The Bazaar #100: AudioRPG Nightbane Special Edition Hardcovers/Audiobooks

GENERAL 

So, if you have ANY connection to one of the Palladium Books or related RPG Facebook groups, you’ve likely come across advertisements for the Nightbane Special Edition with the Foil Hardcovers and Audiobooks. These adds have been up for weeks now. For those not in the know, this isn’t Palladium Books’ first foray into the Audiobooks realm, and they’ve teamed up with AudioRPG before for other titles as well. This project, however, is a bit of a first, in that they are offering the combined Special Edition Foil Hardcover along with the audiobook. So without further a-do, let’s take a look at the offerings, and see what’s what. 

DISCUSSION 

Nightbane (The Early Years). First released in 1995 under the name Nightspawn, it was released with much fanfare and pomp, with a gorgeous cover illustration by Gerald Brom. At the time, Rifts was still very much a top name, and along with ROBOTECH and the TMNT had pushed Palladium Books to its zenith of the RPG industry. That level of recognition probably helped get the attention which launched the initial legal fracas with Image Comics (Todd McFarlane), that ultimately led to the renaming of the Palladium Books RPG from Nightspawn to Nightbane (those early Nightspawn books became instant collector items). I recall the online community and message boards had very positive impressions of this RPG. It presented something entirely different from Rifts, and there certainly was an audience for it. A modern setting RPG with film-noir horror themes and SDC settings. The idea of hiding in plain sight, the Player Character a human with hidden mutations fighting against a secret invasion by supernatural entities, their control of the government and law enforcement, and the general unacceptance for all things supernatural by the general population certainly had its draw. Something akin to X-Files and The Matrix combined, with superhero cross-over thrown into the mix. Ultimately, it wasn’t something my gaming group or I was drawn to at the time; we were firmly ensconced with Rifts. 

Two selections from my personal collection - Francois

Nightbane (The Now). The Nightbane game itself has been around for decades. There were a flurry of releases at the beginning, followed by a couple of books later on. The game still has its supporters, but it certainly isn’t Palladium Books’ top game. I’d wager it likely fights among the others for third place, after Palladium Fantasy RPG. With the Main RPG book, it is supported by four World Books and two ‘Sourcebooks’ to add to the collection. The collected series provided Players with a fairly complete series of tables to create their Morphus character, the hidden mutations they leverage in their secret battles against the Nightlords and their minions. Links below to Palladium Store.

• Nightbane RPG (1995)

• World Book 1: Between the Shadows (1996) 

• World Book 2: Nightlands (1999) 

• World Book 3: Through the Glass Darkly (1997) 

• World Book 4: Shadows of Light (2003) 

• Nightbane Survival Guide (2009) 

• Nightbane Dark Designs (2017) 

AUDIORPG BACKERKIT CAMPAIGN 

General. The campaign was launched by a company named AudioRPG, [AudioRPG Creator Page], where they claim to be a publisher of audio books for RPG rule books, source books and adventures. The idea of pushing Play and relaxing to listen as someone reads an RPG product is a bit of a novel idea (pun intended). 

Backerkit Site: AudioRPG Nightbane Special Edition Hardcovers & Audiobooks

Deadline. Campaign closes 12 June 2026.

AudioRPG. If one were to visit the official website for AudioRPG, you'll find their catalogue already has a plethora of Palladium Books' products on-hand, as well as audiobooks from other RPGs (e.g. Savage Worlds and Traveller). The list also includes many of the more popular Palladium Books games, as well as several of the Nightbane books. This does provide some reassurance to the validity of the Backerkit campaign, in that they are not starting from scratch. The Audiobooks side of the campaign is their bread-and-butter though; I'm curious how they will handle the physical printer-side of the larger Bundle offer. Addendum: Confirmed, later on.

Audiobooks. This aspect of the deal is something I’m not sure about. I’ve got zero visibility on the previous project they did with respect to the Nightbane book, or any other RPGs they've covered. That said, I’m willing to give it a whirl. I do appreciate they've dedicated a different voice to each of the seven books. That provides a welcome variety, to hopefully keep us motivated and continue listening throughout the collection. I’ve no idea what an audio recording of an RPG product would come across as, but I’m willing to see what all the fuss is about! 

Hardcovers. My initial impression of the Backerkit campaign's foil hardcovers was really positive. The choice of red as the foil color was a spot-on selection. And it appears they made the decision to choose alternate art for all the covers. This provides a distinct alternative to the published art from the 'baseline books,' and the red embossing looks fantastic against the black. It reminds me very much of the mutagen green for the TMNT foil covers (see Legacy Review #15: TMNT Mutagen Foils Review), which were also an inspired choice that really brought something special to those editions. I really like the golden foil for the Rifts books, but these red foils suit the theme exceptionally well. Addendum: I also confirmed with Sean Roberson that the folks launching this campaign are leveraging the same printer and 'settings' that Palladium Books has used for previous foil prints; a reassuring fact.

Pledge Levels. There are effectively 6 pledge levels you can support; a seventh for $1 let’s you add-on specific items afterwords. Fair warning, the hardcovers come at a premium if you go this route. All prices listed as $USD, and it should be noted that for each “Bundle” option there are convenient payment by installment options. 

• Nightbane RPG Audiobook ($30). The complete audio version of the Nightbane RPG, which includes a separate music track. Huh, I missed this music track portion. 

• Nightbane RPG PDF and Audiobook ($35). The complete audio version of the Nightbane RPG, corresponding PDF, and music track. 

• Complete Audiobook Bundle ($159). The complete package of all 7 audiobooks; apparently each comes with its own music track. 

• Complete Digital Bundle ($179). You get all 7 audiobooks and corresponding PDFs of the RPG books, as well as the music tracks. 

• Nightbane RPG Hardcover, PDF and Audiobook ($65). The first pledge level with a foil hardcover for the RPG, including the PDF, audiobook and music track. Includes 60 additional pages from the Rifter. 

• Mega Bundle ($299). Basically, the whole enchilada. All 7 books in hardcover, PDF, audiobook version, and the music tracks. Also includes a wooden dice box and a dice set, which is a nice add-on. Provides a discount to purchasing the books individually. 

SCHOLAR’S REVIEW SERIES 

Nightbane Reviews. Given that this blog has expanded into more than just the Rifts RPG, one of the obvious choices is to branch into the Nightbane RPG. I've already collected the entirety of the series, and they were a fantastic read, supported by some truly phenomenal artwork from familiar names. In terms of reviews, there is no rush to meet any deadline to somehow support the Backerkit campaign; delivery dates are assuredly going to be weeks after thereafter. I can certainly commit to the RPG, but nothing more before the campaing closes on 12 June 2026; others will only occur after. The review may not be the kind of thing that pushes anyone “over the edge” into supporting the campaign, but if you’ve never bothered to look into the RPG, it may be worth the time to have a gander and see if the vibe checks out with what you enjoy.  

CONCLUSION 

As with all Kickstarter or Backerkit campaigns I bother to highlight, I insist on reiterating the same message: I simply advise you to support the campaign as you like and you see fit, to the pledge level that best meets your needs, capability, and comfort level. There are always risks associated with campaigns of these sorts; the few ‘bad apples’ out there certainly are easy enough to find. 

I should note that as of 02 June 2026, there are 180 total Backers, and has made its requisite pledge level. Of those 180, 139 are at the Mega Bundle level, which leads me to believe that the vast majority of supporters for the campaign (just shy of 80%) have taken a similar approach to the Kickstarter as I have: they like the game, they're intrigued by the audiobook aspect, but they're in it for the foil hardcover books. And that's perfectly fine! Let's see how this drives the campaign and any future versions of their offers?

I myself will be joining the vast majority of supporters at the Mega Bundle tier, more out of a ‘completionist’ approach and with an eye on the foil hardcovers. I’m at the point where I’m collecting the bits and pieces I need to ‘fill the gaps’ in my physical collection. The audiobooks are intriguing, but I’ve no experience with them other than anecdotal reviews online. I’m certainly willing to give them a fair shake. The hope is that this campaign is successful, and that AudioRPG has prepared themselves for the onslaught of printing needs to get these books published and shipped to the majority of supporters. I know I'm wishing them the best of luck, and thoroughly looking forward to seeing those red-embossed foil covers once the box makes it through customs.

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