This article is about the location in Cyberpunk 2077. For the one in Cyberpunk 2020, see Corporate Plaza (2020). For other uses, see Corporate Center (disambiguation).Corporate Plaza[1] (also known as Corpo Plaza[2] or Corporate Center[1]) is one of the sub-districts of City Center, located in central Night City.
History[]
Early history - 2050s[]
Corporate Plaza once stood as the crowning jewel of Night City, where some of the most powerful corporations maintained their global and regional headquarters. During the Fourth Corporate War, this plaza became a battlefield between Arasaka and Militech, which ended with its destruction during the AHQ Disaster of 2023, when a nuclear device was activated inside the uppermost floors of the Arasaka Towers.
During the Time of the Red, this plaza was the epicenter of the Hot Zone, a name referring to ruins of the majority of the City & Corporate Districts, which became irradiated and dangerous. Over the following decades, much of the rubble was cleared, an operation that was finalized in 2052 when the area was finally "free" of radiation. Construction of a new Corporate Center began immediately, with many corporations around Night City making plans to shift their offices to this new promised land. The message to the world was clear, Night City was again re-opening for business. To celebrate the rebuilding, Reconciliation Park was designed to be located southwest of the plaza, while in the center, Memorial Park was planned to remember the victims of the event.[1][3]
2060s - 2070s[]
During the 2060s, there was a construction and investment boom, which allowed for a more rapid operation. The project was advancing, with new megastructures occupying what once was a radioactive rubble. The new architecture was a mix of neopostmodern and neomilitaristic styles, paradoxically owing its design to the tragedy of 2023. Slowly, Corporate Plaza was becoming the home of some of the most recognizable fixtures of Night City; it was also a sign of the corporations return to power. In order maintain the area secure, each building had strict checkpoints, and the Night City Police Department collaborated with private corporate security to stop potential terrorists and common criminals alike from defiling the plaza. Both were in constant patrol, reminding everyone who really was in charge. Memorial Park was also chosen to hold the new city metro hub, building a large underground station operated by NCART.[3]
In 2070, right after the Unification War, Arasaka was welcomed back to Night City. The megacorp was given permission to construct a new regional headquarters, with them choosing the former site of the Arasaka Towers. After clearing the remaining rubble, the Japanese goliath began rising the new megastructure. At the same time, they repurposed a portion of the ruins as a memorial to the many employees that had died during the terrorist attack. In just a span of a few years, the new Arasaka Tower stood as the tallest building in Night City.[1][3]
Notable megacorporations that built their regional headquarters here included Arasaka, Petrochem, Biotechnica, Kang Tao, Militech and a few others. Some people thought it was ironic that the same companies that had destroyed the city more than fifty years ago had their offices here once again. Surrounding Corporate Plaza was the congested Richard Night Ringroad, named after the founder of Night City. The MLK and Lincoln Boulevards, two major transit arteries, traversed the Plaza from one side to the other. At the center of everything, surrounded by another circular road and even more traffic, Memorial Park acted as Corporate Plaza's main feature; a huge ring of greenery between the large skyscrapers. All types of businesspeople hurriedly shuffled from one meeting to the next, while AVs carrying high-ranking corporates flew over their heads. This much movement gave the impression of a giant beehive.[4][2][1][3]
In 2076, an incident involving Militech and Arasaka caused damage to Corporate Plaza and other surrounding neighborhoods. Although media called this event a "terrorist attack" perpetuated by unknown forces, there were rumors suggesting it had been the last stand of a notable mercenary known as David Martinez.[1][5]
By 2077, the Plaza still symbolized who held the real power in Night City. Few places in the whole metropolis where as secured, with swaths of NCPD and corporate guards on patrol. Other than corporates, tourists were a prominent visitor of this area.[1][2]
Database Entry[]
CORPO PLAZA
Re-built after the 4th Corporate War, Corpo Plaza is one of the most iconic places in Night City today as a symbol of corporate prowess. Its goliath skyscrapers and megabuildings are an economic show of force and prestige for corporations such as Arasaka and Militech, as well as proof of their inferiority complex. Corpo Plaza's main attraction is Memorial Park, a huge ring surrounding the corporate headquarters. The park is also a tribute to the countless victims of the 4th Corporate War. Every day the Plaza is teeming with everyone from corpo suits to NCPD officers and armed-to-the-teeth corpo security - more than anything an indication that peace and order are not among Night City's natural qualities.[2]
Locations[]
Map of Corpo Plaza.
- Arasaka Port
- Akuma
- Corpo Plaza Apartment
- Crunch Plaza
- Empathy
- Megabuilding H9
- Old Nature Clinic
Corporate Plaza Proper[]
- Arasaka Memorial
- Arasaka Tower
- Biotechnica Building
- Kang Tao Building
- Memorial Park
- Militech Offices
- Petrochem Tower
- The View
- Appel de Paris
- Cambridge Winery
- Nagami Market
Behind the Scenes[]
By 2077, corporations have assumed many of the prerogatives formerly reserved for nation-states. They claim extraterritorial privileges that grant immunity to their employees and agents. They maintain private armies and wage private wars, both openly and covertly. They sign treaties with other corporations and even with sovereign nations. As a result, Corporate Plaza resembles an embassy district or the United Nations Headquarters in New York, a space where independent and often hostile powers have staked out a shaky truce, a demilitarized zone where diplomacy can take place and operations be carried out in safety. Corporate Plaza is the purest expression of Neomilitarism. The buildings serve as weapons in the corporations' never-ending wars and look the part: aggressive, fortified, domineering. Standing here, you feel like you are at the center of a universe ready to gobble you up and spit you out.[6]
Notes[]
- The World of Cyberpunk 2077 describes the headquarters of Night Corp being in Corporate Plaza.[4]
Gallery[]
Corporate Headquarters[]
Concept Art[]
See Also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit - Edgerunner's Handbook. Kenmore, WA, R. Talsorian Games, 2024. (pp.5–6,16–18)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 CD Projekt RED. Cyberpunk 2077. Video Game, Multi-Platform. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 CD Projekt RED. A Visitor's Guide to Night City. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2019. (pp.11,23,26)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 BATYLDA, M. The World of Cyberpunk 2077. 1st ed. Milwaukie, OR, Dark Horse Books, 2020. (pp.23,104–106,139)
- ↑ STUDIO TRIGGER. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners - My Moon My Man. Netflix/CD Projekt RED, 2022.
- ↑ CURRIT, T. The Official Digital Artbook of Cyberpunk 2077. Digital, Online. CD Projekt RED, 2020. (p.44)
