In the world of *Civilization 7*, dataminers have uncovered hints of an exciting new addition: a fourth, unannounced Age. This revelation comes alongside a revealing interview with IGN, where Firaxis, the game's developer, teased future plans for the game. A standard campaign in *Civilization 7* spans three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Each Age concludes with an Age Transition, a pivotal moment where players select a new civilization, choose which Legacies to carry forward, and witness the evolution of the game world. This innovative system is a first for the *Civilization* series.

The Modern Age in *Civilization 7* wraps up before the onset of the Cold War, a decision confirmed by lead designer Ed Beach in the IGN interview. Beach elaborated on how Firaxis chose to end the game at the conclusion of World War 2, emphasizing the historical significance of this period. "We spent a lot of time looking at the ebbs and flows of history," Beach explained. He highlighted the collaborative effort with senior historian Andrew Johnson, whose expertise in Southeast Asian history complemented Beach's focus on Western history, ensuring a global perspective on the game's timeline.

Beach detailed the rationale behind the Age transitions: Antiquity ends around the 300 to 500 CE period, marked by the fall of major empires worldwide. The shift from Exploration to Modern is driven by the challenges faced by established monarchies during revolutions like the French and American Revolutions. The Modern Age concludes with the World Wars, a significant pivot in history that allows for unique gameplay mechanics in each Age, such as changes in diplomacy, warfare, and available commanders.

The possibility of a fourth Age was hinted at by executive producer Dennis Shirk, who, while not confirming specifics, expressed excitement about the game's future direction. "You can imagine the possibilities with this, honestly," Shirk said, alluding to the potential for new systems, visuals, units, and civilizations specific to each Age.

Following this tease, *Civilization 7* players with advanced access have datamined the game, uncovering references to the Atomic Age. Redditor ManByTheRiver11 shared findings of unannounced leaders, civilizations, and mentions of the Atomic Age, aligning with Shirk's hints and the game's current endpoint.

In the short term, Firaxis is addressing community feedback to improve the game's reception, which has been mixed on Steam. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, in an interview with IGN, acknowledged the negative reviews but remained optimistic about the game's future, citing the "legacy Civ audience" and describing the early performance as "very encouraging."

For players eager to conquer the world in *Civilization 7*, our comprehensive guides offer valuable insights. From completing every victory type to understanding the significant changes from *Civilization 6*, and avoiding common mistakes, we've got you covered. Additionally, explore our explanations of all map types and difficulty settings to enhance your gameplay experience.