Believe it or not, Palladium Books has hit the release dates of its first four products for 2002, and we plan on continuing to hit release dates throughout the year.
Yes, we may miss a deadline here and there, but we are aiming to "hit" 90% of them on time or no more than a week or two late. So far, so good.

A lot of new product for 2002

What can we tell you? While other game companies are stalled and sluggish, Palladium's creators are bursting with ideas.

Ideas that will breathe new life, excitement and sales into our existing product lines and create entirely new worlds of adventure! New games and new gaming environments to challenge one's creativity and unleash the imagination! Any one of which could be the next "big thing."

Creators Siembieda, Wujcik and Coffin will unleash the excitement throughout 2002.

• Bill Coffin's Land of the Damned three book series is already setting the Palladium Fantasy realm on fire and we've brought in artists Larry Elmore and Tim Truman to help him do it. Next he will explore the Rifts® Megaverse with the Phase World®: Anvil Galaxy and Cosmo-Knights™ Dimension Books, before tackling an entirely new gaming genre certain to set the gaming market on its ear – RECON® Modern Combat.
• Erick Wujcik is developing adventure-sourcebooks for the new After the Bomb® RPG and an entire city-scape of heroes and villains for the Heroes Unlimited™ RPG. He is also contributing ideas and work to other books.
• Kevin Siembieda is in overdrive, producing one long awaited Rifts® sourcebook after another and developing three new games: Mechanoid Space™, Void Runners™, and Beyond the Supernatural™, Second Edition, plus Chaos Earth™ (serialized in The Rifter®).

The first half of the year will see powerful support for Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy RPG® and Heroes Unlimited™. Sourcebooks that will make these lines vital and in high demand.

The second half of 2002 will see continued support, but also the release of three or four new role-playing games. While The Rifter® serializes the Rifts® prequel saga of the Great Cataclysm, a time and place we call Chaos Earth™ . Look for theChaos Earth RPG in 2003.

Rifts® Adventure Guide
At the printers – ships February 27, 2002

A step by step guide to creating and running Rifts® adventures (and role-playing games in general). A how-to manual by Kevin Siembieda plus viewpoints, suggestions and additional material by other Palladium Game Masters, including Erick Wujcik, Wayne Breaux Jr., and Bill Coffin. Real life playing experiences and lots of examples are presented.

• Over 200 adventure ideas (101 adventure ideas for North America, 32 ‘Burb adventure ideas, plus 10 other adventure ideas, 47 Archetypes, random tables and examples).
  Where to find ideas and how to build them into adventures.
• Game Master tips on structuring and running adventures.
• Creation rules for towns, cities and mercenary companies.
• Rules for creating secret organizations and traveling shows.
• Archetypes for building characters and creating adventures.
• The ‘Burbs – more details than ever before.
• Apocalyptic Earth – towns, barbarians and Dark Age myths.
• Cat. No. 849
• Retail Price: $21.95
• Page Count: 192 pages.
• Cover by: John Zeleznik.
• Interior Art: Perez, Breaux, Burles, Wilson, and Williams.
• Written by: Siembieda, Coffin, and Wujcik.
• Date of Release: February 27, 2002. At the printers.

Rifts® Aftermath
Ships March 26

The aftermath of the Coalition-Tolkeen War has put into motion a number of events and conflicts that will last long after the Final Siege. It's all spelled out here.

• The fate of the Tolkeen refugees, Daemonix and key factions in the War.
• Resistence fighters and new trouble for the Coalition.
• Another Juicer Uprising led by Julian the First as he stares down death.
• The appearance of Larsen's Brigade.
• The continuing role of the Cyber-Knights.
• Castles in the clouds.
• Adventure ideas in and around Tolkeen.
• 50+ page updated World Overview, circa 109 P.A.
• Cat. No. 846
• Retail Price: $17.95
• Page Count: 160 pages.
• Cover by: Dave Dorman.
• Interior Art: Perez, Johnson, Breaux, Wilson, and Burles.
• Written by: Kevin Siembieda.
• Date of Release: March 26, 2002.

The Rifter® sourcebook series
#18 ships April 8

The Rifter® is a combination magazine, sourcebook, fan forum, Game Master and Players' Guide, talent show, news source and fun for fans of all of Palladium's role-playing games.
Each issue includes questions & answers, news and coming attractions, source material for Rifts® and several of the following, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited, Nightbane® or Beyond the Supernatural™, Phase World®, After the Bomb® and others. Contributing writers include Siembieda, Wujcik, Breaux, Coffin, Nowak, and others.

• Chaos Earth™ RPG, by Kevin Siembieda, is a new role-playing game being serialized in the pages of The Rifter® starting with issue #17 and running through issue #21.
• Cat. No. 118 (The Rifter® #18)
• Retail Price: $7.95
• Page Count: 112 pages.
• Cover by: Scott Johnson.
• Interior Art: Williams, Walpole, Breaux, Apollo and others.
• Written by: Kevin Siembieda (24 pages) and many other contributors.
• Date of Release: April 8, 2002.

Anvil Galaxy™
Rifts® Dimension Book 5 for Phase World®
Ships April 23

An overview of the Anvil Galaxy and key people, civilizations and worlds. Much more about the legendary Cosmic Forge and the quest to find it.

• Overview of the galaxy, important worlds and civilizations.
• New aliens and gizmos.
• Legends of the Cosmic Forge and the lengths entire worlds will go through to get it.
• Notable alien races, planets and adventure ideas.
• Cat. No. 847
• Retail Price: $17.95
• Page Count: 160 pages.
• Cover by: John Zeleznik.
• Interior Art: Perez, Breaux, Wilson, and Williams.
• Written by: Bill Coffin.
• Date of Release: April 23, 2002.

For The Palladium Fantasy RPG®
The Land of the Damned™ 2:
Eternal Torment — Ships May 17

The three Land of the Damned books are the latest in the Fantasy series and explore this remote, never before revealed region of the Palladium World. The Land of the Damned is said to be a prison where the Gods of Light have locked away the unrepentant minions, worshipers and dark magicks of the Old Ones. A land where demons are said to roost and war among the mountains and canyons of the forbidden land, and from where adventurers are said never to return.

The Land of the Damned™ One: Chaos Lands. Over a dozen new monsters, demons and demon lords, the Northern Mountains described, legends and rumors, the Great Rift canyon, and over 200 adventure ideas! $20.95 – 192 pages. Available now!

The Land of the Damned™ Two: Eternal Torment. A land of the undead and villainy, dark magic, new types of undead creatures and werebeasts, an evil Faerie Kingdom, an enchanted forest known as the Darkest Heart, maps and adventure ideas.

• Cover by Larry Elmore. May 17, 2002.
• Cat. No. 469
• Retail Price: $21.95
• Page Count: 192 pages.
• Cover by: Larry Elmore.
• Interior Art: Timothy Truman, Scott Johnson, Breaux, and Walpole.
• Written by: Bill Coffin.
• Date of Release: May 17, 2002.

The Land of the Damned™ Three: The Bleakness. The Citadel, a den of wickedness, slavery, and Chaos Magic. Warring hordes of ancient Minotaurs, Harpies, and other fearsome beasts, plus adventure ideas and more. $21.95 – 224 pages. Cat. No. 470. July 2002.

Cosmo-Knights™
Rifts® Dimension Book 6 for Phase World®
Ships June, 2002

A close look at the mysterious space sentinels known as the Cosmo-Knights. Their secrets, their quest, and their connection to the Cosmic Forge.

• Overview of the Cosmo-Knights, their history and their purpose.
• More legends of the Cosmic Forge.
• More about the Three Galaxies and adventure ideas.
• Cat. No. 850
• Retail Price: $17.95
• Page Count: 160 pages.
• Cover by: Cover by John Zeleznik.
• Interior Art: Perez, Breaux, Wilson, and Williams.
• Written by: Bill Coffin.
• Date of Release: June 17, 2002.

Also coming for Rifts® in 2002
Revised Rifts® Conversion Book One, by Kevin Siembieda.
Rifts® Dragons & Gods by Siembieda & Wujcik.
Rifts® Australia Two & Three, by Siembieda & Lucas.
Rifts® Africa Two (tentative)
... and more.

Palladium Weapon Series
Suitable for use with ANY game system

Beautiful little 48 page, comic book sized reference books packed with real world weapons, armor and data. Designed to be easy to use and easy to carry anywhere.

Weapons & Armor: Over 600 different weapons and 35 types of armor from around the world. ALL illustrated. $7.95 retail, 48 pages, striking color cover. Cat. No. 401. Available now.

Weapons & Castles: Different types of bows and arrows, crossbows, siege weapons and 15 real world castles complete with basic floor plans. ALL illustrated. $7.95 retail, 48 pages, striking color cover. Cat. No. 402. Available now.

Weapons & Assassins: Coming soon; probably May or June. $7.95 retail, 48 pages. Cat. No. 403.
Weapons & Armor of the Orient: Coming in August or September. $7.95 retail, 48 pages. Cat. No. 404.

RECON® Modern Combat RPG
June/July 2002

What may be the most requested Palladium role-playing game in the last decade is finally in development. RECON® Modern Combat takes a look at the warriors, lawmen, and secret operatives of our modern world and their war against terrorism, drugs, crime and espionage, as well as their role in national security and military campaigns. It will use the Palladium rules and is being written and designed by Bill Coffin. June 2002!

Mechanoid Space™ RPG

The Mechanoid Invasion® taken to the nth degree, given a few twists and placed on a cosmic scale. The Mechanoids are back! And they are more dangerous than ever, forcing worlds to unite and stand against them.
This new science fiction role-playing game is currently under production and being written by Kevin Siembieda. He wants to make this the ultimate space adventure and combat game. Already in development for two years, we think Mechanoid Space™ is so fresh and compelling that it has the potential of being a Rifts®-scale mega-hit. Watch for it. Summer or Fall 2002 release.

Copyright 2002 Kevin Siembieda
This Press Release may be used and portions reprinted with Palladium's permission for the purpose of news and promotion. Palladium Books®, Rifts®, The Rifter®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Nightbane®, RECON®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, After the Bomb® and Megaverse® are registered trademarks owned and licensed by Kevin Siembieda. Mechanoid Space, Anvil Galaxy, Cosmo-Knights, Cyber-Knights, Coalition Wars, Siege on Tolkeen, Land of the Damned, Heroes Unlimited, HU2, Aliens Unlimited, Coalition Wars, and other titles and names are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books.