The path to this corporate-dominated era began with significant advancements in fusion technology, especially with the creation and evolution of the "Sparc" Reactor. This innovation enabled sustainable, long-term space travel, propelling humanity to spread throughout the solar system by providing almost unlimited energy. Corporations like HeliosCorp and AdAstra, pioneers in solar energy and asteroid mining, became key players in shaping this new frontier. As Earth's resources dwindled, these corporations leveraged the abundant raw materials in space to grow in power and influence.
Space Travel
The Stellar Projector, a major innovation in interstellar travel, marked humanity's expansion beyond the solar system. Led by corporations such as Gama and JacksonDynamic, this technology opened the galaxy to exploration and colonization. The subsequent period saw the establishment of extraterrestrial colonies and outposts, with the Genesis Company leading in terraforming and habitat construction.
Corporate Sovereignty and the Decline of Nation-States
Corporate Sovereignty and the Decline of Nation-States
These corporations, amassing wealth and resources, began to challenge the authority of Earth's governments. Their galactic expansion, combined with the immense costs and logistics, led to the emergence of corporate sovereignty. Traditional nation-states, struggling with internal and environmental crises, became increasingly sidelined. Corporations, now controlling territories across multiple star systems, effectively turned into sovereign entities, setting laws, culture, and social structures.
The Dark Underbelly of a Corporate Galaxy
Despite its technological wonders, the Abyssal universe is far from a utopia. Capitalism dominates, often neglecting ethics and humanity. Wealth is synonymous with power and influence. The lower tiers of society, including workers and mid-level managers, are trapped in a system favouring the wealthy.
Industrial espionage, a common strategy for corporate survival and dominance, is a very common strategy. On a smaller scale the corps do not even refrain from violonce, assasination and sabotage being the norm.
The Role of Media and Cultural Influence
The public opinion is shaped by whoever is controlling the media. This old wisdom also stands in the times of galactic expansion. All the corps try to influence and shape the will of the masses towards their ends. This can be felt in grain on the mediaworld, be it games, ads or news. There are channels fighting for truth und moral right, but their fight seems to be a fruitless one.
The Current State of Affairs
The "big 12" corporations, along with numerous subsidiaries in various sectors, govern the socio-economic landscape. Their interactions, ranging from alliances to rivalries, shape the political and cultural milieu of this space-faring society. Earth, humanity's birthplace, now stands as a cultural relic, its political relevance eclipsed by the myriad of corporate-governed planets throughout the galaxy.
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