Civilization 7's Hidden Fourth Age: Datamining and Developer Teases
Civilization 7 dataminers have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting a fourth, unannounced Age is on the horizon. This aligns with hints dropped by Firaxis in an IGN interview.
Currently, Civ 7 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. This system is unprecedented in the Civilization series.
The Modern Age concludes before the Cold War, ending around World War II. Lead designer Ed Beach explained Firaxis's decision to IGN, highlighting the historical significance of this period as a major turning point. He cited the collapse of major empires (300-500 CE) as the natural endpoint of Antiquity, the impact of revolutions on established monarchies as the Exploration-to-Modern transition, and the post-World War II era as a significant global shift. The game's mechanics, including diplomacy, warfare, and available commanders, are designed to reflect these historical periods.
The possibility of a fourth Age, potentially encompassing the Space Age, has been speculated upon. While Executive Producer Dennis Shirk remained tight-lipped, he alluded to exciting future developments, emphasizing the potential of the age-based system and its inherent expandability.
Further fueling speculation, datamining efforts by Redditor ManByTheRiver11 revealed references to an "Atomic Age," including unannounced leaders and civilizations. This aligns perfectly with the current game's ending and Shirk's comments.
Firaxis is currently addressing community feedback, acknowledging mixed Steam reviews. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the core Civilization fanbase will appreciate it more with continued play.
For those seeking to conquer the world in Civ 7, resources are available covering victory strategies, key differences from Civ 6, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.
