In an exciting development for fans of the *Civilization* series, dataminers have uncovered hints of a fourth, unannounced Age in *Civilization 7*, which could significantly expand the game's scope. Lead designer Ed Beach, in an interview with IGN, discussed the current structure of the game, which spans three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Each Age ends with a simultaneous Age Transition for all players and AI opponents, involving the selection of a new civilization, choosing Legacies to retain, and witnessing the evolution of the game world.
Beach explained that the Modern Age concludes before the Cold War, specifically at the end of World War 2. He emphasized the historical research that informed these Age boundaries, noting the collapse of major empires around the 300 to 500 CE period as the end of Antiquity, and the revolutions in the 18th and 19th centuries marking the transition to the Modern Age. The World Wars were chosen as the endpoint for the Modern Age due to their significant impact on global history and the opportunity they presented to introduce new gameplay mechanics.
While Beach confirmed that the current game does not extend into the Cold War, executive producer Dennis Shirk hinted at future expansions. Shirk's comments suggest the possibility of an Atomic Age, where players could explore space, land on the moon, and utilize modern units. This speculation is supported by datamined content, as shared by Redditor ManByTheRiver11, revealing mentions of unannounced leaders, civilizations, and references to the Atomic Age.
Firaxis is also actively addressing community feedback, as *Civilization 7* has received a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remains optimistic, believing that the game's dedicated fanbase will appreciate its depth over time.
For players eager to dominate the world of *Civilization 7*, we offer comprehensive guides to help you achieve every victory type, understand the major changes from *Civilization 6*, and avoid common mistakes. Additionally, explore our detailed explanations of map types and difficulty settings to enhance your gameplay experience.
