The year is 2010. Man is making leaps and bounds in technology and continues adding on to them every day. But with this new technology and power comes alarming problems. The world governments have nearly completely lost control of their territories. The world is now controlled by 3 syndicates with no name or face to tack on to them and the government is running itself in circles trying to catch up. Under the control of these syndicates are the worlds major organized crime organizations, the Triads of China, the Yakuza of Japan, the Drug Lords of Central America, the deep seeded Mafia of Italy. But these organizations are mere small parts of the pie, also under control of these organizations are 60% of the worlds Corporations, which bring trillions of dollars a year into the Syndicates.
The world governments have no internal jurisdiction whatsoever, and externally the world has launched itself into another Cold War, trying harder and harder to builder bigger and better weapons and soldiers. The Soviet Union has reformed and gotten back into the game as one of the largest and most dangerous world superpowers. Only here does organized crime not exist. In 2005, shortly after the Soviet Union reformed, they made a concious effort to stamp out the syndicates presence, by using military force they took them out at the knees and cut all ties to these groups in the country. Aside from this major development the world remains largely unchanged in borders and alliances.
On the west coast, straddled between San Francisco and Los Angeles lies Night City. (I know, I know, but it is such a great concept.) Here, above all else does Law not exist. It is rumored that at least 1 of the 3 syndicates has it's headquarters here, where exactly though is another story. The internal part of the city is the capitalist playland, all of the major corporations have an office if not their entire headquarters here. It is in these highrises that the fate of these companies and all who work for them is decided. The city is a concrete jungle with nearly fifteen 60 story or more skyskrapers. All the other buildings are just a short cry from being as close to the heavens. Night City's real value comes in the amount of information that passes through this megalopolis. And the great part is it is all for sale. This is where you go to be in the know.
The East Coast, just 50 miles south of Washington D.C. is the city of Century Station. This remains largely unchanged from the book so just refer there. Another on of the 3 syndicates headquarters is rumored to be found in this city, but again, it's exact location remains unknown.
Now for the GM's eyes only, a look at the syndicates themselves and the key players in this little campaign.