City-States

Explore the new features of City-States in Civilization VII, including Ages, Influence, Rivers, Settlements, and Settlers. Learn how to manage your empire effectively.

Civilization VII introduces significant changes to how players interact with and manage their empires, particularly concerning City-States. This guide details the new mechanics and features introduced in the game.

• Ages: The game is divided into three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Each age features unique tech and civic trees. Civilizations are bound to one age and can transform into new ones based on player actions and leader choices. A temporary 'Crisis' occurs during each Age shift, requiring players to implement negative policies to balance the game.
• Influence: A new yield type called Influence is introduced, used for diplomacy with other civilizations.
• Rivers: Rivers are now categorized into small and navigable. Navigable rivers allow naval units and embarked units to travel through them. Both types of rivers now run through tiles rather than along their edges.
• Settlements: Cities are now divided into two categories: Cities and Towns, both falling under the umbrella of Settlements. All Settlements, except the Capital, begin as Towns, which generate Gold instead of Production. Towns can eventually be upgraded into Cities.
• Settlers: Settler units are divided into two types: the Founder (a Civilian Unit) and others that produce the Capital.
• City Naming and Limits: City names are displayed in their native languages. Settlements are now limited by Age, based on an estimated number of exact limits.