Civilization 7 Leak Hints at Atomic Age

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 developer Firaxis in an IGN interview.

Currently, Civ 7 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 world-altering evolution. This innovative system is unprecedented in the Civilization franchise.

The Modern Age, as currently implemented, concludes before the Cold War, ending with 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, focused on global historical events, pinpointing periods of significant upheaval as Age boundaries. The end of Antiquity (300-500 CE) marked the decline of major empires worldwide, while the transition to the Modern Age reflected the impact of revolutions in Europe. World War II served as a pivotal point, introducing new gameplay mechanics unique to each Age, altering diplomacy, warfare, and available commanders. The Cold War's distinct nature warranted its exclusion from the Modern Age.

While Executive Producer Dennis Shirk remained tight-lipped about specifics, he hinted at the potential of future expansions, emphasizing the possibilities offered by the Age-based system and its potential for further development. This tease, coupled with datamined evidence of an "Atomic Age" (including references to new leaders, civilizations, and the Atomic Age itself), strongly suggests a fourth Age is likely.

Meanwhile, Firaxis is actively 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, predicting that the "legacy Civ audience" will embrace the game with more playtime.

For those seeking to conquer the world in Civ 7, resources are available: guides covering all victory types, highlighting key differences from Civ 6, and outlining common mistakes to avoid. Information on map types and difficulty settings is also readily accessible.