==Megacorporation==

The Perpetuum Project is financed by the three largest megacorporations of Earth. Decades ago these corporations founded the Syndicate, uniting about 35% of the world's total wealth and capital with the sole purpose of colonizing the newly discovered planet Nia [Discovery]. As the planet is inhabited by three factions of a strange, electronic alien lifeform, the use of armed force seems inevitable if we wish to succeed. However, our only way to act on the planet 87 thousand lightyears away is to use our own nanobots to control the aliens' technology against them.

Choosing a megacorporation determines your initial area of deployment, but the Perpetuum Project is first and foremost an enterprise. Employees, or Agents as they're officially called, are free to choose their own tasks and assignments. Agents are also able to found their own private corporations to further their own ideals.

===T-M===

Truhold-Markson had become, by the end of the 22nd century, the greatest megacorporation on the American continent. The primary shareholder, the Truhold dynasty, has led the tiny family business to become a dominant member of the Syndicate. Agents of Truhold-Markson begin their career on the island of New Virginia where they contribute to the great plan to conquer the Pelistal Empire. Agents receive a basic Pelistal extension [Character_information_-_extensions] package to handle the Pelistal army's ballistic weapons [Weapons_and_ammo#Missile_launchers] and to drive smaller Pelistal robots.

Ballistic weapons [Weapons_and_ammo#Missile_launchers] have the greatest terrain capability but enemies can still use tall buildings and plants to take cover. Ballistic weapons are usually medium to long range with the option of modifying range with different ammo [Weapons_and_ammo#Missile_launchers] rather than specialising the launcher modules. Ballistic weapons use the least amount of energy allowing them to use other high energy modules.

===ICS===

The Russian-EU led ICS remained the only multilateral establishment that survived the anarchic period after the economic crisis. The Institute is now a member of the Syndicate, the supervising council of the grandiose Perpetuum Project. As an ICS Agent, your primary task will be to fight the rebel forces of the Nuimqol Union. If you choose ICS you will be deployed to the island of Attalica. The megacorporation will provide a basic Nuimqol extension [Character_information_-_extensions] package for handling magnetic weapons [Weapons_and_ammo#Magnetic_weapons] and driving smaller Nuimqol robots.

Magnetic weapons [Weapons_and_ammo#Magnetic_weapons] are a shotgun style of turret, they are closer range than ballistic or laser weapon but do more damage. Like any turret they are blocked by low obstacles and small terrain differences.

===Asintec===

The Asian corporate giant achieved its dominant position with investments in energy. Thanks to the worldwide energy hunger Asintec has continued the development of private infrastructure without any difficulties. It is because of this that Asintec has become part of the Syndicate and deeply involved with the Perpetuum Project. Starting as an Asintec agent you will have to deal with the Thelodica Clan's forces, beginning with your first deployment onto the island of Daoden. The megacorporation grants new agents with an extension [Character_information_-_extensions] package geared towards operating laser weapons [Weapons_and_ammo#Lasers] and driving the smaller Thelodica robots.

Laser weapons [Weapons_and_ammo#Lasers] shoot directly at their target and can be blocked by low obstacles or bumps in the terrain. They usually have a longer range than magnetic and ballistic weapons. With the shortest cycle time these weapons can lay down continuous fire at range. Laser weapons use a large amount of energy making lengthy battles an issue for the ill equipped.

==School==

Educational institutions maintained by the megacorporations offer thorough knowledge for every candidate. You can choose from three main professions: military, industry, or logistics. The chosen school will provide some initial and basic knowledge in the profession it specializes in. By selecting a school you will notice that not only your initial extensions [Character_information_-_extensions], but also your attributes [Initial_attributes] (lower right corner) change according to your choice.

It's important to note that higher attribute values will boost your character's development speed in that specific area. Each extension [Character_information_-_extensions] utilised two attributes when calculating the cost to improve the extension. You are still able to increase your extensions in other areas of expertise but their cost will be increased. Extensions you receive here can be upgraded later on, but attributes will remain constant throughout your career, so make your choices wisely!

==T-M Combat School==

The United States has never given up on preserving military dominance in outer space. 'Star Wars' - as it was first refereed to during the Cold War, was resumed in the 22nd century. The Ministry of Defense founded this elite academy especially for military specialists to expand their modern warfare knowledge. The Canadian weapon manufacturer Ponter-Lassax (owned by the T-M megacorporation) took over the institute in order to entrust its own warfare products to reliable experts.

==ICS Combat School==

ICS launched its military program after the foundation of the Syndicate. The single EU army has been established recently, therefore the history of Gnossmann Institute is quite short. Agents specialized in robotic warfare have been trained here since 2201. The main goal here is to compensate for having fallen behind other Earth megacorporations in high-tech developments.

==Asintec Combat School==

The institute where the neurointegration console was tested for the first time. This revolutionary tool helps military personnel to guide their weapons far from the actual frontline. The console was supposed to provide China with military dominance, but other secret services have successfully stolen the technology. Many well-known commanders have finished the academy during its 102 years of history.

==T-M Industry School==

Scouner Academy provides first rate qualification in natural sciences and modern industrial methods. Interplanetary mining had been the primary working opportunity for these technicians, until Truhold-Markson took over the institute and reorganized it to train Agents for the Perpetuum Project. Agents who have finished this school are among the greatest engineers of the Americas.

==ICS Industry School==

Zelenograd gives place to Europe's greatest industrial academy. Russia established its own technological park to act as a counterweight to Silicon Valley's technological advance, and to help industrial investments in space. Though the academy's primary training profile is processing and manufacturing industry, many successful agricultural experiments took place here.

==Asintec Industry School==

The hunger for energy has always been a problem in China that was intended to be solved with revolutionary procedures. Brand new initiative experiments were launched alongside regular exploitation on other planets. The institute is known for its petrol-and geochemical laboratories and material engineering breakthroughs. Agents who wish to have an industrial specialization are trained here.

==T-M Political School==

Strict hierarchy is the basis of a strong corporation. The Truhold-Markson Board of Directors knows that well, so the main effort of the parent company is to train competent personnel for dynamic coordination. Students of this institute learn about up-to-date economic processes, as well as general logistics. Jesper Truhold, the current CEO of Truhold-Markson was also a scholar of this institute.

==ICS Political School==

By adapting the famous British university's infrastructure this institute has become the primary logistics center of the ICS. To eliminate corruption the large masses of bureaucrats were replaced by a relatively small group of logistics experts. This anti-corruption division and its concentrated power paradoxically helped the ICS to extend its dominant role in the new world order. Experts of this institute ultimately maintain European ICS' structural stability.

==Asintec Political School==

Noshibute Institute had been one of the many prestigious universities in Japan, until the rapidly growing Asintec bought up the whole institute after the war. The main goal of the corporation was to create and maintain a strict hierarchy in the corporation, therefore it soon gave up on persuading the greatest experts: by maintaining its own school, providing reinforcements of bureaucrats has become easier for Asintec. Many well-known freelance crackers have also been students of this institute.

==Major==

You may choose from three different majors in your school. Each of them will add both to initial extensions and attributes in a specialised area. Worry not, because choosing one major over another will not determine your future occupation in the Perpetuum Project. Consider therefore choosing a major that suits your future career plan. Like your school, your major is also an irreversible option so choose wisely!

==Corporation==

The Perpetuum Project is financed by the three megacorporations which delegate authority to subsidiary corporations. Here you will choose the corporation where your career will begin. Later in their career Agents can become part of a private corporations or found their own private corporations [Creating_a_new_corporation]!

==Spark==

Since the Perpetuum Project takes place on the distance Nia all your commands are executed by remote controlled robots or nanobots. In this section you select the type of nanobots that you will use on the planet Nia. The nanobots, or as Agents call them sparks, feature special program packages that enhance your initial attributes. You can't change your spark later so choose wisely!

==Avatar==

It is time to create the avatar for your Agent! The purpose of this avatar is to create a unique appearance and identity so that other Agents will recognize you more easily. In the mechanized and inhuman world of Nia it is important to remember that there are Agents controlling each robot.

You can choose to use one of the six common presets, move the sliders to create your very own unique appearance or click on the '''Randomize''' button.

==Final==

Congratulations, you have reached the final stage! All that's left to do is to enter your Agent's name and confirm your choice. Before proceeding further this is your final chance to change your mind. Attributes will remain with you during your whole career but the extensions you receive now are just part of a starting kit and can be upgraded later on. When you are happy you can proceed by clicking on the '''Create new Agent''' button.

It is important to know that you can create up to three Agents on one Perpetuum account. It is also important to remember that the total sum of extension points [Character_information_-_extensions] available is shared between all Agents. If you spend points on one Agent you will spend them from a shared pool and have less to spend on other Agents. Deleting Agents will not refund extension points.