Civilization 7 Atomic Age Teased by Dataminers

Civilization 7's Development: A Fourth Age on the Horizon?

Dataminers have uncovered hints suggesting Civilization 7 will feature a fourth, unannounced Age, a claim subtly supported by Firaxis in a recent IGN interview. Currently, the game progresses through 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 global game world evolution – a unique feature in the Civilization series.

The Modern Age, as currently implemented, ends before the Cold War, concluding around the end of World War II. Lead designer Ed Beach explained Firaxis' decision to IGN, highlighting the historical significance of these periods as natural chapter breaks. The transitions between Ages are carefully chosen to reflect major historical shifts, ensuring gameplay mechanics align with real-world events. The shift from Exploration to Modern, for example, mirrors the impact of revolutions on established monarchies. The end of the Modern Age reflects the pivotal changes following World War II, a point where new gameplay systems, diplomacy, warfare, and available commanders are introduced.

While Firaxis remains tight-lipped about specifics, executive producer Dennis Shirk hinted at future expansions, stating that the Age system's design allows for significant expansion and exciting possibilities. This tease, coupled with datamined references to an "Atomic Age" – including mentions of new leaders and civilizations – strongly suggests a fourth Age is in development. This would logically follow the current game's timeline and address the community's anticipation for a post-World War II era.

Currently, Firaxis is focused on addressing player feedback and improving the game's overall reception, which has been mixed on Steam. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative reviews but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, emphasizing the positive early performance and the belief that the core Civilization fanbase will appreciate the game more with continued play.

For players looking to conquer the world, resources such as guides on achieving all victory types, understanding the key differences from Civilization VI, and avoiding common mistakes are readily available. Information on map types and difficulty settings is also available to help players prepare for their global domination.