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

Civilization 7's potential fourth age: A datamined revelation and developer hints.

Civilization 7's current campaign spans three ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, each concluding with a simultaneous age transition for all players. This transition involves selecting a new civilization, choosing which legacies to retain, and witnessing a world evolution—a unique feature in the Civilization series.

The Modern Age, as confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach in an IGN interview, concludes with World War II. Beach detailed the historical reasoning behind this decision, emphasizing the use of historical periods as distinct chapters, marked by significant global shifts in power dynamics. The end of Antiquity (300-500 CE) was chosen due to the simultaneous decline of major empires worldwide. The transition to the Modern Age reflects the impact of revolutions on established monarchies. World War II marked the next pivotal global event, justifying the current game's conclusion. The Cold War's distinct nature prevented its inclusion within the Modern Age.

The possibility of a fourth age, potentially an "Atomic Age" extending into the space race, was hinted at by executive producer Dennis Shirk, who emphasized the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations specific to such an era.

Dataminers have already uncovered evidence supporting this, including references to an Atomic Age, new leaders, and civilizations within the early access version of the game. This aligns with Firaxis's DLC strategy for previous installments.

Currently, Firaxis is addressing community feedback regarding the game's mixed Steam reviews. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative reviews but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success with the core Civilization audience.

For further assistance conquering the world in Civilization 7, consult our guides on achieving every victory type, understanding key changes from Civilization VI, avoiding common mistakes, and navigating map types and difficulty settings.