Summary
It appears difficult to innovate onCivilization’s core premise, given its nature as a strategy game and reliance on history, but that hasn’t stopped Firaxis from introducing new mechanics inevery singleCivilizationgame. The same goes forCivilization 7, which will introduce a serious shake-up to how Ages and Leaders work. One associated mechanic is also the new Crisis system.
In short, everyCivilization 7game undergoes an “Age Transition” where their choices during one impact the next in various ways. This Age Transition is heralded by a Crisis that brings the current age to an end. Game Rant recently visited Firaxis Games in Baltimore, Maryland, playing a few hours ofCiv 7and speaking with executive producer Dennis Shirk about a plethora of mechanics, including the Crisis System.
What Age Transitions Do in Civ 7
It’s important first to know that aCiv 7Leadercan be paired with any Civilization. That’s already a big change, and whileCivilization 7will recommend some combinations, players will be able to find new metas across all of these possible pairings. However, they should also know that their Civilization will change at the end of every Age Transition. For example, someone can start off as Egypt, transition into Mongolia for the next age, and then transition into another one for the Modern Age. Of course, that’s not exactly what happens in real life, but the age transitions are decided by what players do in that age (Unlocking Mongolia as a possible age transition deals with putting together enough mounted cavalry armies) and probably how they react to each age-ending crisis.
The primary inspiration forCiv 7’s Crisis System is the Fall of Rome. Rome, as an empire, is not around today, but its influence can be seen in several cultures today. Age Transitions represent that because players can be a totally differentCivin the Modern Age, yet retain the core of their original. This also eliminates the issues of aCivilization’s unique unitnot applying or lasting too shortly before upgrades are unlocked. To enter this Age Transition, players must complete the entire Age and deal with a Crisis that develops at the end of an Age. As Shirk explained regarding these crises,
“…This is just one example of something we’ve done with this crisis system, this “choose your method of destruction” that slowly ramps up toward the end of an age. When you have that crisis start coming online, you have to actually choose things you’re going to be assailed with. It’s a cool system inspired by real life that we’ve never done before. The good thing is there are endless amounts of real-world history and situations to gain inspiration from, and that really helped decide our approach to Civ 7.”
The Crisis Before the Fall
As players near the end of an Age, a pop-up forces players to pick from a handful of crises (and then it happens again and again). During our hands-on time, we did not make it all the way to the Age Transition, but a timeline confirmed we’d be tackling a handful of events that develop as we near the end of the Age. Having to choose your own destruction is bewildering, but we saw things that impacted production, gold, units, etc. For example, one of the crises we came to bear was unruly Commanders who were not happy under our rule. That is such a cool twist because, historically, things like that have happened.
Firaxis Games will no doubt reveal more about Age Transitions and Crises as the release date comes closer, and it’ll be interesting to see all the options that go into changing Civs, dealing with these Crises, and of course, how all of these impactvictory conditions inCiv 7. If anything, though, it definitely seems the game is packed with even more options thanCiv 6, which is going to change every game someone plays.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
WHERE TO PLAY
The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter.Sid Meier’s Civilization® VIIempowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!InCivilization VII, your strategic decisions shape the unique cultural lineage of your evolving empire. Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history and steer the course of your story by choosing a new civilization to represent your empire in each Age of human advancement.Construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations as you explore the far reaches of the unknown world. Pursue prosperity in an immersive solo experience or play with others in online multiplayer.Whether you choose to follow a path rooted in history or reimagine possibilities to chart your own way forward, build something you believe in and create a legacy that echoes through the Ages inCivilization VII.
