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 evidence hinting at a fourth, unannounced Age, a claim subtly supported 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 retain, and witnessing a game world evolution; a unique feature 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' decision to IGN, emphasizing their focus on historical periods as distinct chapters. The team, guided by senior historian Andrew Johnson, identified pivotal historical shifts as natural Age boundaries. The fall of major empires (circa 300-500 CE) marked the end of Antiquity, while the wave of revolutions in the 1800s concluded the Exploration Age. The significant global upheaval of the World Wars provided a fitting conclusion to the Modern Age, allowing for unique gameplay mechanics tailored to each era. The Cold War's distinct nature prevented its inclusion in the Modern Age.

When questioned about a potential fourth Age, perhaps encompassing the Space Race and beyond, executive producer Dennis Shirk offered a cryptic but suggestive response, highlighting the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations specific to such an era.

Adding fuel to the speculation, dataminer ManByTheRiver11 discovered references to an "Atomic Age," along with unannounced leaders and civilizations within the early access version of the game. This strongly suggests a future expansion.

While addressing negative player reviews on Steam, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in Civilization 7's long-term success, believing the core fanbase will eventually embrace the game.

For players seeking assistance in their global domination efforts, IGN offers guides covering victory strategies, key differences from Civilization VI, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.