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 Kendachi wrote:

In mildly interesting news, something Robotech related happened to me today. Some of you know I work for CoolStuffInc. I actually work in the miniatures department. Funny, I know.

Anyway, working at my desk when one of the guys from receiving comes over and says: "Hey, got some Robotech in today."

I immediately freak out - "What?! Where?! Show me!"

He replied: "It's a rulebook."

The same rulebook that came in the box.

Whoopity Freakin' Doo!

Do I recall that Palladium said they were going to release this? Like years ago?

At least its a release? Jazz hands?

and you didn't warn CSI to stay away from all things Palladium ?

I think it is funny after reading how Palladium books sold through their stock and the booth was buzzing with activity..

Because the people I know that went and most forums I have read say the complete opposite.

The pictures say a thousand words.. but it is starting to sound like that the relaunch will slip into 2018 now... no surprises

But the update started how they realize how off track they are but quickly they are trying to correct it..

You know it would have been great if someone had film the whole day. See what going on at PB table and what kind of lie about what going on at the con.

Y'know, its sad that other companies can produce PB products faster that PB can produce its own stuff.

Oh well, at this point there are plenty of other companies getting my bucks for which I feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

May PB - and HG rot in hell.

So it looks like this was their "demo table"?


That's... cute, but FAR too small considering how fast some of these mechs move!

Yep THAT is the size they use as a demo table at their booth.

That actually looks damn good. I wonder if they had it commissioned or if it was donated by a fan-friend? (I mean, we know no one in-house, by their own admission, has the skills to make something like that).

What happened to the ND demo table they had a few years ago, I wonder? Possibly ditched because it was using Drop Commander scenery?

I think the original mini demo tables were even smaller. Weren't they 18 inch disks? Maybe 2 feet? A 2x2 square would have even more surface area than that (and yes, 'you can't even use Jet mode' was a critique of those as well). I think they were just using 2 VT's versus a set of pods for those demos, from the pics we saw, this seems to be a slightly larger conflict with Destroids involved.

So the demo looks like 6 Battlepods vs 2 Valks and a destroid squad of 2 tomahawks and 2 defenders? Sucks to be Zentraedi I guess.

cannonfodr wrote:
So the demo looks like 6 Battlepods vs 2 Valks and a destroid squad of 2 tomahawks and 2 defenders? Sucks to be Zentraedi I guess.

Sorry, its the only completed models that they had on hand...these things aren't very easy to put together dontcha know?

cannonfodr wrote:
So the demo looks like 6 Battlepods vs 2 Valks and a destroid squad of 2 tomahawks and 2 defenders? Sucks to be Zentraedi I guess.

Maybe the Zentraedi have already lost some figures, or the demo gives the attacker a substantial advantage intentionally to keep things snappy. Or it's badly designed and not reflective of the proper game balance.

I dunno, but we probably shouldn't assume too much based off a pic.

The guy who built the table has been speaking up in Mike's group, so if it's really important, I suppose we could find out the details.

It's not. The most important thing here is that a single hobbyist with the gusto to make a demo board has somehow managed to convince kevvy that there is a world of interest it RRT by showing basic interest in the game.

It would make sense to be unbalanced, if the demo-er always plays the weaker side and the demo-ee always plays the stronger.

Genoside07 wrote:But the update started how they realize how off track they are but quickly they are trying to correct it..

I seriously hope not. They are Sooooo far off-course that they are about to do a 360 and end up the same way they were facing 3 years ago. If they just stop trying to find a new direction, they would actually have a chance in hell of finishing this thing before we are all dead. IF they actually correct their course now, they'll end up going around in circles again for years more before ending up in the same position 6 years from now.

Soul Samurai wrote:It would make sense to be unbalanced, if the demo-er always plays the weaker side and the demo-ee always plays the stronger.

And you believe that'll be the case why?

Kev: So what happened with the demo games?
Staffer: We played plenty of games, but we kept getting out backsides handed to us and out faces flannelled.
Kev: I can't trust you, you must have been letting the little creeps cheat, they can't have a better understanding of our game than we do. You have betrayed my trust (Crisis of Treachery XVII) and I'm going off to sulk for 6 months. Nothing must be done on the project until I am well enough to oversee it again. Now get under that bus!

Or is this a more reasonable scenario based on current knowledge?

Kev: So what happened with the demo games?
Staffer: We played plenty of games, and no-one could beat us in battle. We were invincible!
Kev: I told you that no-one could understand our game better than we do, that no-one cares about Robotech as much as we do. Right, let's get back to work - it's your turn on the generator cycle today, and I need plenty of light to ensure that we can make this project right!


at least the second one holds the promise of some progress, soon!

I really love your second one.

PALLADIUM BOOKS® WEEKLY UPDATE - MARCH 31, 2017
By Kevin Siembieda

Palladium Books has been quiet these past few years, with fewer and fewer releases even for Rifts®. There have been a number of reasons for that, but they don’t really matter now. What does matter is that it is about to change, big time, as Palladium works to reinfuse the “wow factor” into Rifts® and all our game worlds. And that’s in addition to licensed product lines from an increasing number of third parties (see details below).

Their words not mine... But again... its just words and actions speak a lot louder...

 Genoside07 wrote:

PALLADIUM BOOKS® WEEKLY UPDATE - MARCH 31, 2017
By Kevin Siembieda
Palladium Books has been quiet these past few years, with fewer and fewer releases even for Rifts®. There have been a number of reasons for that, but they don’t really matter now. What does matter is that it is about to change, big time, as Palladium works to reinfuse the “wow factor” into Rifts® and all our game worlds. And that’s in addition to licensed product lines from an increasing number of third parties (see details below).

Their words not mine... But again... its just words and actions speak a lot louder...

Kevin sounds more and more like a carnival barker (paraphrase commence!):.
"Step right up! This is the calm before the storm and you want to be a part of it! We have less product for you to see to ensure the quality! The show has changed but the song remains the same... <ahem> we have put more "wow" into "wowza!" which is what you will say when you view our worlds! We have more performers to peddle... <ahem> promote! our astounding products."

I wonder if he was feeling "on fire" when he wrote that.
Is there anyone at PB that has "to take action" in their job description anywhere?
Discount NMI, he has god-like powers with the ban-hammer and that is a different skill set from what we need.

This little throw-away sentence:

There have been a number of reasons for that, but they don’t really matter now.

is an irritant.
Reasons for being "quiet for years at a time" is not important and it is going to change "big time"??
Would be nice to know what can cause stagnation to epic levels for PB.
Always throwing out those teasers, if you become a "fan-friend" we could be let in on the secret.

Reminds me of a granddad ready to give the grandkid a dollar but explaining how he has be good, be respectful and especially PATIENT while waving it in front of his face.
"Yeah, yeah, old guy: the dollar is not looking important enough to pay attention to this garbage."

<edit> Sorry, "on-topic" no information, much commitment to an unknown and unspoken plan. This is STILL no change on no info for wave 2.

all that means is Kevin is expecting a big cash influx from the RIFT's boardgame, he figures since RRT did $1.5 mil. his RIFT's game which he considers a much superior product will do twice that at least, me thinks hes in for an upset. that and any money made from that will go right back into his company and the RIFT's boardgame will go into limbo just like RRT did.

 Conrad Turner wrote:
Right, let's get back to work - it's your turn on the generator cycle today

That at least would explain how they're managing to keep the lights on when they don't actually seem to do anything...

Soul Samurai wrote:

 Conrad Turner wrote:
Right, let's get back to work - it's your turn on the generator cycle today

That at least would explain how they're managing to keep the lights on when they don't actually seem to do anything...

None of them looked very fit. I don't think that this is the way they do it. Maybe spying on the neighbors and seeing who's not there and stealing their electric, but running a manual generator by bike, not a chance.

Maybe Palladium is in the process of waking up?

Though they seemed to accept they were asleep and really want to get back to it.

I should not complain though, I have been sucked into PC games lately and the model hobby has been languishing badly.
I think I have a handle on sealing Shapeways WSF plastic so that is queuing up as well.
Sister-in-law wanted me to prep/paint her Zombicide heroes which looks like fun so that may trump a few things (funny how that word has new meaning).

 Conrad Turner wrote:

Genoside07 wrote:But the update started how they realize how off track they are but quickly they are trying to correct it..

I seriously hope not. They are Sooooo far off-course that they are about to do a 360 and end up the same way they were facing 3 years ago. If they just stop trying to find a new direction, they would actually have a chance in hell of finishing this thing before we are all dead. IF they actually correct their course now, they'll end up going around in circles again for years more before ending up in the same position 6 years from now.

Soul Samurai wrote:It would make sense to be unbalanced, if the demo-er always plays the weaker side and the demo-ee always plays the stronger.

And you believe that'll be the case why?

Kev: So what happened with the demo games?
Staffer: We played plenty of games, but we kept getting out backsides handed to us and out faces flannelled.
Kev: I can't trust you, you must have been letting the little creeps cheat, they can't have a better understanding of our game than we do. You have betrayed my trust (Crisis of Treachery XVII) and I'm going off to sulk for 6 months. Nothing must be done on the project until I am well enough to oversee it again. Now get under that bus!

Or is this a more reasonable scenario based on current knowledge?

Kev: So what happened with the demo games?
Staffer: We played plenty of games, and no-one could beat us in battle. We were invincible!
Kev: I told you that no-one could understand our game better than we do, that no-one cares about Robotech as much as we do. Right, let's get back to work - it's your turn on the generator cycle today, and I need plenty of light to ensure that we can make this project right!


at least the second one holds the promise of some progress, soon!

I think it is more likely that the players have Pods vs VTs or Pods vs Battloids to showcase how both function. Not Pods vs all at once. After all, the Battloids are in a corner and none of the Pods are facing that way. If it was me I'd at least turn partly towards them if they were a threat.

 Genoside07 wrote:

PALLADIUM BOOKS® WEEKLY UPDATE - MARCH 31, 2017
By Kevin Siembieda

Palladium Books has been quiet these past few years, with fewer and fewer releases even for Rifts®. There have been a number of reasons for that, but they don’t really matter now. What does matter is that it is about to change, big time, as Palladium works to reinfuse the “wow factor” into Rifts® and all our game worlds. And that’s in addition to licensed product lines from an increasing number of third parties (see details below).

Their words not mine... But again... its just words and actions speak a lot louder...

It's just a variation of the last few years (since I've been paying attention). It's the same old thing: "We know we stink. We're feeling energized and ready to improve." They then follow that up with lowering the bar.

 n815e wrote:
It's just a variation of the last few years (since I've been paying attention). It's the same old thing: "We know we stink. We're feeling energized and ready to improve." They then follow that up with lowering the bar.

I would love to argue this for all our sakes but it is pretty much spot-on for what has been observed in the past.
The scary part is, when by some miracle they get some product out even if it is a Rifts art coaster, they get all full of themselves and we get spoken to like impatient children.
It is like "see, we are making stuff as promised, your worries and complaints are unfounded" never-mind typically product they do get around to making is not what people asked for.
Or was asked for so long ago it no longer has relevance.

 Talizvar wrote:

 n815e wrote:
It's just a variation of the last few years (since I've been paying attention). It's the same old thing: "We know we stink. We're feeling energized and ready to improve." They then follow that up with lowering the bar.

I would love to argue this for all our sakes but it is pretty much spot-on for what has been observed in the past.
The scary part is, when by some miracle they get some product out even if it is a Rifts art coaster, they get all full of themselves and we get spoken to like impatient children.
It is like "see, we are making stuff as promised, your worries and complaints are unfounded" never-mind typically product they do get around to making is not what people asked for.
Or was asked for so long ago it no longer has relevance.

Crappy Dice bags anyone?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Or Malcontent dice that never appear.......

Okay, I was at work last night, really trying to avoid actually doing any work (I could work for Palladium!), and I had a thought.

Palladium wants to do the relaunch this year. Yeah, yeah, I know, they've been promising for a while. Ignore that, and that a relaunch without Wave 2 at least imminent is pointless.

I'm just specifically theorizing about the general relaunch, in that it happens, and that it's not a complete failure. Lookit all these wild assumptions about things going swimmingly, I really could work for PB!.

The way I see it, there are three things that could happen. And this is where things fall completely off the cliff.
1) The relaunch is successful, and PB have the stock on hand of all W1 stuff to cover the supply. Which, after three years of it being at retail, backers have to ask just how much was spent on retail stock that after three years they haven't needed a resupply.
2) The relaunch is successful, but PB run out of retail stock, at least in specific areas (Arty and SparPhals, possibly cores), which completely sandbags the relaunch, as a restock is 4+ months at least.
3) PB order a restock in anticipation of the relaunch, which would beg the question of why they're spending funds on that, and not Wave 2.

None of these look good for PB. Not sure which is worse, but all look bad to one degree or another, with 1 and 3 both being drekky from a backer's perspective. It begs the question of how does a relaunch, which PB keeps trying to convince people is a net positive, actually help backers?

A fair point, Morgan. It raises the question of their actions and words not jiving together.

If they really believe that the relaunch will be successful, then they should act accordingly. If it's just hot air, their actions will back that up. Talking like they expect a big win but acting like they don't is the disconnect that has shown up a lot over the years, and even dates back to the actual campaign.

I mean, they were supposed to go to manufacturing within 45 days of the campaign closing or something, but the very Pledge Manager to provide the information they'd need to more than ballpark demand of non-core items wasn't even ready until 3 or 4 months after the campaign ended.

This is tangential, I agree with the larger point, just building off that to something that PB has struggled with from the beginning, and is drowning them now. They remain a laughingstock and the target of scorn because 'big claims they fall short on' is their bread and butter.

But you raise an interesting point; even 'success' (or some measure thereof) might have strings attached.

Yes, obviously as unlikely as it is to happen.

The whole notion of a relaunch is a mythical construct, it would require you getting off the ground once before, and that didn't happen here. I think resurfacing would be a better term for what they intend to happen.

 Swabby wrote:
The whole notion of a relaunch is a mythical construct, it would require you getting off the ground once before, and that didn't happen here. I think resurfacing would be a better term for what they intend to happen.

Oh, I doubt it will happen. Nor do I think Wave 2 will happen. I think once the gRifts Kickstarter funding has concluded, even the uninformative but extensive wankery offered by Kevin will dry up and we'll go back to the single line vague platitudes of the past year or so.

My point was that even in the mythical world within Kevin's imagination, there's still a crapload of problems that he will likely stumble over, even in their best case scenario.

Actually, if anybody wants RRT to survive, a relaunch is absolutely essential.

Assume PB is out of the picture, someone else steps in to manage the product line. They would absolutely need to do a relaunch because the first launch was limp... if you are generous about it.

The only good thing about that limp first go is that it didn't exactly give RRT the game a bad rep. The bad rep is mostly from the company, not the ruleset.. and maybe that Spartan. Otherwise, the game itself is ok, the minis aren't terribad (not great either). Strictly speaking, the potential is still there, but it's a gak-ton of work to get it up and running again.

Far, far beyond what PB has ever demonstrated it was willing to put into any product. Maybe even the sum total of effort into all its products.