As Civilization 7 Dataminers Discover Reference to the Atomic Age, Firaxis Says 'We're Excited for Where This Is Going'

Civilization 7's potential fourth age: A datamined revelation and developer hints.

Civilization 7 currently features three ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, each concluding with a simultaneous age transition for all players. This transition involves selecting a new civilization, choosing which legacies to retain, and witnessing a world-altering evolution. This innovative system is unprecedented in the Civilization series.

The Modern Age, as confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach in an IGN interview, concludes with World War II. Beach detailed Firaxis's meticulous historical research, emphasizing the global impact of this period as a natural endpoint. The decision to stop short of the Cold War was deliberate, as it represents a distinct historical shift requiring unique gameplay mechanics.

The interview subtly hinted at future expansion. Executive producer Dennis Shirk, while avoiding specifics, highlighted the potential for further ages, given the age-specific systems, visuals, units, and civilizations already implemented. This leaves the door wide open for speculation, particularly given the possibility of a space-faring Atomic Age.

Dataminers have already discovered evidence supporting this speculation. Redditor ManByTheRiver11 unearthed references to an unannounced Atomic Age, along with new leaders and civilizations—a pattern consistent with Firaxis's DLC strategy for previous Civilization titles.

Currently, Firaxis is focused on addressing player feedback and improving the game, acknowledging mixed reviews on Steam. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the core Civilization fanbase will embrace it with more playtime.

For players seeking to conquer the world, resources are available: guides on achieving all victory types, highlighting key differences from Civilization VI, avoiding common mistakes, and understanding map types and difficulty settings. The possibility of an Atomic Age, however, remains a tantalizing prospect for the future.