As Civilization 7 Dataminers Discover Reference to the Atomic Age, Firaxis Says 'We're Excited for Where This Is Going'

Civilization 7's Unannounced Fourth Age: Datamining and Developer Teases

Civilization 7 dataminers have uncovered hints suggesting a fourth, unannounced Age is in the works, a possibility subtly confirmed by Firaxis in an IGN interview. The current game features three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, each concluding with a simultaneous Age Transition for all players. This transition involves selecting a new civilization, choosing which Legacies to carry over, and witnessing a world-altering evolution. This innovative system is unprecedented in the Civilization series.

The Modern Age, as currently implemented, concludes before the Cold War, ending around the conclusion of World War II. Lead designer Ed Beach explained Firaxis's decision to IGN, highlighting the historical significance of these periods as natural chapter breaks. The team, guided by their senior historian, Andrew Johnson, focused on global historical shifts, identifying the decline of major empires (circa 300-500 CE) as a fitting end to Antiquity, the challenges to monarchies leading to revolutions as the Exploration to Modern transition, and the post-World War II era as a significant global pivot. The distinct nature of the Cold War era influenced the decision to stop before its commencement, as it would necessitate a significant shift in gameplay mechanics.

While Executive Producer Dennis Shirk remained tight-lipped about specifics, he hinted at future expansions, stating the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations within a new Age is vast. This tease, coupled with datamined evidence from Redditor ManByTheRiver11 revealing mentions of an "Atomic Age," along with unannounced leaders and civilizations, strongly suggests a future expansion encompassing this period. The addition of an Atomic Age aligns perfectly with the game's current ending and Shirk's comments.

Currently, Firaxis is addressing player concerns that have resulted in mixed Steam reviews. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, emphasizing the positive reception from the core Civilization fanbase.

For those seeking to conquer the world in Civilization 7, IGN offers various guides covering victory strategies, key differences from Civ 6, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.