Star Play

First this megacorps was much harder to write up then I first thought. SF is a fairly simple game. But Fun is a societal concept that is so big scientists argue about it all the time. Look at the last election. We here in Alabama confirmed that slot machines are evil and the Lottery will not be here anytime soon. Meanwhile do I need to mention Washington and Colorado? But a megacorp the makes their big credits off fun has to be very smart and very diverse. This write up probably falls short so feel free to jump in and add some more.

Here we go, Star Play

Star Play’s HQ is located located in the city they have taken over called Maze. For those who know this megacorp this is the most accurately named city for a megacorp HQ ever. This is not because Maze has a confounding street grid network but because Starplay is the most diverse, confusing and overlapping structure of all the megacorps.

The reason for this massive confusion is very simple. Star Play is in the business of providing fun to its clients. The definition of fun is so vastly different even on the same planet that Star Play has to compartmentalize each of their business units to insure not only profitability but all legalities are met.

For example; Tervice which while a popular relaxant on Yast, it is a controlled substance on Hentz where possessing 30 grams or less is a ten year jail sentence. More than 30 grams is a hanging offense anywhere in the system. (This is where the spacer saying “going on a Tervice run” meaning to take a longer route because of some local law or custom came from)

This division in fun is most clearly demonstrated in the Dramune system. Inner Reach and Outer Reachhave fought wars over their differences in their cultures. Inner Reach, a mostly Dralasite world with its relaxed debating and body painting has more intellectual and artistic pursuits. While the miners of Outer Reach like to “play hard” and watch mixed race grav ball matches fanatically. Star Play delivery ships never carry items for both planets. The chance of a mix up possibly starting another war is just too great.

Star Play provides for its clients within the limits of UPF and local laws of the planet. Of course their recent development of Rest and Relaxation Stations has many beings thinking they are trying to circumvent local laws. This may be partially true but Star Play will always do only what they can legally get away with.

Now for the different departments in the Star Play megacorp:

Sports Leagues: Star Play invests very little in developing sports leagues, mainly since it is the leagues begging to become part of the Star Play family. It usually works like this, a new sport or league is started up. The players, coaches and management cover the costs of everything. Once they prove the new sport or league can prove they are popular and profitable Star Play will come in. Star Play does not take over, instead they provide a massive investment in further popularizing them, providing and/or the playing fields, manufacturing and standardizing equipment and especially bringing in revenues from advertising, merchandizing and investors.

Price Publishing: The number of written word items published by this subsidiary is unknown but they produce more than 80% of the novels, manuals, magazines, fanzines, periodicals, journals and books. These come in written, electronic, holovid and several other media and are done in all known languages and two unknown languages.

Stellar Entertainment Network: Just like Price Publishing, SEN handles 90% of the radio, television, holovision, movie, documentary, movie, music (all kinds of recordings), serials, reality and space laser broadcasting. Like other areas of Star Play, broadcasts are tailored to the audience so multiple copies of the same entertainment are usually made. SEN and Star Play are often accused of censorship.

The following areas are less managed by Star Play and more guided. Each division does overlap one of more other divisions so cooperation among them is encouraged.

Legal Intoxicants: Alcohol, tobacco, tervice, Darlasite Incense, Vrusk Juice Beetles and hundreds of other products with just as many effects on the mind and body. As noted this division as the most stringent shipping and delivery department of any megacorp since a mistaken delivery can lead to serious criminal charges.

Confectionaries: Sweet treats of all kinds for all beings. Star Play has a gentlebeing agreement with Synthetics Corp. They do the meals and Star Play does the snacks. In areas that overlap like sports drinks, the competition is quite fierce.

Exotic Cuisine: Another area that Star Play and Synthetics Corp cross, Star Play deals in food stuffs which cannot be found at your local market. Need Seni tail bone soaked in brine for 100 years or 12 planet spice mix or Lassodragon steaks? Star Play can and will provide it. They do draw the line at anything which is considered illegal at the source or point of sale.

Recreational Equipment: This category is broader then it sound. From board games to holovid players to adult play dolls, if it provides entertainment, Star Play makes it.

General Entertainment: While this sounds like a catch all division and it is, there are actually some specific areas such as travelling theater and musical groups, conventions both fan based and professional, guided tours, fan clubs along with smaller entertainments like teledebating and the Ms. New Pale Pageant.. In some areas this division handles brothels

Gambling: Another area where local law rules what can be done, morality does not. While betting on sports or the number of graduates from Zebs or who will be elected Chairman of the UPF is generally accepted. Their Celebrity Death Watch or When will the Sathar return or Infant Mortality Rate on Pale are not. Their guiding rule is “If it is not illegal, you can bet we’ll bet”.