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

Civilization 7's Hidden Fourth Age: Datamining and Developer Teases

Civilization 7 dataminers have uncovered hints suggesting a fourth, unannounced Age is in the works, a possibility subtly confirmed by Firaxis in an IGN interview. Currently, the game features three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, each culminating in an Age Transition. This transition involves selecting a new civilization, choosing which Legacies to carry over, and witnessing a world-altering evolution. This dynamic Age system is unprecedented in the Civilization franchise.

The Modern Age, as currently implemented, concludes before the Cold War, ending with World War II. Lead designer Ed Beach explained Firaxis's decision to IGN, highlighting the historical significance of these periods as natural chapter breaks. The team, guided by senior historian Andrew Johnson, considered global shifts in power dynamics, citing the decline of major empires around 300-500 CE as the natural end of Antiquity, and the impact of revolutions in the 1800s as the Exploration-to-Modern transition point. World War II marked the next significant global upheaval, providing a clear endpoint for the Modern Age. The Cold War's distinct characteristics, Beach noted, made it unsuitable for inclusion within the existing Modern Age framework.

While Executive Producer Dennis Shirk remained tight-lipped about specifics, he hinted at the potential of future expansions, stating that the Age system's design allows for considerable expansion and exciting possibilities. This tease, coupled with the datamined discovery of references to an "Atomic Age" by Redditor ManByTheRiver11 (including mentions of new leaders and civilizations), strongly suggests a fourth Age is likely.

In the meantime, Firaxis is addressing community feedback following mixed Steam reviews. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative press and player reactions, expressing confidence that the core Civilization fanbase will appreciate the game more with continued play, and describing its initial performance as "very encouraging."

For those seeking to conquer the world in Civilization 7, IGN offers resources including guides on achieving all victory types, highlighting key differences from Civilization VI, avoiding common mistakes, understanding map types, and navigating difficulty settings.