Today, the game is available in more than 30 different languages, as well in several computer, video game console, smartphone and tablet formats. A jury of German game critics named Settlers of Catan German Family Game of the Year in 1995, and its popularity soon spread to the United States. He'd already conceived of one successful board game called Barbarossa, but it was the idea for an island adventure title that would rocket Klaus to international success. The time-sucking diversion is the brainchild of Klaus Teuber, who back in 1991 was a German dental technician with a passion for teeth and game design. There have also been a number of expansions released. First published in 1981 and still going strong with many versions including a classic, Pacific, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Guadalcanal and WW1. As of 2011, its worldwide sales have exceeded 25 million copies. Axis and Allies has been a favorite for history buffs of World War II that play hard with war themed strategy board games. In fact, given its worldwide popularity, Catan has become the epitome of German game mechanics that favor nonviolence, cooperation and invigorative thinking. Settlers of Catan is what board game enthusiasts call a German-style game. Players deal in five separate natural resources, and no one has reliable access to all of them. Yet the game design makes it impossible for anyone to win without some degree of cooperation. At the end of play, only one person will generate enough points to emerge victorious. It's just like the real world, except without all the endangered animals and vanishing natural habitats.Ĭompetition, however, does indeed lurk in Catan.

Instead, players spend the game exploiting the island's natural resources, building cities and diplomatically trading with one another. There are no elaborate props, and the goal isn't to ruthlessly annihilate your opponents. Three to four players assume the role of settlers seeking to dominate the fictional island of Catan. At first glance, Settlers of Catan (for ages 10 and up) may not seem very exhilarating.

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