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

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

Civilization 7 dataminers have uncovered evidence suggesting a fourth, unannounced Age is in the works, a claim subtly supported by Firaxis in an IGN interview. The current game features three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, each concluding with a simultaneous Age Transition for all players. This transition involves selecting a new civilization, retaining chosen Legacies, and witnessing a world-map evolution – a unique feature in the Civilization series.

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 end of Antiquity (300-500 CE) marked the decline of major empires worldwide. The transition to the Modern Age reflected the impact of revolutions in Europe. Finally, the end of World War II signified a major global shift. Beach emphasized the importance of these historical pivots in justifying the unique gameplay mechanics (diplomacy, warfare, commanders) introduced with each Age.

The possibility of a fourth Age, potentially encompassing the Space Age, was hinted at by executive producer Dennis Shirk, who highlighted the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations. While not explicitly confirming, Shirk's comments fueled speculation.

This speculation was further ignited by datamined evidence, revealed by Redditor ManByTheRiver11, referencing an "Atomic Age," along with unannounced leaders and civilizations. This aligns perfectly with the game's current ending point and Shirk's suggestive remarks.

Meanwhile, Firaxis is actively 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, suggesting the "legacy Civ audience" will appreciate it more with continued play.

For those seeking to conquer the world in Civ 7, IGN offers guides covering victory conditions, key changes from Civ 6, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.