Regions of Chicago

Chicago and its surrounding area is diverse and home to several regions controlled by different factions. The Chicago suburbs are also home to a variety of Nomad and Wheaton activity, with the Battle of Chicago adding Militech and NUSA forces to the area.

Downtown Chicago is home to most of StormTech and Arasaka's influence, and has a stark income divide between the vast amount homeless set up in the Emerald City, and the corporate aristocrats running Chicago from above them in the Loop. This region also has several locations like Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Lincoln Park, and University of Illinois Chicago. The Near North Side is home to corporate communities, and is the richest and safest area of the city.

Downtown Chicago is surrounded by Reclamation Zones, which were areas of Chicago being cleaned and revitalized by StormTech prior to their acquisition by Arasaka. These regions are primarily to the north and west of Downtown Chicago, with the south belonging to Chinatown, a former warzone between StormTech and the Groups.

Northern Chicago is run by the Seven Nations. This region has little permanent population due to its Nomad inhabitants, but it is home to Olen's Shelter, the Chicago Nomad Resupply, and the homes of Irene and Penelope of the Bad Bitches.

Southern Chicago extends south from Downtown to the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant and the border of Indiana, as well as following the Des Plaines river down to Wolf Road Woods. This is the largest area of Chicago in terms of territory, and the region is run by the various gangs of the Groups. Individual neighborhoods of Southern Chicago may belong to different gangs, and while the Groups acts as an alliance, the doesn't necessarily mean individual gangs get along. This region is rife with gang violence and crime, and mostly tends to stick to itself, uniting primarily to fight against corporations or government powers that would interfere with their gang rule and drug operations. This region is also home to Midway Airport, the only functional airport left in Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry, home to the mysteriously disappeared U-505 submarine. Brandee and Dominique live in this part of Chicago.

The Scav Zone is the name for Western Chicago, an area heavily infested with disease, rampant with looters and scavengers, and overall hostile to human life. While navigating this area is possible, it is recommended to wear heavy protection against viruses; and of course: bring a gun. There is a scavenger gang that stalks the Scav Zone and is based out of Concordia University Chicago, and they are not very friendly to outsiders. Their knowledge of the landscape of the Scav Zone makes them lethal hunters in its decrepit urban jungle, and they have no qualms with picking off travelers who might be looking to take scrap out of the area.

The Chicago Suburbs are mostly home to the Seven Nations and Wheaton raiders, although the recent Battle of Chicago has also brought in Militech and NUSA forces as they try to besiege Chicago. This region is vast, with many avenues of travel. As long as you watch your surroundings and where you are headed, you should be able to navigate in or out of the city with ease. With the addition of Militech and NUSA troops to the area, a Nomad guide is typically recommended for finding lesser known and lesser traveled routes around the suburbs of Chicago. The Six Flags Great America Nomad Market is located in the north of the Chicago suburbs.