2049: Shadows of Strife (Prologue)

Setting:
In the early 21st century, the World Economic Council (WEC) was formed to stabilize global economies and mitigate media influence on markets. To achieve this, a unified world currency, the Credit, was introduced, and all paper and coin money was collected or destroyed. Alternate forms of electronic currency were made unlawful and holders of those currencies were forced to convert their funds to the Credit. 

Alongside this financial revolution, technological advancements in robotics, medicine, and engineering ushered in a new era of prosperity, dramatically improving quality of life. 

The energy landscape also transformed. Nuclear fusion and solar power replaced fossil fuels as the primary energy sources, while wind energy declined due to ecological concerns. By 2049, internal combustion vehicles had become rare collector’s items, replaced by automated transportation systems as the global norm.

AI also reshaped civilian industries. Dr. Paul Winterman’s breakthroughs in general AI allowed him to create INTI, of the Intelligent Numerical Tracking Interface, which revolutionized finance, automation, and personal experiences. Working with INTI,  innovations led to the development of Reality-Engineered Augmented Life (REAL) devices, worn over the eyes, which offered immersive augmented reality experiences, enhancing daily life in unprecedented ways. 

Similarly, agriculture was transformed through AI-powered vertical farming, addressing global food security concerns. 

However, progress came with its challenges. The rise of AI-controlled military robots brought rapid advancements in warfare, but frequent malfunctions in Centralized Robotic Operational Network Overlord System (CRONOS), a sort of decentralized hive-mind combat AI, led to tragic outcomes. The most known incident is the Massacre of '45 where many Heavy Combat Robots (HCRs) that were deployed as a force multiplier to prevent the Sino-African War from taking place. The Mark 4 HCRs of that time were heavily armed, CRONOS-controlled weapon systems whose primary mission was to destroy the enemy - especially their morale - by enduring small arms fire as they slowly and purposefully advanced through their lines. In a radical shift of fate, the CRONOS intelligence registered peoples from the United Countries of Africa (UCA), who were waving welcome and support signs, as the enemy, and began attacking them immediately. Thousands of allies died that day putting down the HCRs, and a new Geneva Convention imposed strict regulations on robotics and artificial intelligence, aiming to curb their potential dangers by having each Robot  AI operate independently of another.

Meanwhile, efforts to colonize Mars had produced the first generation of Martians, setting the stage for humanity’s expansion beyond Earth.

The Credit, managed by the powerful International Credit Card Agency (INCA), became the universal currency. Coupled with INCA’s INTI surveillance system, crime rates dropped significantly as economic activity was closely monitored. Despite these advancements, cracks began to appear. By 2049, the WEC introduced additional fees on Credits, fueling widespread frustration. Governments, rendered powerless by corporate dominance, struggled to respond, and economic instability re-emerged. As recession loomed, discontent grew among the masses, who bore the weight of unemployment caused by widespread automation and corporate consolidation.

Gameplay Elements:

• Prologue Story, Back Story, Character Tie-In

Author's Notes: 

This scenario is a perfect way to bring a group together for a Days of Reckoning Campaign. They might be mingling at an elegant skyscraper party or celebrating aboard a New Year's Eve dinner cruise. Alternatively, they could be a team of government operatives about to launch into a high-stakes mission. This moment is all about showcasing your characters and letting them shine in the spotlight. With technology at the forefront, players can take full advantage of their REAL devices, perhaps even gaining a bonus to all their abilities. There are planned to be several Pre-Calamity 'Prologue' type missions to unite your players into somewhat of a group, but it would use all the rules from the GunCraze RPG Core Rulebook, Book 1: Days of Reckoning.