In an exciting development for fans of the Civilization series, dataminers have uncovered hints of a fourth, unannounced Age in Civilization 7. This revelation comes amidst an interview with IGN, where Firaxis hinted at future expansions for the game.
Currently, a complete campaign in Civilization 7 spans three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Each Age culminates in an Age Transition, a pivotal moment where players and AI opponents simultaneously select a new civilization from the upcoming Age, choose which Legacies to carry forward, and witness the evolution of the game world. This innovative system is a first for the Civilization series.
The Modern Age in Civilization 7 concludes before the onset of the Cold War, as confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach in his interview with IGN. Beach elaborated on how Firaxis decided to end the game at the close of World War II, stating, "We spent a lot of time looking at the ebbs and flows of history. Once we knew that our game would benefit by breaking it up into chapters, obviously the first thing we ask ourselves is, ‘well, when does a chapter start and when does a chapter end?’"
Beach highlighted the collaborative effort with senior historian Andrew Johnson, whose expertise in Southeast Asian history complemented Beach's focus on Western history, ensuring a global perspective. The choice of the Antiquity Age's end was influenced by the simultaneous decline of major empires worldwide around the 300 to 500 CE period. The transition to the Modern Age was marked by revolutions challenging established monarchies, with the World Wars providing a fitting end to the Modern Age.
When asked about potential expansions, executive producer Dennis Shirk teased the possibility of a fourth Age, suggesting new gameplay systems, visuals, units, and civilizations tailored to each era. While not confirming specifics, Shirk's comments have fueled speculation about an Atomic Age, especially after dataminers discovered references to it in the game's code.
Redditor ManByTheRiver11 shared findings of unannounced leaders, civilizations, and mentions of the Atomic Age, aligning with Shirk's hints and Firaxis' history of expanding games through DLC. As the community eagerly awaits further developments, Firaxis is also addressing initial concerns and mixed reviews on Steam, with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressing confidence in the game's long-term appeal to the "legacy Civ audience."
For those looking to master Civilization 7, be sure to check out our comprehensive guides on achieving every victory type, understanding the significant changes from Civilization 6, and avoiding common pitfalls. We also provide detailed explanations of the various map types and difficulty settings to enhance your gameplay experience.
