Corporations

The Corporations, or Megacorporations are often giant, multinational companies that dominate the world. They can range from simple matrix corporations to worldwide computing firms, and the only thing you have to know is they often operate solely with profit in mind. They will kill anyone that stands in their way. Corporations are often seen as sovereign nations themselves and use their power to change the world around them. In New York City the Corporate Council was founded by the largest investors of the rebuild of Manhattan to ensure security and control over the area after the earthquake of 2022.

## Overview

Corporations can be worldwide conglomerates that operate 24/7: buying, selling or providing services to many around the world. Corporations, and those within them, aim to get ahead by any means necessary. 'Cutthroat'-business culture is no longer a metaphor, as blackmail, extortion, bribery, kidnapping, espionage and assassination have all become commonplace in the white-collar world. Smaller corporations typically act above the law, whereas successful corporations are the law.

Megacorporations operate more like small national than they do companies. CEOs are more like monarchs, holding onto power for as long as they can and use the company to do their bidding. Scandals are brushed aside and power grabs are swiftly dealt with a bullet. Junior members have to watch their backs constantly, with lower-level employees just itching at a chance for their job and higher-lever employees willing to hold onto theirs with lethal force.

## Structure

The power structure typically has a CEO or President at the top, and underneath them a sea of mid to high-level executives who are all vying a chance to progress up the ladder.

Junior executives are what you would call a yuppie with more money than sense, who typically run smaller projects such as extorting a smaller rival or corporate espionage. Above them are managers who oversee a whole department. The major infighting in corporations begins here, with dirty tricks, nepotism and dishonesty being the primary factor in promotions to the next level. At this level you will see Vice-Presidents whose role mostly comprises of the day-to-day running of the company. Above them, you see the Senior Management with your various C-designation officers: CEO, COO, CFO e.g. Founders, owners and major stakeholders are the companies elite often seen on the board of directors. They are the ones with true power and will always travel with heavy armed presence.

## Types of Corporations

### Media corporations

**MediaCorps** are giant conglomerates that control the airwaves across the world. Made up of thousands of news broadcasters, entertainment studios, and publishers, they ensure that only the right news makes it on air. Many analysts suspect that some of the larger MediaCorps have deep ties to governments around the world, and if they don't know, its only a matter of time before they do.

### Agricorps

Many **AgriCorps** started as smaller family farms that may have owned a few acres of farmland, an unimpressive amount of livestock and machinery on the verge of collapse. After the world market collapse and the collapse of the United States many AgriCorps set up shop, huge swaths of land became drought-stricken and barren and the family farm was all but over. All this happened at a time when bulk grown crops were needed more than ever. Some of the larger farms survived the collapse and managed to buy up a lot of fertile lands. By 2020 65% of farmland in the US was owned by the corporations, many of which producing CHOOH2, the Biofuel of the future.

### Manufacturing

**ManuCorps** were least affected by the collapse. As long as capitalism exists, the manufacturing industry will be fine. "ManuCorp" products can range from aerodynes, vehicles, weapons & armaments, to children's toys, computers, VR & AR, cybernetics, robots and many more. The Security giant, Arasaka, started out in heavy manufacturing in the late 1800s, even in 2020 they have kept their manufacturing operations and secretly own many other small companies.

* Pythun, with headquarters in Manhattan;

### Computing

**CyberCorps** are necessary for modern life in the world of Shadowrun, as almost everything revolves around a computer of some sort. With the availability of more advanced technology as well as the emergence of the Net, tech corporations have cemented their place in modern society. The famed hacker Rachel Bartillios published two catalogs of software and hardware for use in the world.

### Augmentations

Much like the world of computing, augmentation be they mechanical or biological is at the forefront of the Shadowrun world and the corporations that help develop this field are known as "BioCorps", producing and developing everything from Bioware, Cyberware, Nanotech and Biosculpting technologies to GMO crops, biofuels, cultured cells, and test-tube organs & tissues.

* NeoPerfect, with headquarters in Jersey city;
* Xitram, with headquarters in Manhattan; (also manufacturing and armed forces)

### Armed Forces

**ArmaCorps** thrive in the extremely dangerous world of Shadowrun, crime is rampant the modern police forces are ineffective and security companies are as lethal and as well organized as a nation's army. Gone are the days of the rent-a-cop, who patrols a mall on the prowl for some underage punks, now a security team is a cohesive unit, deploying a small arsenal and willing to shoot first and ask questions later. Mercenary outfits have become far more widespread, with many well funded and headed by respected war veterans

### Services

In the world of Shadowrun there are many corporations that will work for you, the customer, rather than manufacturing or developing new products, these corporations are in business to serve.

* Zubbio, with headquarters in Manhattan;
* High Thread Response (HTR);

### Banking

Money means everything in the world of Shadowrun. Banks have in increased in a large variety, promising to protect the money of their climates. Eurodollars is the most common currency available, however there are other currency: New Yen. Often times these banks will have private armies or hired on security services from other corporations.

* EuroBank, France - The European Bank is the basis for most daily financial transactions worldwide.
* Norwood, with headquarters in Manhattan;