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ghost-ng edited this page Jan 28, 2026 · 1 revision

Era Score & Golden Ages

This document covers the Era Score and Golden Age mechanics in Civilization VII, including how scores are calculated, age progression, celebration periods, and how to create custom content.

Overview

Civ VII approaches Era mechanics differently than previous entries:

  • Legacy Points replace traditional Era Score as the primary progression metric
  • Age Progression tracks progress toward transitioning between Ages
  • Golden Ages are celebration periods tied to governments, not Era Score thresholds
  • Celebrations are triggered when reaching certain milestones
  • Dark Ages occur when players fail to meet minimum progression requirements

Era System Architecture

Three-Age Structure

Age Description
AGE_ANTIQUITY Ancient through classical periods
AGE_EXPLORATION Medieval through renaissance periods
AGE_MODERN Industrial through future periods

Core Tables

Table Purpose
Ages Define the game's ages
AgeProgressions Track legacy paths per age
AgeProgressionMilestones Define milestone thresholds
AgeProgressionEvents Events triggered by progression
AgeProgressionRewards Rewards for achieving milestones
GoldenAges Define golden age bonuses
Celebrations Define celebration triggers and effects

Legacy Points (Era Score)

Legacy Points are Civ VII's equivalent to Era Score. They're earned through Legacy Paths.

Earning Legacy Points

<AgeProgressionYieldSources>
    <Row>
        <SourceType>SOURCE_TECH_RESEARCHED</SourceType>
        <YieldType>YIELD_LEGACY</YieldType>
        <Amount>1</Amount>
        <AgeProgressionType>AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE</AgeProgressionType>
    </Row>
</AgeProgressionYieldSources>

Legacy Point Sources

Source Legacy Path Amount
SOURCE_TECH_RESEARCHED Science 1-3 per tech
SOURCE_CIVIC_COMPLETED Culture 1-3 per civic
SOURCE_CITY_CONQUERED Military 2-5 per city
SOURCE_TRADE_ROUTE_COMPLETED Economic 1-2 per route
SOURCE_WONDER_COMPLETED Varies 3-5 per wonder
SOURCE_GREAT_PERSON_EARNED Varies 2-4 per person
SOURCE_FIRST_TO_DISCOVER Science 2 bonus
SOURCE_FIRST_TO_CIRCUMNAVIGATE Exploration 5 bonus

Custom Legacy Point Source

<Types>
    <Row Type="SOURCE_MY_CUSTOM_SOURCE" Kind="KIND_AGE_PROGRESSION_SOURCE"/>
</Types>

<AgeProgressionYieldSources>
    <Row>
        <SourceType>SOURCE_MY_CUSTOM_SOURCE</SourceType>
        <YieldType>YIELD_LEGACY</YieldType>
        <Amount>3</Amount>
        <AgeProgressionType>AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE</AgeProgressionType>
    </Row>
</AgeProgressionYieldSources>

Age Progression

Progression Thresholds

Each Legacy Path has three milestones that determine Age readiness:

<AgeProgressionMilestones>
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_1"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         Threshold="15"
         AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_1"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_2"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         Threshold="30"
         AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_2"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionMilestoneType="ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE_MILESTONE_3"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         Threshold="50"
         AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_3"
         FinalMilestone="true"/>
</AgeProgressionMilestones>

Progression Events

Events fire when milestones are reached:

Event Trigger
AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_1 First milestone reached
AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_2 Second milestone reached
AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_3 Final milestone reached
AGE_PROGRESSION_AGE_ENDING Age is about to end
AGE_PROGRESSION_AGE_ENDED Age has ended

Defining Age Events

<AgeProgressionEvents>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_1"
         Name="LOC_MILESTONE_1_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MILESTONE_1_DESC"
         LegacyPointBonus="5"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_2"
         Name="LOC_MILESTONE_2_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MILESTONE_2_DESC"
         LegacyPointBonus="10"/>
    <Row AgeProgressionEventType="AGE_PROGRESSION_PLAYER_MILESTONE_3"
         Name="LOC_MILESTONE_3_NAME"
         Description="LOC_MILESTONE_3_DESC"
         LegacyPointBonus="20"/>
</AgeProgressionEvents>

Golden Ages

Golden Ages in Civ VII are tied to governments and celebrations, not Era Score.

Golden Age Structure

<Types>
    <Row Type="GOLDEN_AGE_MY_GOLDEN_AGE" Kind="KIND_GOLDEN_AGE"/>
</Types>

<GoldenAges>
    <Row GoldenAgeType="GOLDEN_AGE_MY_GOLDEN_AGE"
         Name="LOC_GOLDEN_AGE_MY_NAME"
         Description="LOC_GOLDEN_AGE_MY_DESC"
         Duration="20"/>
</GoldenAges>

GoldenAges Table Columns

Column Type Description
GoldenAgeType TEXT Unique golden age identifier
Name TEXT Localization key for name
Description TEXT Localization key for description
Duration INTEGER Turns the golden age lasts

Linking to Governments

Each government has associated golden ages:

<Government_ValidGoldenAges>
    <Row GovernmentType="GOVERNMENT_DESPOTISM" GoldenAgeType="GOLDEN_AGE_DESPOTISM_1"/>
    <Row GovernmentType="GOVERNMENT_DESPOTISM" GoldenAgeType="GOLDEN_AGE_DESPOTISM_2"/>
</Government_ValidGoldenAges>

Golden Age Modifiers

<GoldenAgeModifiers>
    <Row GoldenAgeType="GOLDEN_AGE_MY_GOLDEN_AGE" ModifierID="MOD_GOLDEN_AGE_EFFECT"/>
</GoldenAgeModifiers>

<!-- GameEffects file -->
<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <Modifier id="MOD_GOLDEN_AGE_EFFECT"
              collection="COLLECTION_PLAYER_CITIES"
              effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_YIELD">
        <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_PRODUCTION</Argument>
        <Argument name="Percent">20</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Celebrations

Celebrations are triggered events that can lead to golden ages.

Celebration Types

Type Trigger
CELEBRATION_WONDER_COMPLETED Completing a wonder
CELEBRATION_AGE_MILESTONE Reaching a legacy milestone
CELEBRATION_GREAT_PERSON Recruiting a great person
CELEBRATION_VICTORY_PROGRESS Major victory progress
CELEBRATION_CITY_FOUNDED Founding a new city

Defining Celebrations

<Types>
    <Row Type="CELEBRATION_MY_CELEBRATION" Kind="KIND_CELEBRATION"/>
</Types>

<Celebrations>
    <Row CelebrationType="CELEBRATION_MY_CELEBRATION"
         Name="LOC_CELEBRATION_MY_NAME"
         Description="LOC_CELEBRATION_MY_DESC"
         Duration="10"
         TriggersGoldenAge="true"/>
</Celebrations>

Celebrations Table Columns

Column Type Description
CelebrationType TEXT Unique celebration identifier
Name TEXT Localization key for name
Description TEXT Localization key for description
Duration INTEGER Turns the celebration lasts
TriggersGoldenAge BOOLEAN Whether this triggers a golden age
StacksWithGoldenAge BOOLEAN Can run alongside golden age

Celebration Modifiers

<CelebrationModifiers>
    <Row CelebrationType="CELEBRATION_MY_CELEBRATION"
         ModifierId="MOD_CELEBRATION_HAPPINESS"/>
</CelebrationModifiers>

<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <Modifier id="MOD_CELEBRATION_HAPPINESS"
              collection="COLLECTION_PLAYER_CITIES"
              effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_YIELD">
        <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_HAPPINESS</Argument>
        <Argument name="Amount">3</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Dark Ages

Dark Ages occur when players fail to meet minimum progression requirements.

Dark Age Triggers

<DarkAgeConditions>
    <Row ConditionType="CONDITION_BELOW_MILESTONE_1"
         AgeProgressionType="AGE_PROGRESSION_ANTIQUITY_SCIENCE"
         ThresholdPercent="25"
         TriggersOnAgeEnd="true"/>
</DarkAgeConditions>

Dark Age Effects

<DarkAgeModifiers>
    <Row DarkAgeType="DARK_AGE_DEFAULT" ModifierId="MOD_DARK_AGE_PENALTY"/>
</DarkAgeModifiers>

<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <!-- Penalty during dark age -->
    <Modifier id="MOD_DARK_AGE_PENALTY"
              collection="COLLECTION_PLAYER_CITIES"
              effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_YIELD">
        <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_CULTURE</Argument>
        <Argument name="Percent">-15</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Dark Age Consolation Rewards

Even in dark ages, players get some rewards:

<AgeProgressionRewards>
    <Row AgeProgressionRewardType="AGE_REWARD_DARK_AGE_SCIENCE_1"
         Name="LOC_DARK_AGE_SCIENCE_REWARD_NAME"
         Description="LOC_DARK_AGE_SCIENCE_REWARD_DESC"
         RewardCategory="REWARD_CATEGORY_DARK_AGE"/>
</AgeProgressionRewards>

Era Score Modifiers

Effects for Era Score

Effect Description
EFFECT_ADJUST_LEGACY_POINTS Grant or remove legacy points
EFFECT_ADJUST_AGE_PROGRESSION Modify path progress
EFFECT_TRIGGER_GOLDEN_AGE Force a golden age
EFFECT_EXTEND_GOLDEN_AGE Add turns to active golden age
EFFECT_TRIGGER_CELEBRATION Force a celebration

Example: Leader Ability for Era Score

<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <!-- Leader earns bonus legacy points from wonders -->
    <Modifier id="MOD_LEADER_WONDER_LEGACY"
              collection="COLLECTION_PLAYER_CITIES"
              effect="EFFECT_ATTACH_MODIFIERS">
        <Argument name="ModifierId">ATTACH_WONDER_LEGACY_BONUS</Argument>
    </Modifier>

    <Modifier id="ATTACH_WONDER_LEGACY_BONUS"
              collection="COLLECTION_CITY_WONDERS"
              effect="EFFECT_ADJUST_LEGACY_POINTS">
        <Argument name="Amount">2</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Complete Example: Custom Era Mechanics

Custom Celebration with Golden Age

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <Types>
        <Row Type="CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE" Kind="KIND_CELEBRATION"/>
        <Row Type="GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE" Kind="KIND_GOLDEN_AGE"/>
    </Types>

    <!-- Define the celebration -->
    <Celebrations>
        <Row CelebrationType="CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE"
             Name="LOC_CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_NAME"
             Description="LOC_CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_DESC"
             Duration="15"
             TriggersGoldenAge="true"/>
    </Celebrations>

    <!-- Define the golden age -->
    <GoldenAges>
        <Row GoldenAgeType="GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE"
             Name="LOC_GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_NAME"
             Description="LOC_GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_DESC"
             Duration="25"/>
    </GoldenAges>

    <!-- Link celebration to golden age -->
    <Celebration_GoldenAges>
        <Row CelebrationType="CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE"
             GoldenAgeType="GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE"/>
    </Celebration_GoldenAges>

    <!-- Celebration modifiers -->
    <CelebrationModifiers>
        <Row CelebrationType="CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE"
             ModifierId="MOD_RENAISSANCE_GREAT_WORKS"/>
    </CelebrationModifiers>

    <!-- Golden age modifiers -->
    <GoldenAgeModifiers>
        <Row GoldenAgeType="GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE"
             ModifierID="MOD_RENAISSANCE_CULTURE_BONUS"/>
    </GoldenAgeModifiers>
</Database>

GameEffects for Custom Era Mechanics

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<GameEffects xmlns="GameEffects">
    <!-- Celebration: +2 Great Work slots in museums -->
    <Modifier id="MOD_RENAISSANCE_GREAT_WORKS"
              collection="COLLECTION_PLAYER_CITIES"
              effect="EFFECT_ADJUST_GREAT_WORK_SLOTS">
        <SubjectRequirements>
            <Requirement type="REQUIREMENT_CITY_HAS_BUILDING">
                <Argument name="BuildingType">BUILDING_MUSEUM</Argument>
            </Requirement>
        </SubjectRequirements>
        <Argument name="Amount">2</Argument>
    </Modifier>

    <!-- Golden Age: +50% culture in all cities -->
    <Modifier id="MOD_RENAISSANCE_CULTURE_BONUS"
              collection="COLLECTION_PLAYER_CITIES"
              effect="EFFECT_CITY_ADJUST_YIELD">
        <Argument name="YieldType">YIELD_CULTURE</Argument>
        <Argument name="Percent">50</Argument>
    </Modifier>
</GameEffects>

Localization

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Database>
    <LocalizedText>
        <Row Tag="LOC_CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Cultural Renaissance</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_CELEBRATION_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_DESC" Language="en_US">
            <Text>A period of artistic flourishing. Museums gain +2 Great Work slots.</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_NAME" Language="en_US">
            <Text>Golden Age of Art</Text>
        </Row>
        <Row Tag="LOC_GOLDEN_AGE_CULTURAL_RENAISSANCE_DESC" Language="en_US">
            <Text>+50% [ICON_CULTURE] Culture in all cities for 25 turns.</Text>
        </Row>
    </LocalizedText>
</Database>

Requirements for Era Mechanics

Era-Gated Content

<RequirementSets>
    <Row RequirementSetId="REQSET_IN_GOLDEN_AGE"
         RequirementSetType="REQUIREMENTSET_TEST_ALL"/>
</RequirementSets>

<RequirementSetRequirements>
    <Row RequirementSetId="REQSET_IN_GOLDEN_AGE"
         RequirementId="REQ_PLAYER_IN_GOLDEN_AGE"/>
</RequirementSetRequirements>

<Requirements>
    <Row RequirementId="REQ_PLAYER_IN_GOLDEN_AGE"
         RequirementType="REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IN_GOLDEN_AGE"/>
</Requirements>

Age-Specific Requirements

Requirement Description
REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IN_GOLDEN_AGE Player has active golden age
REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IN_DARK_AGE Player is in dark age
REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_IN_CELEBRATION Player has active celebration
REQUIREMENT_PLAYER_AGE_MATCHES Player is in specific age
REQUIREMENT_MILESTONE_REACHED Specific milestone achieved

Best Practices

  1. Balance Thresholds - Set achievable but challenging milestone thresholds
  2. Meaningful Rewards - Make milestone rewards worth pursuing
  3. Thematic Golden Ages - Match golden age effects to government themes
  4. Celebration Variety - Create diverse celebration triggers
  5. Dark Age Recovery - Provide paths out of dark ages
  6. Clear Communication - Use localization to explain progress clearly
  7. AI Awareness - Ensure AI understands era mechanics

Related Documentation

Navigation

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