fiction, you’ll learn what Palladium has planned for 2011.
  • $11.95 retail – 96 pages – Cat. No. 153. January 14, 2011.

    NEW! Armageddon Unlimited™ for Heroes Unlimited™
    – Ships January 25, 2011

    Demons and Deevils are fighting for dominance of the Earth, and if they can’t win, nobody can have it. They’ll destroy the planet.

    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.

    Armageddon Unlimited™ is more than an epic, world-saving adventure, it is also a sourcebook jam-packed with new powers, magic, weapons and Power Categories that can be incorporated into any Heroes Unlimited™ campaign.

    Highlights include:

  • 7 new Minor and 14 Major Super Abilities.
  • Deevil and Demon magical Chaos Weapons.
  • Enchanted Weapons of Order.
  • Demon Hunter Power Category and abilities, ‘nuff said.
  • Crusader of Light Power Category and abilities allow you to play a Champion of Light.
  • Heroic Hellion Power Category and abilities allow you to play a “reformed demon.”
  • Magically Bestowed Variant Power Categories and abilities let you wield weapons that empower good and destroy evil.
  • Demonic monster creation table.
  • More than a dozen NPC villains.
  • Arcane orders, secret societies, and magic guilds.
  • The Chaos Generator and the threat of Armageddon.
  • A menagerie of evil villains, people and places.
  • The Armageddon scenario and adventure ideas.
  • Written by Carl Gleba. Additional text by Kevin Siembieda.
  • Cover by John Zeleznik.
  • 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 527. January 2011 release.

    NEW! Rifts® Dimension Book™ 14: Thundercloud Galaxy™
    – February 21, 2011

    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.

  • The galaxy described; history and time-line.
  • 16 new alien R.C.C.s, plus notes on the Exiles and Dominators.
  • 6 new O.C.C.s.
  • Monster and Animal Creation Tables.
  • Guidelines for Magic Weapon Making.
  • Notable weapons and technology.
  • Notable organizations and secret societies.
  • The Trensik Mercenaries.
  • The Vortex Region.
  • The Splugorth Kingdom of Desslyth and many other notable worlds.
  • New worlds of adventure.
  • Written by Braden Campbell. Art by Michael Mumah.
  • 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 883. February 21, 2011.

    NEW! Rifts® World Book One:
    Vampire Kingdoms™, Expanded & Updated

    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™.

  • The observations of Doc Reid.
  • Vampires: Their strengths, weaknesses and powers.
  • The Vampire Kingdoms expanded.
  • Vampire strategies and plans for conquest.
  • Vampire hunters and Techno-Wizard slayer devices (new and old).
  • Key locations including Juarez and El Paso.
  • The mystery of the Yucatan Peninsula.
  • Traveling Shows, Freak Shows and Circuses.
  • Monsters, D-Bees, and adventure ideas galore.
  • Updated and revised to 110 P.A.
  • Cover by E.M. Gist. Interior art by various artists.
  • Written by Kevin Siembieda.
  • 192 to 224 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 802-E. Early 2011.

    NEW! Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™
    All new source material

    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.

  • Vampire protectors and guardians.
  • Vampire rogues, mercenaries and warlords.
  • Vampire operations away from the Kingdoms.
  • Vampire incursions along the southern borderlands.
  • New vampire hunters and human strongholds.
  • Vampire hunter “exterminators.”
  • Frightful revelations, secrets, and adventure ideas.
  • And much, much more.
  • Cover by Michael C. Hayes. Interior art by various artists.
  • Written by Kevin Siembieda, Braden Campbell and Mark Dudley.
  • 128 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 884. Early 2011 release.

    NEW! Robotech® New Generation™ Sourcebook

    This Robotech® sourcebook will be an early 2011 release.

  • Rules for using mecha, power armor and technology from all four eras of Robotech.
  • Kit-bashed mecha and rules for jury-rigging and combining parts from different generations of mecha.
  • Freedom Fighter O.C.C.s and resistance organizations.
  • Rogues and misfits from the three Robotech Wars.
  • New weapons, vehicles, mecha and more.
  • Villains, traitors, bandits, Invid henchmen, adventure and adventure ideas galore.
  • Written by Kevin Siembieda and Irvin Jackson.
  • A “manga” size sourcebook.
  • 192-256 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 554. Final page count and price may be subject to change. Early 2011 release.

    NEW! Rifts® World Book: Lemuria™

    At last, the underwater realm of Lemuria. The people and history of Lemuria, new magic, sea herbs and healing, sea monsters, and more.

  • The Lemurians, their race, history and society.
  • New O.C.C.s including the Serpent Hunter, Shriekers, Oceanic Guardsman, Aquatic Biomancer and others.
  • The Stone Guardians of Easter Island and other mysteries.
  • Biomancer Gardens and Aquatic Biomancy.
  • Bio-Armor, Bio-Weapons and Bio-Construct Symbiotes.
  • New psionic abilities.
  • Sea Serpents, monsters, adventure ideas, and more.
  • Written by Greg Diaczyk.
  • 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 885. Final page count and price may be subject to expansion and increase. Spring 2011.

    NEW! Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames™

    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.

  • Soulmancer and Blood Magic.
  • The Seven Deadly Plagues.
  • The Demon Plagues across the globe.
  • Battleground: Earth – as demons and infernals amass their legions.
  • Rifts Calgary – also known as Hell’s Pit; the kingdom described.
  • 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.
  • Global chaos and the places most dramatically affected by the Demon Plagues.
  • Notable demonic generals, mercenaries, people and places.
  • Many adventure ideas.
  • Written by Carl Gleba.
  • 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 876. Spring 2011.

    NEW! Rifts® Chaos Earth™ Sourcebook: First Responders

    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.

  • Apocalypse Plagues: Strange diseases, symbiotes and mutations that transform, torment, harm and kill Earth’s survivors.
  • First Responder O.C.C.s, skills and special equipment.
  • Civilian O.C.C.s, skills and orientation.
  • Notable rescue vehicles, robot drones, and technology.
  • New weapons, vehicles, mecha and more.
  • Character modification and enhancement rules.
  • Creatures from the Rifts and adventure ideas galore.
  • Written by Jason Richards & Kevin Siembieda.
  • 96 to 128 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 665. Coming in 2011.

    DriveThruRPG

    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:
    - 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.

    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.

    The Queen of Ghouls: Life-Sized Halloween Props

    Start planning for Halloween early as Palladium’s very own Kathy Simmons will start to offer her 2011 selection of life-sized (most are 6 feet or taller) Halloween props that are to die for.

    Each is an all-weather, life-sized Halloween prop that can handle rain and snow, and is a one-of-a-kind work of art (no two are exactly the same). Each looks frighteningly “real.” All come apart and fold down to slightly larger than a king-size pillow for easy storage. Comes with easy instructions, a plastic storage bag, and the lawn stake to stand it 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 $99-$179. You can see some of her work at her Queen of Ghouls™ Ebay store – queenofghouls.com.

    Some Fan Comments Pulled from Christmas Grab Bags
    with brief responses from Kevin Siembieda

    M.S. in Dayton, Ohio, writes: . . . I have managed to find something great in all of your books. Keep them coming.

    (Thanks, M.S., we try to make every book special and have a mountain of ideas for new books. – Kevin)

    P.D. in Silver Lake Wisconsin, writes: I love your books and ideas. You guys do great work and I am proud to play your games. Hopefully we can all keep the RPG world alive. Also, just curious, what is your personal favorite world/dimension/game to play in? Open question to any employees. Keep up the fantastic work.

    (Great question, P.D. My (Kevin Siembieda) very favorite setting to play in is Palladium Fantasy®, with Rifts®, Heroes Unlimited™, Beyond the Supernatural™, and Dead Reign™ close runners up.
    Wayne Smith says it’s a tie between Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy®.
    Alex Marciniszyn says his favorite is Rifts® followed by Heroes Unlimited™ and Beyond the Supernatural™.
    Julius Rosenstein’s favorite is Heroes Unlimited™, with Palladium Fantasy®, Rifts® and Beyond the Supernatural™ his next faves, in that order.
    Mark Dudley’s favorites are Heroes Unlimited™ and Rifts®.
    Carl Gleba’s are Rifts®, Phase World® and Palladium Fantasy®.
    Mike “Madman” Leonard says his fave is Palladium Fantasy® with Rifts® a close second and Phase World® third.
    Erick Wujcik’s favorite Palladium settings to play in were Palladium Fantasy®, After the Bomb® and Rifts®, in that order, but he also loved Amber Diceless™ and Advanced D&D, and ran a D&D campaign for something like 27 years. – Kevin).

    R.T. in Sebastian, Florida, writes: I’m glad to see you guys are still cranking out product! I’m sorry for your loss, Kevin, I know your year has been up and down. God be with you and your loved ones. Thank you for keeping Palladium and its wonderful staff of writers and artists up and running. Also for making Palladium such an approachable, down to earth, friendly, and accessible entity. I hope to see you guys cranking out books for years to come! Your loyal fan for 23 years.

    (Thank you R.T., I’m doing okay and feel my Dad looking over my shoulder and smiling every day. As for being accessible and down to earth – that’s just who I am, and birds of a feather flock together, so that includes most of the Palladium crew. As for cranking out books for years to come, God willing, you can count on it. – Kevin)

    J.S. in Studio City, California, writes: Thanks so much for the years of fun. Probably kept me from getting into real trouble growing up. Merry Christmas. Get cracking on an MMO so I can quit WOW, please!

    (You’re welcome J.S. We’ve tried to get an MMO going on three different occasions now, but so far no luck. Who knows what the future may hold? – Kevin)

    E.A. in Phoenix, Arizona, writes: I have played since 1989 . . . Innumerable hours and days have been shared with fun, great and hilarious people through this medium of gaming. Thank you, Kevin, for this wonderful Megaverse of awesomeness.

    (You are very welcome, E.A. We’ll try to keep the awesomeness coming. Seriously. We have soooo many great ideas for new books. – Kevin)

    S.T. in Walla Walla, Washington, writes: I have [recently] read Rifter 9 1/2 front to back, and I have to say that the guy that lent it to me and I had one HELL of a hard time finishing it – with the tears welling in our yes, the constant gut-churning laughter, and the snickering and giggling in between. I’m surprised ANYONE could make it through that book. Thank you for the laughs, and here’s to more to come.

    (Yep, The Rifter 9 1/2 is special and funny. We had a blast putting it together. – Kevin)

    M.H. in Lewisville, Texas, writes: Simply phenomenal for you guys to step up and do this [the Christmas Surprise Package], year in and year out, for over 12 years running. You are in a class of excellence all your own. It is a shame more would not follow your lead.

    (Thanks M.H., it is nice of you think so highly of us. I must confess, we enjoy doing the grab bags so it’s really a guilty pleasure. I like to make people happy and the holidays special. We’ve always cared about our fans. – Kevin)

    D.R. in Rochester, New York, writes: Thank you for staying with the games even through tough times. A large part of my life has been spent with Palladium’s games and I couldn’t think of gaming without them. I love your games.

    (Fear not D.R., we love what we do, so if you keep buying our games, we’ll keep making them. Personally, I’m looking forward to another 30 years of making games. – Kevin)

    J.M.H. in Englewood, Colorado, writes: After all these years, Palladium is still my absolute favorite. Glad to see Palladium embracing the digital age more via email updates, DriveThruRPG and getting on Facebook. The RPG industry is changing, and your target audience (Tech-Nerds like myself) want to see such a great company like Palladium prosper and expand into even greater audiences and markets. Your dedication and passion for all you do is, I believe, what’s truly kept Palladium going through hard times. Your generosity and personal touches, like the X-Mas Grab Bag are truly unique and outstanding . . .

    (J.M.H., glad to hear we remain your favorite RPG company. Cool. You’ll be seeing more of Palladium in the digital medium as we change and upgrade the Palladium Books website, do more on Facebook and dabble with iPad/iPhone and other digital mediums and products. Hey, you guys and gals are dedicated and passionate about Palladium and our games, it’s only fair to return the favor. Palladium fans are the greatest. – Kevin)

    C.V. in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, writes: . . . When I was a teenager, you brought me and my group of friends much joy and wonderment. As an adult, you continue to provide me a view into a world that is full of wonder.

    (C.V., I enjoyed your entire commentary, but those last two sentences were sheer poetry. I was moved. Thank you. All of us at Palladium will work hard to continue to bring wonderment to all. – Kevin)

    © Copyright 2010 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® 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.

    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.