Civilization VII dataminers have uncovered evidence suggesting a fourth, unannounced Age is coming, a possibility hinted at by Firaxis in an IGN interview. Civilization VII's current campaign spans three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, each concluding with a simultaneous Age Transition for all players and AI. This transition involves choosing a new civilization, selecting retained Legacies, and witnessing a world-altering evolution—a unique feature in the Civilization series.
The Modern Age, as currently implemented, ends before the Cold War, a decision confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach in the IGN interview. Beach detailed Firaxis' historical approach to defining these Ages, emphasizing the collaboration with senior historian Andrew Johnson to ensure a globally representative perspective. The end of Antiquity (300-500 CE) was chosen due to the near-simultaneous decline of major empires worldwide. The Exploration to Modern transition reflects the challenges faced by established monarchies due to revolutions, culminating in the emergence of new nations. World War II marked the significant historical pivot that concludes the Modern Age, chosen because it allows for distinct gameplay changes across Ages, such as altering diplomacy, warfare, and available commanders. The Cold War's distinct nature prevented its inclusion in the Modern Age.
The possibility of a fourth Age, potentially extending into the Space Age, was subtly teased by executive producer Dennis Shirk, who highlighted the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations specific to such an era. This aligns with datamined evidence from Redditor ManByTheRiver11, revealing mentions of an "Atomic Age," alongside new leaders and civilizations—a common strategy for Firaxis' DLC releases.
Currently, Firaxis is addressing community concerns that have contributed to mixed Steam reviews. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, citing encouraging early performance and predicting the "legacy Civ audience" will embrace the game with more playtime.
Need help conquering the world? Consult our guides on achieving every victory type in Civ VII, understanding key changes for Civ VI players, and avoiding crucial mistakes. We also provide explanations of all map types and difficulty settings.
