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

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, Civilization 7 campaigns span 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 world map evolution—a unique feature in the Civilization series.

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 chapter breaks. The team, guided by senior historian Andrew Johnson, focused on global historical shifts, identifying the fall of major empires (circa 300-500 CE) as a suitable end to the Antiquity Age. Similarly, the transition to the Modern Age reflects the impact of revolutions in Europe and the rise of new nations. The World Wars marked the final significant global upheaval before the distinct era of the Cold War, influencing the game's current structure. The unique gameplay mechanics for each Age, including diplomacy, warfare, and available commanders, further justify these historical divisions.

While Executive Producer Dennis Shirk remained tight-lipped about specifics, he hinted at future expansion possibilities, emphasizing the potential for further Ages with unique systems, visuals, units, and civilizations. This aligns perfectly with datamined evidence revealing references to an "Atomic Age," including new leaders and civilizations—a common strategy for Firaxis' DLC releases.

Currently, Firaxis is addressing community feedback following mixed Steam reviews. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative reception but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, emphasizing the "legacy Civ audience" will appreciate the game with more playtime.

For players seeking to conquer the world, resources are available to master every victory condition, understand key changes from Civ 6, avoid common mistakes, and navigate map types and difficulty settings.