Civilization 7's Fourth Age: Datamining Reveals Potential "Atomic Age" Expansion

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, retaining chosen Legacies, and witnessing a global evolution of the game world – a unique feature in the Civilization franchise.

The Modern Age, as currently implemented, concludes before the Cold War, ending around the conclusion of World War II. Lead designer Ed Beach explained Firaxis's decision to IGN, highlighting the historical significance of these periods as natural breaking points for distinct gameplay chapters. The end of Antiquity (circa 300-500 CE) marked the decline of major empires globally. The shift from Exploration to Modern reflects the impact of revolutions in Europe and the emergence of new nations. Finally, the end of the Modern Age, post-World War II, represents a significant global pivot, allowing for unique gameplay mechanics in each Age, such as altering diplomacy, warfare, and available commanders.

While Executive Producer Dennis Shirk remained tight-lipped about specifics, he hinted at exciting possibilities for future expansion, emphasizing the potential of each Age's unique systems, visuals, units, and civilizations. This tease, coupled with datamined evidence of an "Atomic Age" – including references to new leaders, civilizations, and the Age itself – strongly suggests a future expansion incorporating the Cold War and beyond.

This aligns with Firaxis's established DLC strategy for previous Civilization titles. Currently, Firaxis is focused on addressing player feedback, aiming to improve the game's overall reception. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged mixed reviews but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the core Civilization audience will appreciate the game more with continued play.

For those seeking to conquer the world in Civilization 7, resources are available to help master every victory condition, understand key differences from Civilization VI, avoid common mistakes, and navigate the various map types and difficulty settings.