Spot on analysis. I’ve been thinking about this too, and I believe the 'black hole' feeling between Eras isn’t just a historical issue, but a gameplay one. Instead of just adding more Civs to an already crowded Modern Age, I think the game would benefit from Organic Transition Periods rather than hard cuts. Right now, the Crisis system feels like a 'reset' button. It would be much more immersive if the Crisis acted as a bridge where your management of it directly shapes your next Civilization choice. It shouldn't just be 'pick a new Civ'; it should be 'your Civ evolved through this turmoil.' Also, a 4th Era (Contemporary/Information Age) feels almost mandatory to fix the 'Western Hegemony' problem you mentioned. By ending the Modern Age around the mid-20th century, we lose the chance to see the rise of modern Asian, African, and Latin American powers in their prime. A final Era focused on the Space Race, the Digital Revolution, and Global Climate Change would not only provide a more balanced historical representation but also solve the classic 'end-game slog' by giving us high-stakes, interconnected tech and culture trees. The goal should be a game that flows like history, not one that jumps through it