Kevin Siembieda
Kevin Siembieda | |
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![]() Kevin Siembieda at Gen Con 2014 | |
Born | Kevin Henry Siembieda April 2, 1956 |
Education | College for Creative Studies |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1979–current |
Notable work | Heroes Unlimited The Mechanoid Invasion Palladium Fantasy RPG Rifts |
Spouse | Maryann Donald (1985–2004) |
Kevin Siembieda (born April 2, 1956) is an American artist, writer, designer and publisher of role-playing games.
Career
[edit]Siembieda is a third-generation Polish American.[1] He attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit from 1974 to 1977.[2]: 155 He wanted to work as a comic book artist, but found the industry difficult to break into and published a small-press comic (A+ Plus, 1977-1978) with his company, Megaton Publications.[2]: 155 In 1979 Siembieda discovered the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Rulebook and joined a role-playing group, the Wayne Street Weregamers, which met at Wayne State University in Detroit (where he befriended Erick Wujcik, who ran the group).[2]: 155 Siembieda ran a game for the group, the Palladium of Desires, a combination of AD&D and his house rules.[2]: 155 By 1980 the Weregamers became the Detroit Gaming Centre, with Siembieda its assistant director and Wujcik its director.[2]: 155 Siembieda tried to interest gaming companies in his RPG with little interest; only Judges Guild made him an offer, but he accepted an employment offer from them instead.[2]: 155–156 He worked as an artist for Judges Guild for four months before working as a freelance artist for other publishers and trying to sell his RPG to them.[2]: 156
Siembieda is the co-founder and president of Palladium Books.[3] He founded the company in April 1981 to publish his fantasy role-playing game, but had insufficient funds to publish any books; the mother of his friend Bill Loebs loaned Siembieda $1,500 to publish his first RPG book, The Mechanoid Invasion (1981).[2]: 156 By 1983 the company was successful enough for Siembieda to rent warehouse space and release his fantasy RPG, the Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game[2]: 157 with a loan of $10,000 from his friend Thom Bartold who had also loaned him funds to print the other two books in the Mechanoid Trilogy, Journey and Homeworld in 1982.[citation needed] These were not just loans, but investments, and Siembieda established a system of paying royalties not just to the writers and artists, but also to those who lent him the capital needed to print the books: his investors.[citation needed] The following year, he branched the Palladium system to the superhero genre with Heroes Unlimited.[2]: 157 A freelancer contacted Siembieda about producing a licensed role-playing game based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book, so Siembieda obtained the rights, but was dissatisfied with the supplement the freelancer produced; Erick Wujcik redesigned the game in five weeks, and it was published in 1985 as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness.[2]: 158 Siembieda next obtained the license to publish a game based on the Robotech anime series, so he designed the Robotech role-playing game and published in 1986.[2]: 158–159
Siembieda wrote the RPG Rifts (1990) as a trade paperback in a two-column format which he laid out by hand.[2]: 160 He supported Wujcik in founding his own company, Phage Press.[2]: 160 In 1992, Siembieda sued Wizards of the Coast over its first RPG book, The Primal Order; GAMA president Mike Pondsmith helped the parties reach a compromise in March 1993.[2]: 161 Siembieda also disagreed with White Wolf magazine and GDW over the coverage in their magazines regarding Palladium games.[2]: 161 He demanded that websites devoted to Rifts and Palladium be taken down, believing that they violated his intellectual property, but eventually softened his stance in 2004.[2]: 161 Siembieda fired Bill Coffin over editorial differences and dissatisfaction with the Rifts Coalition Wars that Siembieda and Coffin co-authored.[2]: 162 He announced on April 19, 2006 that Palladium Books was approaching bankruptcy, due to a former employee who had embezzled from the company.[2]: 162 Siembieda filed a lawsuit on May 7, 2010 against Trion Worlds for its MMORPG Rift: Planes of Telara, and a settlement was reached in October 2010.[2]: 163 Role-playing games Siembieda has created include Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game (1983), Heroes Unlimited (1984), Robotech (1986), and Rifts (1990).[4]
He is also an artist, and has occasionally illustrated Palladium Books products. Siembieda contributed art and cartography to several early Judges Guild products for the Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller lines.[5]
In 2015, he was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame.
Early illustration credits
[edit]Judges Guild
[edit]Dungeons & Dragons
[edit]- Nevins, Paul & Faust, Bill (October 1979). Verbosh. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 108]. - Front cover, interior art; maps (with B. Faust)
- Mayeau, Michael E. (1979). Operation Ogre. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 109]. - Front cover; interior art (with Gerald Busby and Ed L. Perry)
- Hinnen, Bryan (1979). The Mines of Custalcon. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 111]. - Front cover (with Ken Simpson and Rick Houser)
- Karczag, Paul (November 1979). The Maltese Clue. Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D). [JG 114]. - Interior art.
- Emigh, Dave (1980). The Sword of Hope. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 118]. - Interior art (with Aaron Arocho, Michael D. Reagan and Jennell Jaquays)
- Emigh, D. (1980). Tower of Ulission. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 119]. - Interior art (with A. Arocho, Bob Bingham and P. Jaquays)
- Pruehs, Allen V. & Pruehs, Ree Moorhead (1980). Escape from Astigar's Lair. AD&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 124]. - Front cover; interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Bledsaw, Bob & Hippenhammer, Creighton (1980). City State of the World Emperor. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 150]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Bledsaw, B.; Hippenhammer, C.; Kraft, Rudy & Miner, Clayton (1980). City State of the World Emperor—Book I: Map Guide. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 155]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Bledsaw, B.; Hippenhammer, C.; Kraft, R.; Miner, C. & Holmer, Mark (1980). City State of the World Emperor—Book II: Shops. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 156]. - Interior art
- Bledsaw, B.; Hippenhammer, C.; Kraft, R.; Miner, C.; Holmer, M. & Hinnen, B. (1980). City State of the World Emperor—Book III: City. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 157]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Dale, Geoffrey O. (March 1980). The Treasure Vaults of Lindoran. AD&D. [JG 190]. - Front cover (with Bill Hadley); interior art (with P. Jaquays).[6]
- Kraft, R. (1980). Portals of Torsh. AD&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 260]. - Interior art (with Brian Wagner, David Allen, Robert Bledsaw, Jr., and Carol Lind).
- Hinnen, B. (1980). Spies of Lightelf. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 270]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Jaquays, P. (1980). Wilderlands of the Fantastic Reaches. D&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 300]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Bledsaw, B. & Adams, Gary (1980). Modron. D&D (5th printing, 2nd ed.). Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 34]. - Interior art (with Pixie Bledsaw, E. L. Perry, and K. Simpson)
- Mayeau, M. E. (1980). The Dragon Crown. D&D (2nd printing, 1st ed.). Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 76]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Blake, R. J. (1980). Of Skulls and Scrapfaggot Green. D&D (4th printing, 2nd ed.). Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 80]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Kraft, R. (1981). Portals of Irontooth. AD&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 560]. - Interior art (with K. Simpson, Erin McKee, A. Arocho and E. L. Perry)
- Mattson, John (1981). House on Hangman's Hill. AD&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 670]. - Front cover; interior art (with E. McKee, E. L. Perry and K. Simpson)
- Kraft, R. (1981). Portals of Twilight. AD&D. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 770]. - Interior art (with E. McKee, R. Houser, K. Simpson, Paul W. Vinton and the Sorceror's Guild)
RuneQuest
[edit]- Kraft, R. (1979). Broken Tree Inn. RuneQuest. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 107]. - Interior art (with P. Jaquays and A. Arocho)
- Nevins, P. & Faust, B. (1980). City of Lei Tabor. RuneQuest. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 310]. - Front cover; interior art (with A. Arocho and B. Faust)
- Kraft, R. (1980). Duck Pond. RuneQuest. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 380]. - Front cover
Traveller
[edit]- Nevins, P. & Faust, B. (1979). Dra'k'ne Station. Traveller. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 105]. - Front cover; interior art (with P. Jaquays)
- Sering, Dave (1980). Tancred. Traveller. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 330]. - Interior art (with A. Arocho and Peter Jenkins)
- Harm, Ray; Reagan, M. D. & Hauffe, Dan (1980). Darthanon Queen. Traveller. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 340]. - Interior art (with P. Jenkins)
Universal Fantasy
[edit]- Wilson, Charles M. (1981). Masters of Mind. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 690]. - Interior art (with K. Simpson and E. L. Perry)
- Mortimer, Edward R. G.; Mortimer, Diane & Mortimer, John (1982). Prey of Darkness. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 840]. - Front cover; interior art (with R. Houser, P. Jaquays and J. Mortimer)
- Hinnen, B. (1982). Shield Maidens of Sea Rune. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 1010]. - Interior art (with K. Simpson, J. Mortimer and P. W. Vinton)
- Hinnen, B. & Hauffe, D. (1982). Pirates of Hagrost. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 1030]. - Back cover
Judges Guild Journal
[edit]- Anshell, Charles; Gooding, Penny, eds. (August–September 1979). "Judges Guild Journal". Judges Guild Journal. No. 16. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 103]
- Anshell, C.; Gooding, P., eds. (October–November 1979). "Judges Guild Journal". Judges Guild Journal. No. 17. [JG 110] - Front cover, interior art.
- Anshell, C.; Gooding, P., eds. (December 1979 – January 1980). "Judges Guild Journal". Judges Guild Journal. No. 18. [JG 121] - Interior art
- Anshell, C.; Gooding, P., eds. (February–March 1980). "Judges Guild Journal". Judges Guild Journal. No. 19. [JG 160] - Front cover, interior art
- Anshell, C.; Bledsaw, Bob, eds. (April–May 1980). "Judges Guild Journal". Judges Guild Journal. No. 20. [JG 200] - Interior art
Dungeoneer Journal
[edit]- Anshell, C.; Reagan, Michael D., eds. (October–November 1980). "Dungeoneer Journal". Dungeoneer Journal. No. 23. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 390] - Interior art.
- Anshell, C.; Reagan, M. D., eds. (December 1980 – January 1981). "Dungeoneer Journal". Dungeoneer Journal. No. 24. [JG 450] - Front cover, interior art
- Anshell, C.; Reagan, M. D., eds. (February–March 1981). "Dungeoneer Journal". Dungeoneer Journal. No. 25. [JG 470] - Front cover, interior art
Pegasus
[edit]- Reagan, M. D.; Anshell, C., eds. (June–July 1981). "Pegasus". Pegasus. No. 2. Decatur, IL: Judges Guild. [JG 610] - Interior art
- Reagan, M. D.; Anshell, C., eds. (August–September 1981). "Pegasus". Pegasus. No. 3. [JG 620] - Interior art
- Vinton, Paul W.; Mortimer, Edward R. G., eds. (February–March 1982). "Pegasus". Pegasus. No. 6. [JG 870] - Interior art
- Homer, Mark S., ed. (December 1982 – January 1983). "Pegasus". Pegasus. No. 11. [JG 1190] - Interior art
- Maddin, Mike, ed. (February–March 1983). "Pegasus". Pegasus. No. 12. [JG 1210] - Interior art
FASA
[edit]- Paley, Bill (1981). Action Aboard: Adventures on the "King Richard". Traveller. Chicago, IL: FASA. - Interior art (with William H. Keith, Jr.)
TSR
[edit]- Fox, Gardner F. (August 1980). "Out of the Eons". In Mohan, Kim (ed.). Dragontales: An Anthology of All-New Fantasy Fiction. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR / Dragon Publishing. pp. 21–30. ISBN 978-0-394-52271-5. (interior art)
Palladium role-playing games
[edit]- The Mechanoid Invasion (April 1981)
- Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game (July 1983)
- Heroes Unlimited (August 1984)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness (September 1985)
- Robotech (November 1986)
- Beyond the Supernatural (October 1987), with Randy McCall
- Robotech II: The Sentinels (September 1988)
- Rifts (August 1990)
- Macross II (July 1993)
- Rifts Chaos Earth (June 2003)
- Dead Reign (November 2008), with Josh Hilden and Joshua Sanford
- SPLICERS RPG (2004) written by Carmen Bellaire with addition text by Kevin Siembiada
- Nightbane (1995) written by CJ Carella, with addition text by Kevin Siembieda
References
[edit]- ^ "Likewise, though I am of Polish descent, I am third generation American and can speak virtually none of the Polish language and know little about "traditional" Polish customs." Kevin Siembieda, Rifts Conversion Book, 1991.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Shannon Appelcline (2011). Designers & Dragons. Mongoose Publishing. ISBN 978-1-907702-58-7.
- ^ "Palladium Books Personalities: In-House Staff". Westland, MI: Palladium Books. 4 December 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ Houghton, Z. (July 13, 2009). "Mega-Interview with Kevin Siembieda". RPG Blog II. Mountain View, CA: Google / Blogger. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
- ^ "Judges Guild Booty List". The Acaeum. Chicago, IL: HostForWeb. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ Fawcett, W. (December 1980). Jacquet, J (ed.). "The Dragon's Augury: Here Comes the Judges Guild". Dragon. No. 44. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR. p. 75. ISSN 0279-6848.
The art by Kevin Siembieda is excellent and adds to the text in several places
External links
[edit]- 1956 births
- Living people
- American fantasy writers
- American illustrators
- American publishers (people)
- American science fiction writers
- Fantasy artists
- Megaverse (Palladium Books)
- Writers from Detroit
- Role-playing game artists
- Role-playing game designers
- Science fiction artists
- American male novelists
- Novelists from Michigan
- American people of Polish descent