The world has changed drastically in a short amount of time. Once the premiere world power, the United States now hobbles along, crippled by economic depression. All nations of the world feel the resulting shockwaves and face difficulties of their own. As people lose faith in their ailing, bankrupt governments, the corporations rise up with slogans of hope. Billboards of charity. Commercial breaks of brotherly love.
The Internet gives way to the Ultranet - a darkfiber mesh that spans the entire globe. Virtuality becomes a way of life for millions of people seeking to leave the troubles of the real world behind. Quantum computers emerge. Integrated circuits are reduced in size to an atomic scale. Sythetic Intelligence is born.
The Alphagenome is developed; a genetic map for a super-human. One-hundred test embryos are developed, few survive beyond the first week after conception. The pharmaceutical firm behind Alphagenome begins taking pre-orders from prospective Alphagen parents.
Fossil Fuels dwindle, causing further economic strain. Scientists around the globe work to develop a renewable energy source to replace the combustion engine. It is widely accepted that whoever wins the race will likely replace the United States as the world's broker for wealth. Most technology firms persue the practical source: Nuclear Fusion. However, there are a few government-sanctioned projects involving more radical concepts such as the singularity drive.