Civilization 7: Atomic Age Hints Revealed

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 Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Ages. Each Age's completion triggers a simultaneous Age Transition for all players and AI, involving civilization selection, Legacy retention, and world evolution—a unique feature in the series.

The Modern Age concludes before the Cold War, ending with World War II, as confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach. Beach explained Firaxis's decision to structure the game into distinct Ages, highlighting the historical shifts marking the end of each era. The Antiquity Age concludes around 300-500 CE, coinciding with the decline of major empires globally. The transition from Exploration to Modern reflects the challenges to established monarchies posed by revolutions. World War II marks the pivotal point ending the Modern Age, allowing for unique gameplay mechanics per Age, such as altered diplomacy, warfare, and commander availability. The Cold War's distinct nature prevented its inclusion in the Modern Age.

Firaxis executive producer Dennis Shirk, while not confirming a fourth Age, teased future possibilities, emphasizing the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations specific to each Age. This aligns with datamined evidence from players with early access, revealing references to an "Atomic Age," including new leaders and civilizations.

Currently, Firaxis is addressing community feedback following mixed Steam reviews. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged negative reviews but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, citing encouraging early performance and predicting a positive shift in opinions among veteran players.

For those seeking mastery, consult our guides on achieving all victory types, understanding key changes from Civilization VI, avoiding common mistakes, and navigating map types and difficulty settings.