This section covers important aspects of the Cyberpunk campaign, such as housing and important corporations and MegaCorps.
| Date: | 1st January 2075 |
| Location: | Los Angeles |
There is no local government. Instead, a particular MegaCorp dominates various sections of Los Angeles. Each section houses the workers of the MegaCorp, and other facilities such as schools, entertainment centres and churches. Note that not ALL MegaCorps provide these buildings. Some barely provide living space!
The housing of the blighted end of the 21st century is usually quite small and self-sufficient. The most common housing of the time is a large MegaCorp sponsored apartment block. Each apartment consists of 3 rooms. The first is a bedroom, housing a single or double bed. The second is a bathroom, which contains a shower, sink and toilet. The final room is the living room, which usually contains 1 sofa bed, 1 armchair, a Vid-Com, a Vid-Screen and the apartment computer. The Vid-Com (Video Communicator) allows quick and easy communication with any other Vid-Com. Normally, the caller can see the image of the other caller, and vice versa. This feature can be switched off. The Vid-Screen allows the user to view any of the several thousand channels of entertainment available. Finally, the house computer provides diagnostics, security, and access to the Hyper-Net, which is a far larger version of the Internet.
Another type of accommodation is the Resi-Block. This is simply a large building which contains hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of Resi-Cubes. A Type 1 Resi-Cube is simply a small room that contains a bed, shower, and sink. It has no entertainment and is simply used as a dwelling. This is common amongst those who can't afford better. The Type 2 Resi-Cube is simply a hole in the wall with a bed, clock and light.
Those who have a lot of money live in the 'Upper City'. This area is usually situated at the top of several miles high skyscrapers. These people live in the lap of luxury, with every need catered for. Few people have seen such an apartment.
There are two basic status divisions; those who are wealthy and those who are not. The wealthy live in the Upper City, and spend their lives there. Those who do not have money (about 99.999% of the worlds population) live in the 'Under City'. This is an area of absolute depravity. Here, if you looked from above, it would seem as if the ground was moving, the people are so tightly packed together. MegaCorp factories are constantly active, churning out gallons of noxious chemicals into the atmosphere. Ground Cars try to pick their way through the crowds of people. Even in the Under City, there are two basic divisions. The first is the 'good' area, where most people inhabit. The local police of military or the private forces of a MegaCorp guard this area. The second is the 'Bad Zone'. This is an area where any law-enforcement officer would fear to tread. Criminal gangs and local crime bosses control these areas, and enforce their own kind of justice, usually with a gun and hell of a lot of ammo. If you know where to look, almost anything can be found down here. Sex, drugs, illegal weapons, and military equipment are some of the prime examples.
If you are looking for something in particular, consult the table below:
| Legality 5 device: | 1.5x cost | Normal Streetwise roll | Legality 4 device: | 2x cost | Streetwise -2 roll | Legality 3 device: | 4x cost | Streetwise -5 roll | Legality 2 Device: | 10x cost | Streetwise -10 roll | Legality 1 device: | 100x cost | Streetwise -15 roll | Legality 0 device: | Special | Not likely unless you're lucky |
In 2075, even after the CHA wars and the 'Blackout' (as the dust cloud became known), the worlds population stands at some 8 billion people. And this figure is still rising. It has been estimated that the Earth can hold a theoretical maximum of 10 billion people. It is not a surprise that birth control laws have been introduced in most areas. Areas exempt from this include the Upper City, where the rich can do pretty much as they please, and the Bad Zone, who heed no laws.
The economic situation of the future is not as good as today, with the average person having 2/3 as much wealth as the average person of today. Almost all money is electronic and stored on computer. The credit card and credit transactor are the main means of handling money.
If you want to know more, consult Ultra-Tech or Cyberpunk. Both devices weigh less than 1lb. Paper money is still used in some areas, mainly the Bad Zone.
Characters can have no wealth level higher than Comfortable. Expensive cybernetics or equipment purchases can be handled with me, though.
Power of the 21st century is still Nuclear power. Most buildings have a backup NPU (Nuclear Power Unit) though. Other power systems include giant solar arrays that convert the suns light and heat into energy. Large solar satellites have been in place in orbit for years, beaming power down as microwaves to receiving stations. BioMass power plants are in operation, as are Geo-thermal power plants in volcanic regions. Tidal power is next to useless, as the oceans are so full of chemicals and toxic waste that currents are almost non-existent. Wind Turbines are sometimes deployed on top of buildings, but are not as popular as solar power.
Medical Technology varies widely in the 21st century. Cybernetics have been perfected over the last 6 years, but are still very expensive. Cloning is rumoured to exist, but if it does, it is not available to the public. The rest of the technology is as TL8.
Weapons are as TL8, with a few notable exceptions. Laser weapons were developed by the CHA, so when they went bust, so did their laser weapon research. Several MegaCorps tried in vain to recreate the lasers that were invented, but their efforts were less than encouraging. The lasers of Cyberpunk are weaker and less efficient than the lasers described in Ultra-Tech. They do half damage (or are at -2 damage if they do 1d or less) and have half as many shots. Still, they are used as Monokrys has little defence against them. Other weapons that have appeared are Sonic Stunners, but they are only available to the Military or Police. Some TL7 weapons are still in use, and are at 1/2 price. The weapon of choice is either a sub machine gun or a shotgun, but pistols and machine pistols remain popular.
Armour is as described in Ultra-Tech and Ultra-Tech 2. Light Monokrys vests is the most popular armour for the average civilian or street op.
Robotics is even more primitive than laser technology, as the CHA were experts in that field as well. CHA combat robots are greatly prized by many MegaCorps, due to their astounding AI subroutines. AI has not yet been cracked as far as the public is concerned. The most common robot type is a Mech, a large combat robot piloted by a human operator. The word on the street is simple, if you see a Mech coming, run!
PC's who want to be robots should consult their GM, and work something out. Bear in mind that you'll be using some TL7 components, and you'll probably be the size of a house.
As per usual (in my campaigns at least), Biotechnology and Genetics are primitive, probably, late TL7 to early TL8.
By the time the CHA had gone bust, they had been exploring local space. CHA spacecraft could reach the Moon within a week and the asteroid belt within three. In orbit around Earth, there are a few space stations, habitat craft and orbital factories, not to mention solar satellites and probable geo-synchronous orbital weapons platforms. The CHA mining operation on the Moon was bought out by a MegaCorp who later became known as MoonCorp. This is simply because they are widely acknowledged as the owners of the Moon. Several MegaCorps are systematically mining the asteroid belt of all minerals.
As for colonies, MoonCorp has set up several on the moon's surface, and a mission is being planned for Mars, and should set out within the next five years.
Spacecraft in 2075 are as quick as the CHA spacecraft, and make use of Ion Drives. This allows them to achieve high top speeds. Sub-orbital transports are available to get you from one side of the planet to the other within 6 hours. Almost every major city on the planet has a spaceport. However, the vast majority of large spacecraft are constructed in orbit, and that's where they stay. 'Drop-Cruisers' are usually used to transport the cargo of the large ships to the ground, and to take supplies up there.
There are several MegaCorps based in Los Angeles, here is a list of some of the important ones.
Cyberdyne was set up on August 29th 2070. It is quite a recent MegaCorp, having just risen to that status. Cyberdyne manufacture cybernetic parts and weapons systems. They also perform research and development into those areas, and are considered to be one of the greatest cybernetics developers.
Devastator Weapons Incorporated appeared in 2050, and was the first corporation of any size to be established during the CHA regime. Today it is one of the most powerful, and supplies military weapons to any and all buyers, and does R&D in that area. It has the best-equipped defence force in the world, and is also notoriously ruthless. Although its workers are well paid, they live in very basic conditions. DWI is the most powerful MegaCorp in Los Angeles, and therefore is in charge.
SkyTech is a major manufacturer of air and space vehicles. SkyTech is also a major subcontractor for the police and military, as they build both fighter jets and Police cruisers. They also effect R&D in air travel, and are quite powerful.
MilCorp is yet another powerful MegaCorp, who offers its services to any MegaCorp who needs them. Although they claim to be the military, they are nothing more than a bunch of mercenaries. However, they hate being called that.
Although not officially a MegaCorp, the police are as powerful as one. The police are run and equipped by whichever MegaCorp is in power in the local area. In Los Angeles, they are run by DWI, and have access to powerful weapons and heavy armour.
2020 - The world is dominated by one Mega-Corporation, the Corporation for High Administration, the CHA. Metahumans, or mutants, are abound, and try to stop the CHA at every turn. However, they are weakening, and South Africa, North England, and Australia have fallen to the CHA.
2030 - CHA now control the entire globe, and are spreading into space. The entire world is held rigidly within their iron grip.
2035 - The PPF (Public Protection Force) is disbanded. Research going into weapons technology and similar projects is stopped.
2050 - In a surprise attack, the CDL (Civilian Defence League), which had been building its forces for the last 20 years, retakes Australia. Mutants thought dead fill its ranks. CHA forces are mobilised world-wide. Intense fighting is seen across the planet as the CDL fights to destroy the CHA.
2055 - The CDL is beaten back, but not without cost. The CHA forces are severely depleted. Tanks are smashed, buildings are destroyed, and entire cities are levelled. Small corporations appear and try to force their way into cracks in the CHA's defences. CHA begins mass recruitment for soldiers to replenish their forces.
2060 - The CHA is weakening. The immense amount of money being spent on security forces, armies and weapons manufacturers to stop the CDL is having a negative effect on their profits. The CDL retake Japan and China, this is a massive blow to the CHA's income.
2065 - The world is rocked by an immense explosion which originated in Chicago, United States of America. The dust cloud that was created by the blast encircles the Earth, cutting off light for 2 weeks. Chicago is utterly destroyed and thousands perish in the harsh winter climate that suddenly descends.
2066 - The CDL is defeated, as its ranks become inexplicably depleted. The CHA is victorious, but not for long...
2068 - A small corporation buys out CHA's agricultural development firm. A contingent of CHA troops is sent to 'reclaim' it, but are destroyed.
2069 - The CHA falls, messily. Other corporations, who in doing so become Mega-Corporations or MegaCorps, buy out 80% of its companies. The remaining 20% end up fighting amongst themselves, and are quickly picked off by waiting corporations. The age of the MegaCorps has come, and although the world has been rid of one oppressor, it has been replaced with many more.
2075 - Cybernetic technology has increased exponentially. So has the population, for no apparent reason. The dust cloud has altered the Earth's climate, now the world is colder, and rain is a lot more common. Overcrowding is a major problem. Some areas introduce martial law, whereas others fall to anarchy. Most 'planetary sectors', as they are now known, are controlled by an individual MegaCorp. Murder rates and other related crimes are up by almost 200%, more in some areas. Giant skyscrapers litter the air, which are frequented by a constant stream of JetCars and Police Cruisers. On the ground, cars and other small personal vehicles try to pick their way through the bustling hive of people. It now takes hours to cover even the shortest distance. Pollution levels are way up, as a result of MegaCorp factories, extinction has increased dramatically, and countryside has become a thing of the past. The moon has been completely purchased by one company, 'MoonCorp', and life is rumoured to be better up there.
The world has become a dark, dying shell of human suffering.
| Genre | Points | Disadvantages | Quirks | Tech Level | Starting Cash |
| Action / Suspense | 150 | -60 | -5 | 8 | £10,000 |
Heres a quick section on what has happened... (please note that this is horrifically out of date, as the campaign ended shortly after the events depicted here)
The two PC's, Boris T'Death (The Unspeakable One) and The Ripper ("D") bumped into each other in a bar (as is typical for RPG's). Two combat cyborgs strolled inside and proceeded to wipe out a single individual, and then began to mow everyone else down. Boris was hit by a single explosive round and almost killed, and the Ripper was not injured, and managed to drive the 'borgs outside, where they were picked up by a jet-cruiser, which proceeded to fly off.
The next day, the PC's acquired a job, indicating that they had to track down and kill a Devastator Weapons employee. From a street contact, they found out that the guy was the only person holding together a weapons manufacturing plant, and if he went down, the plant would go down with it.
The PC's went to the plant, and decided to tangle with the guards and building defences. They encountered a "Building Killer" laser cannon (which knocked the Ripper down twice) and heat-seeking missiles. In the mean-time, the target ran off.
The PC's chased him, and tracked him to an alleyway, where they heard screams and a gunshot. Upon entering the alleyway, they found the place covered in blood, with only a single arm remaining, and a broken gun...
The PC's went to Cyberdyne (their current employer) to explain the situation, but their contact was not pleased. Boris returned home, while the Ripper decided to rest underneath Boris's Resi-Block.
Boris entered his Type 2 Resi-cube, and promptly found the clock counting down from 50 seconds... he ran.
The Ripper was awoken by a loud explosion, and greeted by Boris as he hurtled out of a side door. It was then that the two PC's were greeted by two reptilian creatures, looking a little like cybernetic raptors...
The PC's had a scrap, and defeated the two creatures, although the Ripper's ammo supply was getting severely depleted. They decided to go to a local Hypernet 'cafe', Reality X.
The Ripper managed to annoy the solitary owner, and as a result, had the 'Laughing Jack' virus downloaded into his hard drive. The PC's searched for an anti-virus program, and the Ripper ended up robbing a computer shop (the PC's have no money). This called the police down, and the Ripper ran off.
The two PC's got together later, and somehow ended up in the LA Bad Zone, with Boris being unconscious. The Ripper foolishly decided to sleep on top of an abandoned building, not knowing what dangers lay ahead...
The denziens of the Bad Zone descended upon the sleeping / resting PC's, and removed Boris' cybernetic arm, and the Ripper's twin Chainguns and his right hand containing an assault rifle. The Ripper was able to scare them off, and get Boris to Cyberdyne, where he left him and retutned to the outskirts of the Bad Zone.
The Ripper was awoken by the roaring of a loud engine. As he looked on, an APC was cruising down the road toward him. The Ripper took refuge in the Bad Zone, and although he was severely damaged, managed to bring a building down upon his pursuers.
The campaign is now stnading at this point, after Boris wakes up and the Ripper has a run-in with some of the inhabitants of the Bad Zone...
