Civilization 7 Atomic Age Discovery Sparks Anticipation

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

Dataminers have uncovered hints suggesting Civilization 7 will feature a fourth, currently unannounced, Age, a claim subtly supported by Firaxis in a recent IGN interview.

Currently, Civilization 7 campaigns progress through three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Each Age concludes with a simultaneous Age Transition for all players and AI. This transition involves selecting a new civilization, choosing which Legacies to carry over, and witnessing a transformation of the game world – a unique feature unseen in previous Civilization titles.

The Modern Age, as it stands, concludes before the Cold War, ending around the conclusion of World War II. Lead designer Ed Beach explained Firaxis' decision to IGN, highlighting the historical significance of these periods as natural breaking points for distinct gameplay chapters. The team, guided by their senior historian, carefully considered global historical events to define the boundaries of each Age. The end of Antiquity, for example, coincides with the decline of major empires around the 300-500 CE period. The shift from Exploration to Modern reflects the era of revolutions challenging established monarchies. World War II marks the pivotal point concluding the Modern Age, setting the stage for a new era with distinct gameplay mechanics.

While Firaxis remains tight-lipped on specifics, executive producer Dennis Shirk hinted at future expansions, stating that the Age system's design allows for significant expansion, hinting at the possibilities of future content. This speculation is fueled by datamined evidence revealing references to an "Atomic Age," including new leaders and civilizations – a common pattern in Firaxis' DLC strategy.

Currently, Firaxis is focusing on addressing player feedback, aiming to improve the game's overall reception following a mixed response on Steam. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the "legacy Civ audience" will appreciate the game more with continued play.

For players seeking to conquer the world, resources are available including guides on achieving victory, understanding key changes from Civilization VI, avoiding common mistakes, and navigating map types and difficulty settings.