Civilization 7: Atomic Age Hints Spark Firaxis Excitement

Civilization VII dataminers have uncovered evidence suggesting a fourth, unannounced Age is coming, a possibility hinted at by Firaxis in an IGN interview. Civilization VII's current campaign spans three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, each concluding 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 world-altering evolution. This multi-Age system is unprecedented in the Civilization series.

The Modern Age, based on in-game units and victory conditions, ends before the Cold War, a point confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach in the IGN interview. Beach explained Firaxis' decision to conclude the current version with World War II, citing historical analysis by Andrew Johnson, the game's senior historian. They identified pivotal historical shifts marking the end of each Age: the decline of major empires around 300-500 CE ending Antiquity; the challenges to monarchies posed by revolutions concluding Exploration; and the global upheaval of World War II marking the end of the Modern Age. The Cold War's distinct nature warranted its exclusion from the Modern Age, as noted by Beach.

The possibility of a fourth Age, potentially encompassing the Space Race and beyond, was subtly teased by executive producer Dennis Shirk, who highlighted the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations specific to such an era. This aligns with datamined evidence from Redditor ManByTheRiver11, revealing mentions of an "Atomic Age," along with new leaders and civilizations – a pattern consistent with Firaxis' DLC strategy for previous games.

Currently, Firaxis is addressing community 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, citing its early performance as "very encouraging."

Need help conquering the world? Consult our guides on achieving every Civ VII victory, understanding key changes for Civ VI players, avoiding crucial mistakes, and navigating map types and difficulty settings.