In the early 2020's, 3D printers are finally everywhere. They aren't tools exclusively for designers or engineers anymore, people can simply walk into their local printing station and choose from a variety of products to print. From phone cases to replacement parts to an entire set of tableware, all you need to do is buy Grey Matter, the standardized material 3D printers use worldwide, which also serves as a currency for 3D printing.

In 2027, an illegal file starts circling the web, the plans for a weapon. Somebody has designed a fully functional gun based on the classic Namco blaster. The zapper is born, a mid-ground between a gun and a teaser, it shoots small energy bolts that deliver variable levels of damage. Most of the ones that are on the streets limit themselves to stun, however, with the right skills, one can modify it  and turn it into a lethal weapon. They look like toys, so teenagers (and even some kids) carry them and play with them.