Civilization 7's Expanding Horizons: A Fourth Age on the Horizon?

Civilization 7, currently featuring three Ages – Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern – may soon expand its historical scope. Dataminers have uncovered evidence suggesting a fourth, unannounced Age, a claim subtly corroborated by Firaxis in an IGN interview.

The game's current structure involves sequential Ages, each concluding with an Age Transition. This transition allows players to select a new civilization, retain chosen Legacies, and witness a transformation of the game world – a unique feature in the Civilization series. The Modern Age, as confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach, concludes with World War II, a deliberate choice reflecting significant historical shifts. Beach highlighted the careful consideration given to defining the boundaries of each Age, emphasizing the consultation with a senior historian to ensure global historical accuracy. The transitions, he explained, coincide with major global power shifts, allowing for unique gameplay mechanics tailored to each era.

The absence of the Cold War from the Modern Age is intentional, as its distinct characteristics warrant a separate era. This naturally leads to speculation about a potential fourth Age. While executive producer Dennis Shirk remained tight-lipped about specifics, he hinted at exciting future possibilities, emphasizing the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations specific to a new Age. Further fueling this speculation, dataminers have discovered references to an "Atomic Age," including mentions of new leaders and civilizations within the game's code.

Currently, Firaxis is focused on addressing community feedback, acknowledging mixed reviews on Steam. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the core Civilization audience will appreciate the game more with continued play.

For players seeking to conquer the world, resources are available including guides on achieving victory, understanding changes from Civilization VI, avoiding common mistakes, and navigating map types and difficulty settings. The possibility of a fourth Age, potentially extending into the Space Age, promises even more strategic depth and historical exploration for Civilization 7.