In the futuristic - yet strangely historic - present, industrialisation has wreaked havoc on Gaea. Rainforests have been flattened, sea levels are rising, the sky is broiling. Oxygen is running out. Having long since devoured all natural resources in their vicinities, the world’s great cities roam the world like titanic mechanised monsters, searching for fuel and food.

And yet… the world’s population is expected to reach seven billion within the next two years.

The Great Council of Gentlemen, the mayors of every city have agreed a radical form of population control, so Gaea’s remaining resources might better be shared among the world’s survivors.

Every year, sixteen cities will be chosen by lot to participate in the (Steampunk) Metropolis World Cup, a series of Metropolis battles to the death that only one city can survive. To the victors - immunity from future particpation. To the losers - destruction, death. Like cyclopean scavengers, hovering spectator cities will pick over their remains.

The inaugural Metropolis World Cup will be played out on the scorching, blistered wastelands of the Central United States. The sixteen Metropolises competing to survive are:

London, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, Istanbul, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City, Rio De Janeiro, Johannesburg, Athens, Ontario, Tripoli, Madrid, Addis Ababa, Singapore and Dubai.

Check my homepage for updates and analysis of the inaugural Steampunk  World Cup’s progress, through to the final battle between the two surviving cities. Pre-tournament reporting will begin on the 24th August with the live draw. 

London, New York, Yokyo and Beijing as the four favourites, are expected not to have to meet each other until the semi-final stage, but anything could happen between now and then, and with strong steampunk credentials, Istanbul and Mumbai in particular must be considered dark horses. However, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro and Ho Chi Minh City are all strong contenders - at this point.