Palladium Books
Palladium Books is an American publisher of tabletop role-playing games best known for the Rifts game line and its cross-genre Megaversal system.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Palladium Books is an independent American publisher of tabletop role-playing games and related books. Founded in Detroit, Michigan, in April 1981 by Kevin Siembieda, the company developed a distinctive catalogue spanning fantasy, superheroes, horror, science fiction, espionage, post-apocalyptic settings, historical gaming, and licensed entertainment properties. Palladium is headquartered in Westland, Michigan, and remains closely associated with Siembieda, who serves as president and lead designer. The company’s first published game was The Mechanoid Invasion in 1981. It followed with the Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game in 1983 and Heroes Unlimited in 1984, establishing a publishing model built around detailed setting books, character options, and a shared family resemblance among its game mechanics. Palladium later published or licensed games including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness, Robotech, Beyond the Supernatural, Nightbane, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb, Dead Reign, Splicers, Systems Failure, Phase World, and Rifts. Rifts, launched in 1990, is the company’s flagship property. Its setting combines post-apocalyptic science fiction, fantasy, giant robots, dimensional travel, magic, alien civilizations, and superheroes. The premise is that a cataclysmic conflict has destabilized Earth and opened dimensional rifts, allowing technologies, creatures, and cultures from other realities to enter the world. The game’s broad premise and extensive sourcebook line made it particularly adaptable to different campaign styles and power levels, while also giving Palladium a long-running anchor product. Palladium characterizes its underlying rules approach as the Megaversal system. Rather than presenting a universal rules engine detached from setting, Palladium uses related mechanics across multiple fictional worlds. The company became known for successfully applying a recognizable house system to several genres and for publishing games that could be expanded through substantial setting and sourcebooks. The company has historically favored paperback rulebooks and sourcebooks, including perfect-bound formats. Palladium has presented this approach as a way to provide large amounts of game material at a lower retail price than many hardback-focused competitors. Its publishing catalogue also includes The Rifter, a magazine supporting multiple Palladium lines, and a wide range of supplements, adventures, equipment references, world books, and licensed products. Palladium held important licenses during the 1980s and 1990s, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Robotech. Several licenses later lapsed, including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license in 2000 and the original Robotech license in 2001. Palladium reacquired a Robotech license in 2007 and published material connected with Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, but the relationship ended in 2018 after difficulties surrounding the Robotech RPG Tactics miniature-game project. The company experienced serious financial difficulties in the mid-2000s after reporting alleged employee embezzlement and theft, alongside delays involving prospective licensing and media projects. It solicited direct customer support through its online store and an art-print sale. Palladium later faced significant criticism over the execution and fulfillment of the Robotech RPG Tactics Kickstarter campaign, which raised more than $1.4 million in 2013. The campaign encountered manufacturing problems, delayed rewards, and ultimately unfulfilled higher-tier rewards. Palladium announced in 2018 that the remaining rewards could not be produced after the Robotech license ended. Despite these controversies, Palladium has remained an independent, owner-controlled publisher with a dedicated fan community. Its continuing identity rests on distinctive settings, large and highly detailed sourcebooks, cross-genre experimentation, and long-lived properties led by Rifts and the broader Megaversal catalogue.
History
Palladium Books began operations in Detroit, Michigan, in April 1981 under the leadership of Kevin Siembieda. Its first published role-playing game was The Mechanoid Invasion, a science-fiction game about human colonists confronting a hostile cybernetic species. Early publications also included weapons and equipment references, including works associated with Matthew Balent, and established Palladium’s interest in combining game rules with substantial illustrated reference material. The company expanded beyond science fiction with the Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game in 1983 and Heroes Unlimited in 1984. The resulting catalogue was unusual for its breadth: Palladium developed games for fantasy, superheroes, horror, espionage, martial arts, post-apocalyptic survival, space opera, and alternate-history or speculative settings. Its related mechanics became known as the Megaversal system, reflecting the use of a connected house approach across multiple settings rather than a single universal game. During the 1980s, Palladium also entered licensed publishing. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness was based on the original comics and influenced the later development of After the Bomb, in which mutant animals survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Palladium began publishing Robotech products in 1986 and was for a period a major distributor of Robotech merchandise. The original Robotech license later lapsed in 2001, while the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license ended in 2000. Rifts became Palladium’s central property after its introduction in 1990. Set on a future Earth transformed by catastrophe and dimensional breaches, the game permitted characters and campaigns to draw from fantasy, science fiction, magic, alien invasions, cybernetics, giant robots, and superhero fiction. A substantial series of world books and supplements turned Rifts into the publisher’s principal long-running line. Related settings included Rifts Chaos Earth and Phase World, also known as the Three Galaxies setting. Palladium continued developing original lines such as Beyond the Supernatural, Nightbane, Dead Reign, Splicers, Systems Failure, Ninjas & Superspies, Revised RECON, and later editions or expansions of its fantasy and superhero games. The company also published The Rifter, a magazine intended to support the wider Palladium catalogue. Its paperback and perfect-bound publishing format became a notable part of its business identity, with the company arguing that large, relatively affordable paperback books could deliver extensive game content at lower cost than predominantly hardback publishing. The company entered a difficult period in the early 2000s. In 2006, Siembieda disclosed that alleged theft and embezzlement occurring between 2002 and 2004 had caused losses that Palladium estimated at approximately $850,000 to $1.3 million. The disclosure coincided with delays in potential projects involving film, video games, online games, and licensing. Former sales manager Steve Sheiring later received a misdemeanor conviction, probation, and a restitution order. Palladium sought support from its customers through direct online sales and the sale of a signed and numbered Siembieda art print. In 2007, Palladium reached an agreement with Harmony Gold USA to produce a Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles role-playing game. The resulting product renewed the company’s connection to the property, but the license later became associated with the Robotech RPG Tactics project. A 2013 Kickstarter campaign raised $1,442,312 from 5,342 backers for the miniature-based game. Delivery problems followed, including delayed rewards, manufacturing defects, missing pieces, incomplete finishing, and dissatisfaction with the instructions and fulfillment process. Lower-tier rewards began shipping in late 2014 and early 2015, but many higher-tier rewards remained outstanding. The campaign’s problems generated substantial criticism from backers and gaming publications. A Better Business Bureau case was reportedly raised in 2015. By 2016, only a small proportion of backers had reported receiving their rewards. In 2018, Palladium stated that it could not complete the remaining wave-two rewards and offered some backers exchanges for available Palladium stock. It also made certain missing printed materials and revised instructions available as downloadable files. On February 27, 2018, the company announced that Harmony Gold had not renewed the Robotech license; remaining stock was to be liquidated by the end of March. Palladium has also maintained a restrictive policy toward broad distribution of fan conversions to other game systems and conversions of third-party intellectual properties into Palladium’s system. The company attributed this policy to legal advice and concerns about liability. One notable exception was its 2015 agreement with Pinnacle Entertainment Group to publish Rifts material using the Savage Worlds rules, resulting in a separate line of Savage Worlds: Rifts books, maps, and supplements. Palladium remains a privately controlled, independent publisher based in Westland, Michigan. Its continuing importance comes from the longevity of Rifts, the breadth of its cross-genre catalogue, its creator-led publishing model, and its loyal niche audience.
- 2018
Robotech license ends
[1]Harmony Gold does not renew the license, and Palladium cancels the remaining wave-two Robotech RPG Tactics rewards.
- 2015
Savage Worlds: Rifts agreement is announced
[1]Palladium licenses Pinnacle Entertainment Group to publish Rifts material using the Savage Worlds system.
- 2013
Robotech RPG Tactics Kickstarter concludes
[1]The campaign raises $1,442,312 from 5,342 backers for a Robotech miniature gaming project.
- 2007
Robotech license is reacquired
[1]Palladium finalizes a new agreement with Harmony Gold USA for Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles role-playing products.
- 2006
Financial crisis is disclosed
[1]The company reports major losses connected to alleged theft and delayed licensing and media projects.
- 2001
Original Robotech license lapses
[1]Palladium’s original Robotech licensing arrangement ends.
- 2000
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license expires
[1]Palladium does not renew its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license as the property’s commercial circumstances change.
- 1990
Rifts launches
[1]Palladium introduces its flagship post-apocalyptic, dimensional-fantasy role-playing game.
- 1986
Palladium begins Robotech publishing
[1]The company starts publishing Robotech role-playing and related products under license.
- 1985
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness is published
[1]Palladium releases a licensed role-playing game based on the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics.
Products and positioning
An independent, creator-led RPG publisher focused on expansive cross-genre settings, detailed paperback sourcebooks, adaptable rules, and a dedicated long-term fanbase.
Post-apocalyptic science-fantasy role-playing game · 1990
Rifts
Palladium’s flagship game line is set on a future Earth reshaped by a magical and technological apocalypse. Dimensional rifts connect the planet to other worlds, enabling campaigns that combine fantasy kingdoms, alien civilizations, cybernetic characters, giant robots, magic, and superhero-scale conflicts. The line is supported by numerous world books, regional supplements, adventures, and related settings.
Fantasy role-playing game · 1983
Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game
Palladium’s original fantasy role-playing game presents a proprietary fantasy world developed around Siembieda’s early game designs. It established many of the company’s recurring approaches to character classes, detailed equipment, setting books, and campaign expansion.
Superhero role-playing game · 1984
Heroes Unlimited
Heroes Unlimited adapts Palladium’s house system to superhero campaigns. Players create characters with extraordinary powers and can use the line for street-level, four-color, or high-powered comic-book adventures.
Post-apocalyptic role-playing game
After the Bomb
After the Bomb evolved from the setting ideas of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness. It focuses on mutant animals surviving in a devastated world, often in conflict with human-supremacist states and other hostile societies.
Modern horror role-playing game
Beyond the Supernatural
This modern horror line depicts supernatural events occurring beneath the surface of an apparently ordinary contemporary world. Its premise emphasizes hidden paranormal forces and investigations that ordinary society does not fully recognize.
Zombie-apocalypse role-playing game
Dead Reign
Dead Reign is a post-apocalyptic survival game in which human communities wage an ongoing struggle against a widespread zombie threat. Its focus is on survival, hostile environments, and the practical consequences of societal collapse.
Role-playing game magazine
The Rifter
The Rifter is a Palladium magazine serving the company’s different game lines. It provides supplementary rules, settings, adventures, character material, and commentary for players and game masters.
Licensed science-fiction role-playing games · 1986
Robotech role-playing games
Palladium published role-playing products based on Robotech during multiple licensing periods. The later Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles project renewed the relationship after 2007, while Robotech RPG Tactics attempted to extend the property into miniature gaming before the license ended in 2018.
Licensed role-playing game · 1985
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness
Based on the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics, this game brought the property into Palladium’s role-playing format. Its mutant-animal concepts later informed the independent After the Bomb line.
Science-fiction role-playing game · 1981
The Mechanoid Invasion
Palladium’s first published game depicts human colonists fighting a technologically advanced race of psionic, cybernetic beings known as the Mechanoids.
Controversies
2018
Cancellation of remaining Robotech RPG Tactics rewards
Palladium announced that it could not fulfill remaining wave-two rewards because the Robotech license was expiring, retail sales had slowed, and the company lacked the funds to complete production. Some backers were offered exchanges for available Palladium products.
2013
Robotech RPG Tactics Kickstarter fulfillment controversy
The Robotech RPG Tactics campaign drew criticism over missed delivery expectations, product defects, missing components, incomplete finishing, unclear instructions, and the prolonged failure to deliver many backer rewards.
2006
Alleged embezzlement and theft
Palladium reported losses estimated at approximately $850,000 to $1.3 million from alleged embezzlement and theft occurring between 2002 and 2004. The company said the problem was discovered during an inventory process. Former sales manager Steve Sheiring later received a misdemeanor conviction, probation, and an order to pay restitution.
Management centralization criticism
Some former Palladium contributors criticized the company’s highly centralized management under Siembieda and described limited delegation and internal communication as factors affecting working relationships. One writer later apologized for the manner of the remarks but did not withdraw the underlying claims.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Robotech RPG Tactics Kickstarter
United States · International crowdfunding market
Palladium used Kickstarter to fund a Robotech miniature role-playing and wargaming project. The campaign attracted 5,342 backers and raised $1,442,312.
Outcome. The project experienced substantial production and fulfillment delays. Remaining second-wave rewards were ultimately canceled in 2018.
- 2006Direct-support and art-print fundraising
United States · International fan community
Following disclosure of serious financial losses, Palladium encouraged customers to purchase directly through its online store and offered a signed and numbered Kevin Siembieda art print to raise operating funds.
Outcome. The effort was intended to help the privately owned publisher continue operations during its financial crisis.
Brand decisions
2018
End of Robotech publishingStrategyBackground
Harmony Gold USA did not renew Palladium’s Robotech intellectual-property license.
Action taken
Palladium announced the end of the license, canceled outstanding wave-two Kickstarter rewards, and arranged to liquidate remaining stock.
Aftermath
Palladium’s Robotech merchandise and game publishing relationship ended, while some backers were offered exchanges and downloadable replacement materials.
2015
Rifts conversion to Savage WorldsStrategyBackground
Palladium had generally restricted broad distribution of fan conversions of its games to other systems.
Action taken
The company entered a licensing agreement with Pinnacle Entertainment Group to publish official Rifts material using the Savage Worlds rules.
Aftermath
The agreement created an official exception to Palladium’s otherwise restrictive conversion policy and produced multiple Savage Worlds: Rifts supplements.
2007
Robotech license reacquisitionM&ABackground
Palladium’s earlier Robotech license had lapsed in 2001, but the company sought to return to the property.
Action taken
Palladium finalized negotiations with Harmony Gold USA to publish a role-playing game based on Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles.
Aftermath
The agreement led to renewed Robotech products and later the Robotech RPG Tactics project, but the license ended in 2018.
1981
Adoption of paperback and perfect-bound publishingStrategyBackground
Palladium sought to deliver extensive role-playing content in a cost-conscious physical format.
Action taken
The company used paperback and perfect-bound books for many games and supplements, rather than relying primarily on hardback editions.
Aftermath
The format became a recognizable part of Palladium’s publishing identity and was promoted as a way to offer substantial sourcebooks at lower prices.
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