How is Palladium doing?

[the Jester]

I remember a big hoo-ha a while back involving Palladium being in trouble, and fundraisers and stuff... how are they doing? I'm not the biggest fan of the system or the guy running the company (friend of a friend worked for him briefly etc story), but I wish the industry and every gaming company well on principle (including Palladium, from whom I have looted many an idea).

 

[Felon]

Against all odds, one of gaming's most mismanaged companies is still managing to publish material for one of gaming's most cumbersome systems. Siembieda announced his companies woes, and people responded. Gotta admire that. It's bizarre just what will attract a diehard following in this day and age.

 

[Quantarum]

Our local Barnes & Noble moved locations to a larger store recently and I was surprised to read in the paper that their entire stock had been returned and entirely new stock was being ordered. I was curious to see if the new store would bring a better RPG section, as at the old store it was literally non-existent. Opening day I found a full selection of 4E, WoD, Shadowrun and much to my surprise some Rifts and a copy of Heroes Unlimited (aka Heroes Very Limited). You could have knocked me over with a feather.

-Q.

 

[Felon]

Our local Barnes & Noble moved locations to a larger store recently and I was surprised to read in the paper that their entire stock had been returned and entirely new stock was being ordered. I was curious to see if the new store would bring a better RPG section, as at the old store it was literally non-existent. Opening day I found a full selection of 4E, WoD, Shadowrun and much to my surprise some Rifts and a copy of Heroes Unlimited (aka Heroes Very Limited). You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Did you buy anything?

 

[JeffB]

I don't have any issues with them- or Kevin but it seems many do.

All I really have to say/add to the convo was they have a *very* loyal following and I cannot say I blame them, PAlladium offers a helluva lot of gaming bang for the buck in their books- the layout may not be so great and it may be all B&W, but they are usually PACKED with lots of useful material- no "filler", no BS.

Frankly I prefer that approach- I don't need or want $30-$50 "pretty" books like WHFRP or Conan D20 or Draconomicon. I'd rather pay $25-$30 for the PFRPG (2E) or a typical Palladium "big" release than I would (e.g.) Adventurers Vault or MOTP any day of the week.

Not to mention- they have that "written for the hobbyist, by the hobbyist" attitude/personality that hearkens back to the early days of the gaming industry. Kinda like Chaosium. There is a "face" to the company. I like supporting that kind of company as do their hardcore fans. I don't get enough (or any) "warm fuzzzies" from WOTC or WW, or Mongoose or even plenty of newer small (but popular here on these boards) RPG companies to really care.

 

[Mark]

Did you buy anything?

Just the feather.

 

[Treebore]

I don't love the company, but I LOVE their Paladium Fantasy stuff. Not so much the rules, they do have their issues, fortunately fixable. But man! The imagination, creativity, and pure inspiration I get out of those books just makes them some of the best buys I have ever made.

EDIT: I can say the same about RIFTS too. Lousy rules, but man do I love the material!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

That's the usual mantra- KS has unlimited creativity, but his games' mechanics are suspect.

Seriously, I sometimes have dreams about Palladium's IP being given a once-over and getting ported into something like HERO or 3.X. Or maybe Monte Cook could do a version, starting up a series of conversions following in the footsteps of his MCWoD. Or maybe Bruce Cordell?

Seriously.

 

[Lord Xtheth]

My FLGS hasn't bought a single new Palladium book since they had their troubles. I thought they fell through honestly. I haven't checked their website however, so I guess I've kept myself out of the loop.

 

[Yalius]

Looks like $185/oz., up a dollar since yesterday and down from $375/oz. since January 2.