Civilization VII introduces several major changes and new features that significantly evolve the series’ classic 4X strategy gameplay. Here’s a comprehensive look at the key differences between Civilization VI and VII.

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Fundamental Changes to Game Structure

• New Three-Age System:
  • Civilization VII replaces the traditional multiple eras with just three ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern.
  • Each age is more distinct and impactful than previous era transitions.
  • Players choose a new civilization when entering each new age, with options based on their previous choices and gameplay style.
  • The system aims to prevent early-game advantages from snowballing and keep late-game gameplay engaging[1][2].
• Crisis Events and Policies:
  • Each age culminates in Crisis events, which require players to adopt Crisis Policies—negative effects that impact gameplay[2][5].
• Legacy Paths:
  • Players can pursue achievements in “Legacy Paths” during the first two ages, such as building World Wonders in the Antiquity age for cultural dominance[2].

Leaders and Civilizations

• Leaders Decoupled from Civilizations:
  • Any leader can lead any civilization.
  • Leaders aren’t necessarily historical heads of state (e.g., Benjamin Franklin is a leader option)[1][2].
• New Leader Attribute System:
  • Lets players customize leader strengths with points.
• Age-Specific Civilizations:
  • Each age has its own unique set of civilizations to choose from[2].

City Management and Development

• New Towns System:
  • Settlers now found towns instead of cities.
  • Towns have no production queue and automatically convert Production into Gold.
  • Towns can be specialized (farming, mining, military fort, trade outpost, etc.).
  • Towns can be upgraded to full cities by spending Gold, with cost increasing based on existing city count[1][4].
• City Changes:
  • Cities no longer automatically expand to new tiles.
  • Players choose which adjacent tiles to annex when cities grow.
  • Worker units have been removed—improvements are added automatically to new tiles.
  • City tiles are now classified as “rural” or “urban”.
  • Urban districts can contain any combination of buildings rather than being specialized.
  • Walls can be built in each urban district, requiring invaders to breach multiple fortifications[2][4].

Military and Combat

• Commander Units:
  • New special military units that lead armies.
  • Only Commander units can gain experience and receive promotions.
  • Provide passive bonuses to nearby units.
  • Can stack other units for group movement.
  • Can issue tactical orders to nearby units with attack bonuses[6].
• Other Military Changes:
  • Individual units no longer gain experience or promotions.
  • Units can fortify and build actual fortifications.
  • Proper flanking bonuses added—attack direction matters.
  • Units can embark over shallow water by default[6].

Diplomacy and Trade

• New Influence System:
  • Influence is a new resource spent on diplomatic actions.
  • Used for positive actions like gaining city-state loyalty and making agreements.
  • Can also be used for negative actions like sanctions or military infiltration.
  • Can spend Influence to prevent relationship deterioration[6].
• Other Diplomatic Changes:
  • War Support and War Weariness mechanics added.
  • Trade system streamlined to focus on broader relationships rather than individual deals.
  • Independent Powers replace Barbarians and can potentially become City-States[2].

Additional Features

• Cross-Progression Elements:
  • New Legends system tracks achievements across multiple playthroughs.
  • Mementos system provides persistent rewards that carry over between games.
  • Nearly 100 unique Mementos to earn that provide various bonuses.
• Narrative Events:
  • New system presents players with choices that impact their civilization’s development.
  • Over 1000 different narrative events at launch.
  • Events offer approximately equal value rewards but shape civilization’s character.
• Technical Features:
  • Cross-platform multiplayer between PC and consoles.
  • Games can span all three ages or focus on just one age.
  • Supports up to 8 players (varies by platform and age).

References:
– [Civilization 7’s new features: a revamped three-age structure, towns, navigable rivers, and more](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/civilization-7-new-features/) – Tyler Wilde, PC Gamer, August 20, 2024
– [PC Gamer Summary of changes in civ7](https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/pc-gamer-summary-of-changes-in-civ7.691496/) – SupremacyKing2, Civilization Fanatics Center Forums, August 23, 2024
– [7 Biggest Civ 7 Differences From Civ 6](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGK-K-eGLrk) – Eurogamer, February 12, 2025
– [Civilization 7: Everything we know about the first new Civ game in …](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/civilization-7-release-date-ages-changes/) – PC Gamer
– [MASTER the 5 KEY NEW FEATURES in Civ 7!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ql3hMLivBc) – JumboPixel, February 5, 2025

Citations:
[1] https://www.ign.com/wikis/civilization-7/Biggest_Civ_7_Changes_for_Civ_6_Players
[2] https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/pc-gamer-summary-of-changes-in-civ7.691496/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFGuiqUnWHM
[4] https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/civilization-7-release-date-ages-changes/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ql3hMLivBc
[6] https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/civilization-7-new-features/
[7] https://www.thegamer.com/civilization-7-guide-to-resources/
[8] https://www.pcgamer.com/civilization-7/