Robotech Union of China needs your help

From Robotech.com: http://www.robotech.com/news/viewarticle.php?id=350

On May 12, 2008, a massive 7.9 earthquake rocked China, killing over 7,600 people. Robotech Union of China has donated 2,000 RMD yuan, or $300 US Dollars, to the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake in China through Chinese Red Cross Foundation, and another 500 RMB yuan (USD$75) to the victims of Myanmar Cyclone Nargis, through International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The difference in the size of the Robotech: Shadow Chronicles sourcebooks

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?

Yoda to Luke Skywalker from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

With the recent success of the manga-sized copy of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles, Palladium has recently announced that that an 8.5 by 11 inch hardcover version of the aforementioned sourcebook will be released later this summer to go along with the updated Macross and Southern Cross sourcebooks as well. No word on an updated Mospeada/New Generation sourcebook, but I hope that Palladium will be working on that and have it released sometime next year or sooner.

I happen to be the lucky owner of a hardcover Palladium sourcebook: Rifts: Ultimate Edition, and with the given information of additional material for the HC version of the RT:SC sourcebook such as additional spacecraft, more equipment and vehicles, and more data and material, this will be the must buy sourcebook of the summer.

Rhapsody in Blu-Ray

Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles coming soon to Blu-Ray.

Now with Blu-Ray DVDs being the victor over HD-DVD, Robotech fans can rejoice by the news with FUNimation releasing Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles on Blu-Ray on 9/2/2008 for an MSRP of $39.98.

If you don't have either a Blu-Ray player or a Playstation 3, and you happen to be a dyed-in-the-wool Robotech fan, then go out and purchase one or the other right away.

Robotech II: The Sentinels 10 Years Later

Today is March 13, 2008, and this day marks the 10th anniversary that I've watched Robotech II: The Sentinels for the very first time, and got hooked on it ever since.

To me, Robotech II: The Sentinels will always be the canonical story that takes place between episodes To The Stars and Dana's Story, regardless of what Harmony Gold says about continuity since the great Robotech retcon of 2002.

I love the movie, I love the novels, I love the comics, and I even love the role-playing game from Palladium. If you haven't seen Robotech II: The Sentinels, then go to either eBay or Amazon.com and buy the film on either VHS, Laserdisc, or even DVD.

May the pre-ordering begin!!

Palladium Books' Robotech The Shadow Chronicles RPG Sourcebook

Macross in a (CD) Boxset

Macross 25th Anniversary 9-CD Boxed set

A must-have for fans of Macross, just to keep you busy until Macross Frontier makes it's official television debut later this Spring.

Sad news from Palladium's website

Sad News about Erick Wujcik
By Kevin Siembieda

I’m afraid I have some sad and shocking news. I’ve tried a dozen different ways to write this, but none of them sound right. So I’ll just say it:

My sweet, brilliant friend – Erick Wujcik – is dying of cancer.

Yes, Erick Wujcik, the mastermind behind such role-playing games and RPG products as Amber® Diceless RPG, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® RPG, Ninjas & Superspies RPG, Weapons & Assassins, Revised RECON®, Rifts® China One & Two, and a host of other RPG books.

Erick, age 56, has pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver. There was no advance warning. Erick was healthy and doing fine. He thought he had come down with the flu, and when he couldn’t shake it, he went to the doctors. The prognosis was unexpected, to say the least.

We thought about letting people know after Christmas, but Erick’s time is, all too quickly, running out. We thought it would be wonderful to give the millions of people who have loved the man and played his games, the opportunity to express their appreciation for him. I’m sure Erick will be pleased to read people’s warm regards.

While this is sad news that weighs heavily on our hearts, we’d like this website (www.erickwujcik.com) and the comments posted on it, to be a celebration of Erick’s wonderful life.

Just as you did when Palladium announced its Crisis of Treachery, let Erick know how much you have enjoyed his games and ideas. How Ninja Turtles (or Amber or whatever) turned you on to gaming or opened up your mind to new possibilities, and similar commentaries, thoughts and regards. I know your kind words and warm remembrances will put a smile on his face and warm his soul.

We’ve chosen to go with a blog style. Post as often as you’d like. Share your recollections about encounters with Erick, the first time you heard him speak or met him at a convention, what he and his work has meant to you, funny convention stories, and whatever else feels right.

I can tell you that I love Erick Wujcik. He has been my friend and mentor, confidant and cohort in so many adventures in gaming and in life, that it would be impossible to list them all. I am a better person for having known him, and I have reveled in Erick’s intelligence, wit, energy, friendship and the warmth of his smile. I will miss him more than words can express, but I am so lucky, my life so much richer, for having had such a rare gem of a person in it. I smile every time I think about our antics together. How Erick basks in the exuberance of gaming conventions (and life). At how Erick practically floats above the ground at conventions, enthralled in the fun of exchanging ideas, running games, seeing old friends and meeting new people. He simply drinks in the thrill and joy of it all.

I’ve talked to Erick a lot these past few weeks. He sounds great. Same as always. If you didn’t know better, you’d never know anything was wrong.

Erick tells me he has no regrets. And I believe him. Erick is one of those rare individuals who has lived his life to the fullest and lived it well. He has an army of friends that span the globe and he has touched millions more through his works in the role-playing industry and videogames. When you look up the word “networking” in the dictionary, there should be a photograph of Erick Wujcik grinning back at you.

These are just a few tiny things I can tell you about my friend, Erick. I’ll have more to say, joined by thousands of others in the days to come.

Smile Erick, you are loved.

Thank you.

Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Artist and Friend
December 22, 2007