Popular multiplayer board game Catan is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Designed by former dental technician Klaus Teuber, it was first published in Germany in 1995 as The Settlers of Catan. Catan soon made its way to other countries and was one of the first German-style board games to become popular outside Europe.
The game is set on the fictional island of Catan in the Middle Ages. Players must take on the role of traders and settlers, with each attempting to build up their holdings while trading and acquiring resources needed to do so. The game board is comprised of hex tiles of different land types, which can be either be productive such as fertile fields or the unproductive desert tile. Players gain points as their villages and cities grow, with the first to reach 10 points being the winner.
The game has seen immense success, earning nearly a dozen awards in recognition. As of this year, it is estimated that more than 32 million units in more than 30 languages have been sold worldwide.
So how did a German board game become such a worldwide phenomenon? Many have attributed it to Catan's jack of all trades nature. Catan can be played as a light social pastime, a hardcore match with high stakes and everything else in between. Others say that it is a game that reflects the current time of the world, with more trade and cooperation than conflict between countries.
The game has enjoyed several expansions since release, including Seafarers, Cities & Knights, Traders & Barbarians and Explorers & Pirates. Each of these expansions adds new mechanics that players can exploit or will have to navigate. Catan has evolved as time has gone on, even including spinoff products that include pop culture such as Star Trek and Game of Thrones editions.
When compared to more complex games like Risk, Catan is relatively easy to learn. The rules can be learned fairly quickly, and the goal to win is straightforward. Unlike games such as Monopoly, players don't get eliminated either, meaning you always have a chance to win. This makes it an ideal game for both relaxed family fun and dedicated game nights with friends.
Unlike other competitive strategy games, Catan is more centered around juggling cooperation with competition. It is based on a blend of strategy, resource management, trade deals and alliances, player choice and luck. It is also fairly interactive, allowing players to make certain choices before it's their turn. For any players hoping to win, you'll have to trade for the resources you need to improve your settlements and gain more points.
Those who love history have also found great fun with the addition of historical scenarios. This can range from reenacting the building of the Pyramids of Egypt, to the expansion of Alexander the Great's empire or the building of the Great Wall of China.
Catan has grown to become a major player in the multiplayer board game industry. Not only has it taken over family game night on tabletops, it has also taken over the gaming industry, with digital versions available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Catan's popularity continues to rise today and is now a bigger phenomenon than even its creators thought possible 25 years ago.