Megacorporations in the Cyberpunk age are massive entities, far beyond our modern day 21st century definitions. They operate on the same scale as small nations and rival and many times supersede governments in terms of power, size and scale. They dominate a wide variety of industries from agriculture to the media, to weapons and security technologies.

In 2077, these megacorporations have reached such heights that entire cultures, laws and systems revolve around their movements, their products and their ideologies. They also pivot around a strict and cutthroat hierarchy, where upward mobility is heavily reliant on deception, extortion, bribery, assassinations and violence.

Inefficiency, weakness and disloyalty are cardinal sins in the upper ranks of the megacorporations and there is always someone right beneath you looking to fill your spot at the top.

Arasaka

The most influential megacorporation in 2077 is Arasaka, a corporate security corporation founded by Sasai Arasaka, and the biggest importer of Japan-made merchandise to America and Europe. Founded in Tokyo at the beginning of the 20th century, Arasaka survived and thrived through wartime japan thanks largely to its founder Sasai and his foresight.

After Sasai’s death Arasaka was passed onto his son Saburo in 1960, who expanded Arasaka’s services to banking and high tier security.

*Saburo Arasaka In An Arasaka Propoganda Film*

The 4th corporate, and the victory of rival Militech crippled Arasaka, as they were exiled back to Japan where they resumed their operations for the better part of a decade.

During this time Arasaka was split into 3 factions. Kiji headed by Hanako Arasaka, Hato headed by Michiko Arasaka who was allied with the US government, and the rebel faction Taka, led by Saburo’s son Yorinobu. Internal struggle plagued Arasaka for decades after although it was resolved prior to the Unification war between the New USA and the Free States. Arasaka supported Night City, regaining it’s favor and returning to the city in 2070.

Militech

Arasaka’s main rival is Militech, one of the world's largest manufacturers of weapons and military vehicles founded by Antonio Lucessi in 1996. Hundreds of nations, governments and private organizations rely on Militech for equipment and supplies, and their offerings include personal firearms, drones, tanks, aircrafts, ships and ACPAs.

In 2004 Militech really found its footing after their Ronin Light Assault Rifle won the favor of the US Military who contracted Militech to produce this efficient weapon for it’s troops. Modern and affordable equipment is the name of the game for Militech who, post 4th Corporate war was Nationalized by President Elizabeth Kress, who used their assets to bolster the US Military. Militech has since regained it’s independence from this role, and is valued at 1.2 Trillion Eurodollars when you include it’s New USA Assets.

*Militech Agent Meredith Stout, Her Bodyguards & Armored Vehicles*

Kendachi

Kendachi is up next, a Japanese corporation who specializes in some of the finest melee weaponry like katanas and tantos, as well as chipware. The companies origins date back to sixteenth century Tokyo. During the first two decades of the 21st century, they joined the Adachi company bringing some of the most advanced orbital crystal and glass-fibre monoweapons and flamethrowers amongst many others.

Kiroshi Opticals

Kiroshi Opticals is the industry leader in optics design and manufacturing. Whilst it is common knowledge that Kiroshi is on the top of its game when it comes to cyberoptics as well as scanners, they are also heavily invested in orbital programs across Asia and America.

They are rivals with the European Zeiss company, and they were actively engaged in conflict during the 4th corporate war. A peace treaty was inevitably signed, and zones were divided up as to not tread on each others toes. They still covertly spy on each other in case another war erupts. Kiroshi uses bombastic advertising and frequently use the most popular influencers, stars and celebrities in their ads like the Us Cracks, who use Kiroshi’s more zany cyberoptics.

*The Us Cracks - A Pop Group In Night City Used Frequently By Kiroshi In Marketing Material*

Kang Tao

Chinese corporation Kang Tao is one of the more recent Megacorporations, and a force to be reckoned with in the smart gun space. During the 50 years prior to 2077, Asia was a shadow of its former self, in tatters economically, socially and politically. Over the span of rebuilding Asia and china in particular underwent a radical change and along with this came the birth of Kang Tao. In the late 40’s a retired Chinese army colon named Shiming Xu, was delegated to take over the reigns of a collapsed defense company only afloat due to government subsidies. 4 years later, this company emerged from the ashes as Kang Tao, and in 2050 unveiled their A22-B Chao smart pistol to the world market. With proper R&D and government funding, Kang Tao blew past other rivals in the weaponry space such as Nokota and Techtronika, tripled its stock value and is now the biggest arms manufacturers competing with the likes of Tsunami and Arasaka.

Chinese Megacorp Kang Tao’s 2077 Logo

Night Corp

Next up we have Night Corp, one of the most elusive and mysterious corporations that have emerged in 2077. This company focuses solely on Night City and its affairs. The company is in charge of maintenance and upkeep of the city which includes developing and maintaining contracts for building infrastructure like roads, tunnels, power plants, tunnels and sewage. It also has a philanthropic and progressive side, which includes children's charities, and investments into ecology and renewable power.

After the death of Night City founder Richard Night, his wife Miriam Night created Night Corp in an attempt to protect Night’s vision of a dream city. The mob wars after his death spurred the foundation to reach out for support from the megacorporations to end the violence and crime that had spread throughout the city.

*Advertisement for a NightCorp travel service*

As it became more abundantly clear that to exact change, you had to be ruthless, Miriam became more corpo-centric in her views. In 2077 Night Corp sits chugs along at a steady pace, choosing their battles wisely. Miriam Night has stepped down from CEO long ago, but her legacy is upheld by her successors.

Trauma Team International

Trauma Team International is a paramedical military service with rapid response times and the most distinguished clientele from the most prolific powerdealers and corpos. Combat trained, equipped to the nines with the latest in medical, aerial and offensive tech, Trauma Team will respond to a client based off of a beacon carf or chip if their vitals drop below a certain threshold, or they are called in. Response time and coverage depends on the membership tier, with the fastest and most responsive tier being in mere minutes anywhere in the city. TT also owns the biggest hospital in Night City and provides services to private customers as well as the megacorporations. A trauma team unit consists of a pilot, two security specialists and two paramedics.

*A Trauma Team Unity Consisting Of A Medic & 3 Soldiers Administers First Aid To A Patient*

Zetatech

The last of the top dogs is Zetatech, a company specializing in computer hardware, software, wetware neural processors, microchips and robotics. Government contracts kept Zetatech afloat during the rebuilding of Night City, and has led Zetatech to blossom and diversify into avionics research, manufacturing and transportation. Drones are a specific forte of Zetatech as are aerodynes and gunships. They are one of the most iconic megacorporations and are used by almost all megacorporations in some capacity.

Although many megacorporations dominate the skylines of Night City in 2077, these are by far the most ruthlessly ferocious in their operations, structure and influence.

The Main Megacorps In 2077