Robotech RPG Shadow Chronicles March 2008

Palladium Books:

"UPDATE Robotech® RPG
Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG is in final production.
The writing is done.
Artwork is done.

We are simply waiting on the last few approvals and changes from Harmony Gold. We expect to get those over the weekend (thanks gents), start laying out the book, and send it to the printer next week.

Whew. It’s been a lot of work and a lot of fun. We think you are going to love it. Especially the updated material, the quick roll character generation, the M.O.S. skill sets, the character sheet, the artwork, a few surprises, the cover, the format . . . well, everything.
We can hardly wait to get it into your hands and get fan reaction!
We’re also dying to start work on the first couple of Robotech sourcebooks! "

Robotech® role-playing games are back, and it all starts with The Shadow Chronicles® RPG – spread the word.

The Shadow Chronicles® role-playing game picks up where the DVD movie begins. The return of the Robotech Expeditionary Force (REF), the separation of the SDF-3 from the rest of the fleet, the battle of Reflex Point, space combat, treachery and everything else that is part of Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles®.

Palladium has not seen so much anticipation for a new role-playing game release since the debut of Rifts® in 1990.

Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® is a NEW role-playing game, not a rehashed, retooled printing of the original RPG from the 1980s. Furthermore, the release of the Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® DVD Movie, the release of the Deluxe DVD, Shadow Chronicles® Art Book, and the announcement of a Robotech® Movie in development at Warner Bros. Pictures has ramped up interest and excitement for Robotech®.

This new RPG should appeal to role-players and Robotech® fans of all generations.
Mecha pilots and other fleet personnel character classes.
Areas of Military Specialty – M.O.S.
New skills, O.C.C.s, mecha and action.
New text, art and information.
Key Robotech® Mecha statted out and illustrated.
Invid enemy statted out and illustrated.
The Haydonites, their mecha and more.
Other info and details (depending on space).
Fast playing RPG rules. Mega-Damage setting.
Earth post-Invid occupation, adventure ideas, new character sheets and more.
Cover by fan fave, Apollo Okamura. Great art throughout.
Written by Kevin Siembieda.
Manga size; easy portability. (An 8½ x 11 deluxe edition may follow in the Summer of 2008. Additional Robotech sourcebooks to quickly follow.)
256 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 550.
Sorry, definitely a March release date. Nearing completion.

http://palladiumbooks.com/press/press2008-02d.html

Toynami 2008

Thanks to Bryan for providing a link to Toynami's booth at this year's Toy Fair. It's also hard to say if all this stuff is really made by Toynami or not. However, there is the Beta Fighter and Shadow Chronicles Alphas on display. Interestingly, there is a Mospeada package of Toynami's Cyclone. There's also a lot of japanese Macross related toys.

Check out all the neat toys here:
http://toyfair08.asmzine.com/gallery/toynami/index.html
http://collectiondx.com/node/2230 ( Thanks to Harkavyr )

Fan Work: Robotech Anthology

An interesting fan collection project going on that others should know about:
"Zor's Journal is a collection of the best Robotech art and fiction from around the world. We also include other material such as articles and poetry from time to time. Contributors may submit material for inclusion in the journal through this web site. Every six months, the best of those submissions are included in an anthology.

Zor's Journal is currently attempting to get a license to publish our first edition. A demo copy of our first edition has been completed and will be considered by Harmony Gold USA, Inc. as well as Funimation. Careful consideration of the product as well as market information will determine if the product will be successful. If all goes well, a license will be granted and the book will be available by summer 2008."

Aaron's live action graphic novel pages will be appearing in this anthology book if it gets published. So, keep your eyes open and help support this project.

http://www.robotechanthology.com/

Shadow Chronicles on Xbox 360 Live

I'm not sure when they finally posted it, but i figure I would let people know. I been telling Harmony Gold to take advantage of the online content that the Xbox 360 offers its fanbase. So, finally it's possible to pay and download Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles on the system along with some other anime series such as Ghost in the Shell TV series and Naruto. Shadow Chronicles is only in standard definition widescreen format, not High Definition. It takes up almost 1GB of space. It's nice to finally see Robotech slowly getting out of the closet and becoming part of the age. Sadly, there were no pictures or theme packs to buy though. I don't know why since some of the other animes on the list had them and the Shadow Chronicles page did have an Ariel background.

Robotech Companion is Back Online

It's been a while, but I finally got around to putting Robotech Companion back on the web. I cleaned up the site a little, got it working and all. Does it need a major redesign? Yeah, but it'll be some time before I get around to doing it. The important thing is that its back up. Now fans can read the FAQ and checkout the other goodies. Enjoy.

http://www.robotechcompanion.com/

Beta Fighter Masterpiece still a Go

The latest news directly from Tommy Yune on Space Station Liberty, is that the Beta Fighter will be produced for sure. The difference is that the Japanese will not be doing the production, due to current events read on other blogs. To summarize, the Masterpiece Alpha Fighters by Toynami were going to be reproduced by a Japanese company named Aoshima. This company wanted to enhance the Alphas and sell them in Japan under the Mospeada brand. However, Aoshima felt a need to have these toys out by Christmas in Japan. The factories they decided to use rush the production unbelievably that the toys came out ruined.

Ultimately, this is good news for Toynami and maybe even the production quality. Toynami will be sticking with the factory that produced all the masterpiece alpha fighter toys so far. They'll be able to keep their molds and control over the product.

Michael Bradley Working on LSB II CD

It was mentioned on Captain JLS' Odyssey III blog that Michael Bradley is getting to work on his new album for Robotech fans. Well, yesterday, Bradley updated his blog on his hard work to bring out an acoustic version of his tunes:

"Still working every day on the acoustic Robotech remake CD...it's a tough one. Much harder than the first fully produced and arranged Lonely Soldier Boy CD. I tried to keep it to one guitar/one voice (as I've said in previous blogs)...but I had to add another guitar here and there. The slower tunes work OK with the solo guitar, but the more up-tempo stuff needs help. So I gotta do what I gotta do. "Lonely Soldier Boy" is just one guitar...as is "The Way to Love"...which has turned into a slower tune. It's a nice mood. I like them a lot. I used a finger-picking style on both of those arrangements. It's really tough to perform, since that's not my style of playing...hopefully I pulled it off. This record is aimed at Robotech fans...and I know you guys are pretty forgiving (at least I hope)! Anyway, I don't have a release date as of yet...but I'm still hoping to get it out real soon."

For his full blog post: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=64810710&blogID=337747422

Robotech Shadow Chronicles Keychains

Robotech feels pretty dead these days, so its almost an amazement to see new merchandise. Yeah, they're pretty minor, but wow a physical product.

I think the best one is the Shadow Chronicles REF logo keychain. The rest is alright. They got some patches too. It's just interesting to see something new for a change anyhow.

Check them out today:

http://www.robotech.com/store/viewcategory.php?id=7

Robotech RPG Coming 2008

Palladium Books released a new press release with brand new details about the upcoming Robotech RPG: The Shadow Chronicles.

Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG – January 2008
The artwork is assigned and being created, the cover is being tweaked, the research and note making continues, and bits of first draft writing are finished. Sorry, we cannot get this new RPG out before Christmas, but it WILL be released in January, 2008. The artwork is looking fantastic.

The role-playing game will pick up where the DVD movie begins. The return of the Robotech Expeditionary Force, the separation of the SDF-3 from the rest of the fleet, and everything else that is part of Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles®.

Mecha pilots and other fleet personnel O.C.C.s.
Key REF Mecha statted out and illustrated.
Invid statted out and illustrated.
Select spacecraft statted out and illustrated.
Other info and details (depending on space).
Fast playing RPG rules. Mega-Damage setting.
Earth post-Invid occupation, adventure ideas, new character sheets and more.
Cover by Apollo Okamura. Great art throughout.
Written by Kevin Siembieda.
Manga size; easy portability. (An 8½ x 11 deluxe edition may follow in the Spring or Summer of 2008. Additional Robotech sourcebooks to quickly follow.)
224 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 550. January release.

http://www.palladiumbooks.com/press/press2007-11e.html

Pre-Order at Palladium's online store: http://www.palladiumbooks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1001&Product_Code=550

RobotechCompanion.com is Currently Down

Robotech Companion (.com) is currently down at the moment due to webhost changes. I'm sorry for the downtime. It may be a while until I decide exactly what I'm going to do. My original webhost has decided to close down. Robotech Companion shall return.

If you need to get in touch with me, please leave your comment in this post. Thanks

Lonely Soldier Boy Midi

Happy Halloween to all. A great Robotech fan by the name of Donna has created a midi file of Lonely Soldier Boy. Midi files are old, but still great. Donna has done a great job with making this one so check it out!


http://www.robotechcompanion.com/waves/lonelysoldierboy.mid

RightStuf.com 40% off Funimation DVDs

It's that great time of the year again when rightstuf.com wants you to save money, some big bucks. Well, 40% off of Funimation DVDs means only one thing, Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles. You can use a special code to get 40% of either the original Shadow Chronicles release or the NEW 2-disc special edition of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles coming out next month. This is off the already discounted price that Right Stuf offers.

40% off Funimation and AN Entertainment DVDs
Coupon Code: spooky
Expires: November 4, 2007 at 11:59 p.m. CDT

Special Edition Shadow Chronicles: http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/catalogmgr/RLCTsyIP9iEjGqj-cV/browse/item/75712/4/0/0

Regular Shadow Chronicles DVD: http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/catalogmgr/RLCTsyIP9iEjGqj-cV/browse/item/72415/4/0/0

Robotech Doom Project Nears Release

"Robotech DOOM Game project nears release!

This last Sunday, Oct. 7th, Lobo, (http://firstgen.no-ip.info/ ), officially announced the first beta release of the "Robotech: First Gen" game mod.

Robotech: First Gen is an "old-school" Robotech mod for the EDGE port of the Doom2 game engine. Modern ports like EDGE improve upon the original game engine by adding new feaures such as higher resolution graphics, GL, multiple sound format support and better mutliplayer architecture.

First Gen is a stand-alone game mod that does not require the original game data. Each release contains all you need to play. This is the latest fan-based Robotech game mod to have a release.

If Harmony Gold had licensed the Doom engine - this is what it would look like! Catch the announcement here:
http://edge.sourceforge.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=135 " - Galaxy Stranger

Related Links:
http://firstgen.no-ip.info/
http://mods.moddb.com/452/robotech-firstgen/
http://edge.sourceforge.net/

ANN Reports on the New Robotech RPG

Yup, it's finally as most people should know by now. Palladium is going full stream ahead with the Robotech: Shadow Chronicles RPG. Anime News Network has put together a very informative article that explains everything you could know about the release. Check it out

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-09-27/robotech-returns-to-palladium-books

Thanks Chris for the news

Fan Blog: Studio MMG Back Better Than Ever

Studio MMG is known throughout for his impressive flash animations and art. Of course he used to be a very vocal part of the community. MadMapGuy has changed over the months along with his blog. He has moved away from the vocal group to a better creative side. MMG's new blog entitled Concept Central focuses on art concepts and ideas from science fiction and fantasy stories including Robotech.

The blog is already looking great with the Robotech art he has posted up. Check it out and don't judge on the past.

http://conceptcentral.blogspot.com/

Shadow Rising & Funimation deal LEAKED!

I'm not going to say a lot about this. I can say that it's hard to really know if this is for real or not. The leak seems unusual for Harmony Gold to hand over very important documents and information to someone who claims he's basically a stranger to Tommy and Steve. This may just be a hoax, but we'll see.

I am linking to the original post on RDF HQ for everyone. Expect this person's blog and other information to disappear from the face of the planet within a few days once Harmony Gold learns about this.

http://p081.ezboard.com/frdfhqcommunicationscenterfrm50.showMessage?topicID=23.topic

Benny R. Powell Interview by RT Companion

Benny R. Powell is the author of Academy Comic's Robotech: The Movie comic book released in 1996. He is best known for his time at Marvel Comics and his own independent comic studio, Bench Press Studios. I was fortunate enough to interview him about his career and his work on the Robotech Movie comic. Enjoy.

If you have any additional or followup questions for Mr. Powell, please submit them either by e-mail to me or comments of this blog. I will choose the best. Please submit them by the Friday the 21st of September 07.

Benny R. Powell Interview by Robotech Companion: http://www.robotechcompanion.com/interviews/bennypowell.htm

A!PoN's Tommy Yune Interview

This is a bit old. It was done either late 2006 or early 2007. However, I just came across it today and thought some fans would be interested in watching it. A!PoN, an anime podcast group, interviewed Tommy Yune about Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, its production, and about himself. It took place after fans saw the film, so Tommy spoke more in-depth about why the film is the way it is. Anyhow, some people will find it interested, mostly casual fans.

A!PoN's Tommy Yune Interview: http://www.blip.tv/file/75543/

New Space Station Liberty Shows

Two shows not to miss
Sunday, September 9th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Kevin McKeever will be coming on Space Station Liberty to talk about the Warner Brothers deal, Anime Bento, and upcoming Palladium's Robotech RPG. This should be the first time that Harmony Gold speaks out publicly about the live action film. It's not expected that Kevin will cough up much information, but should still be interesting.

Friday, September 14th at 10:00 p.m. Eastern/7:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Kevin Siembieda and Tommy Yune will be on Space Station Liberty to discuss in detail about the new upcoming Palladium's Robotech RPG book.

Remember that all fans are welcomed to join the live interactive podcast either through calling in or downloading the TalkShoe cilent to ask questions through text chat.

Space Station Liberty Podcast Show: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=5988

The comprehensive guide on various methods of connecting to TalkShoe: http://terrania.us/talkshoe/

Let the Hype Begin: Robotech Live Action

The new fad has began, it's the fad of big Robots on the big screen. The success of Transformers has made a many interested in cashing in on a fad yet to be born. Rumor has it that Warner Bros. Pictures has licensed Robotech to create a full live action movie out of it. WB has chosen Maguire Entertainment led by Tobey Maguire to produce it for them. "We are very excited to bring 'Robotech' to the big screen," Maguire said. "There is a rich mythology that will be a great foundation for a sophisticated, smart and entertaining film." Drew Crevello from Supercool Hollywood BigTime Prods. is also producing. Craig Zahler will be writing the screenplay.

"Frank Agrama of rights-holder Harmony Gold will exec produce; Jason Netter will serve in a producer capacity. Matthew Reilly brought the project to Warners and is overseeing. Daniel Shafer brought the project to Maguire and will shepherd for the company."

What can a serious fan make of all this madness? Oh it won't be pretty. Robotech.com has already treated it like a silly joke through their news post: "OMG ROBOTECH LIVE ACTION MOVIE!!! Nawww..... could this grapevipe from The Hollywood Reporter and MovieWeb even be true?"

On a more serious note, it appears that this agreement to make a live action movie is extremely fresh and brand new. This means almost no time has gone into the production process or pre-production. A lot of problems will come and it'll take a couple of years to produce the movie. However, its extremely unlikely that the Robotech live action will see the light of day. Companies are known for buying license rights to cartoons, games, and merchandise without ever getting far. This is not Transformers whom had such huge super success with the Transformers cartoons and toys for over 20 years. Robotech does not have this kind of backing. Look at this quote: "Last month, Regency picked up 1980s Japanese anime series "Voltron"" See what I mean? Welcome to the fad of robot movies only created based solely on how well the Transformers live action movie did

The whole point of the articles is to create hype, a lot of hype to drive the production. You could believe that some changes made over at Robotech.com were done to pervent people like me shooting down everyone's hype. Harmony Gold has shown commitment to the Robotech brand and wants their core creations to be released. Shadow Chronicles was completely based on Harmony Gold keeping full control to allow the creativity freedom that Robotech should have. This won't be the case with this live action production. It's possible and likely that HG is treating the live action movie like their other third-party merchandise in where it doesn't really matter what happens to it. It's just more support for their core projects: Robotech Anime.

Hype is important from a marketing point of view, but all I say is that as loyal fans, don't be disappointed if the movie sucks or never comes out.

Long Live Robotech the cartoon.

News Articles:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i1f2de64a1d24bd5585bf89b0691d2011
http://www.movieweb.com/news/67/22567.php

Leave positive hype here: http://www.robotech.com/community/forum/read.php?id=1774514&forumid=31 As Harmony Gold would say, its important to make companies think their Robotech brand is fully supported by fans with no complaints and problems. Too bad we hardcore people aren't always happy. We're die-hard fans afterall.