Earth: PL

In the year 2125 AD, an artificial moon dubbed Ranul 1 that was intended as a new home for millions of people lucky enough, or well connected enough, to secure passage, encounters a catastrophic failure during it's launch into space. It's crash back into the earth causes a cataclysm that wipes out 35% of humanity. Known as Post Launch(PL), a new era began. The citizens of the world bonded over their lost loved ones and their will to carry on living in the face of disaster. In order to put "Humanity First", the remaining governments decided it was time for them too, to come together. All boarders were opened, and all remaining countries joined together to create one global nation. The New United Nations (NUN) trusted in capitalism, outsourcing relief efforts to the private sector through government contracts to the highest bidder. The corporations of Whoogle, Horizon, Tresburno, and Dismillennia took the opportunity to regain the trust and support of the masses which had eroded since the mid 21st century, by quickly providing humanitarian aid to the people. These corporations' motivations where never thought to be altruistic; however, no one suspected their true motivations were anything more sinister than consumer support and loyalty. In the decades that followed, these new Mega-Corps put their machinations into action.
Almost two centuries later, years are counted by the anniversary of The Launch. At the success of their scheming, the NUN is little more than a puppet to the Mega-Corps. In this PL world, normal people are either treated like property of a corporation, and in some cases they are, or an outlaw.

The air is thick with a permanent fog, left over dirt and debris from the crash. Face makes are required when traveling anywhere outdoors. The climate is generally cooler, with global temperatures in PL ~10° lower than the previous ERA. Rain falls frequently in most regions of the world, heavy with dirt or smoke from one of the many factories. With no environmental regulations to stop them, the Mega-Corps pollute freely. Major metropolis' like Vice-Radice City and New-Yokyo are able to provide a reprieve from this harsh new reality as they are completely encapsulated by domes with illusory weather systems in place.