Settlers of Catan at 30!

 If you have been exposed to board games published from the mid-nineties onwards, I am sure you will have heard of the game called Settlers of Catan or Catan in short. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary since its first publication and since that fateful year, it has become one of the most iconic and influential board games of the modern board game era. Designed by the late German game designer Klaus Teuber, Catan was first published in 1995 and has since gone on to sell over 22 million copies in 30 languages worldwide, making it a true phenomenon in the world of modern tabletop gaming.

 

Catan is a fairly easy game to teach, the turns simple and the rules relatively straightforward for the casual player. In the game, players take on the role of settlers competing to build the most prosperous civilisation on the fictional island of Catan. By collecting and trading resources such as lumber, brick, wool, grain, and stone, players construct roads, settlements, and cities, with the ultimate goal of being the first to reach 10 victory points. Teuber's masterful design combines elements of resource management, strategic planning, and player interaction, creating a cohesive  gameplay experience.

 

One of the key factors behind Catan's lasting success is its ability to appeal to a wide range of players, from casual gamers to hardcore enthusiasts. The game's elegant ruleset and intuitive mechanics make it fairly easy to learn, while its depth and replayability ensure that it remains engaging even after multiple playthroughs.

 

Since its first release, Catan has undergone a remarkable evolution, with a wide range of expansions and spin-offs that have expanded the game's scope and added new layers of complexity. One of the earliest and most popular expansions is Seafarers (1997), which introduced ships and exploration, allowing players to venture beyond the confines of the island. The expansion added a new dimension to the game, encouraging players to think strategically about their maritime ventures and the potential rewards and risks involved.

 

Another significant expansion was Cities & Knights (1999), which introduced a new set of development cards and the concept of city improvements. Players had to now balance their efforts between building settlements and cities and defending their civilisation against the threat of barbarian attacks. The expansion has become a fan favourite, praised for its ability to add new challenges and decision points to the game without compromising its core mechanics.

 

In total, there are now over 30 different versions and extensions of the Catan game, each offering a different take on the original formula. From the sci-fi-themed “Catan: Starfarers” to the cooperative variant “Catan: Explorers & Pirates”, the game's adaptability and versatility have allowed it to remain relevant and engaging in an ever-evolving gaming landscape.

 

While Catan is an excellent game, it does have a couple of minor drawbacks, the first is during setup. Arranging the hexagonal tiles within the provided border can be a bit fiddly. Players have the option to place the "desert" tile in the centre or randomly on the map, which could impact the spatial arrangement and distances between land types, potentially affecting gameplay. Additionally, randomly placing the value tokens on the map hexes makes it challenging to predict which resources will be produced more frequently, as certain number clusters may emerge, skewing resource distribution.

 

Another notable drawback of the game I feel lies in its negotiation dynamics. The rules of Catan promote a bartering system that, in theory, enables players to acquire resources they might struggle to produce independently. While this concept is appealing, effectively executing a successful barter can be challenging and largely relies on the willingness of all participants to engage in negotiations.

 

The crux of the issue is that players involved in resource negotiations are often hesitant to trade away goods that could provide a significant advantage to their opponents. Conversely, abstaining from bartering altogether can hinder a player's ability to reach the game's objective of scoring 10 points. Although refusing to engage in bartering is a possible strategy, it is generally not advisable for long-term success.

 

No game, regardless of its brilliance, can thrive without its supporters and enthusiasts. The widespread appeal of Catan has led to the growth of vibrant communities and annual tournaments. The inaugural Catan World Championship took place in Essen, Germany, in 2002, and this event has been held nearly every year or biennially, alternating between Germany and the United States. Notably, one of the most recent Catan tournaments occurred in Malta in 2022, featuring 87 competitors from 48 countries vying for the championship title. On that occasion, Hamish Dean from New Zealand emerged victorious. The next international competition is scheduled to be the 2025 Catan World Championship, with the date and location yet to be announced as of this writing.

 

These tournaments have become a hub for Catan enthusiasts, providing a platform for players to showcase their skills, connect with like-minded individuals, and immerse themselves in the game's rich lore. The competitive scene has also given rise to a wealth of strategy guides, online resources, and player communities, further enhancing the game's depth and longevity.

 

In all respects, Catan has become a staple of what we can define as the modern board game renaissance, introducing many players to the "Eurogame" genre that emphasises strategy, resource management, point scoring and player interaction over direct conflict. The game's influence can be seen in the proliferation of other civilisation-building and exploration-themed board games, such as 7 Wonders and Carcassonne, which have drawn inspiration from Catan's innovative mechanics and thematic elements.

 

Catan's impact on the gaming world extends far beyond its immediate success as a board game. The game's unique blend of strategy, luck, and social interaction has made it a favourite among educators, who have recognised its potential as a tool for teaching critical thinking, negotiation skills, and resource management.

 

The game's cultural influence has also extended into other media, with the publication of a novel based on the Catan universe in 2003. The Settlers of Catan, written by Rebecca Gablé, further expanded the game's narrative and thematic elements, introducing readers to the rich fictional history and mythology of the island of Catan. The novel's success has led to the development of additional literary works set in the Catan universe, including short stories and anthologies.

 

In addition to its literary adaptations, Catan has also made the leap to digital, with a range of video game adaptations and online platforms that allow players to compete against opponents from around the world. These digital versions have helped to introduce the game to a new generation of players and have further expanded its reach and popularity.

 

 

One of the most exciting developments in the world of Catan is the publication of a new adaptation of the game called “Catan: New Energies”   , which brings the classic gameplay to a new generation of players. The new edition encourages players to navigate the complexities of energy production and its environmental impacts in a 21st-century setting.

 

In this newest edition, players must generate energy to expand their settlements. They can choose between constructing fossil fuel power plants, which promote rapid growth but increase pollution, or renewable energy plants, which are cleaner but result in slower expansion. This duality creates a strategic tension, as players balance growth against environmental consequences. Excessive pollution can lead to catastrophic events that affect all players, emphasising the interconnectedness of their choices.

 

The game retains the core mechanics of resource gathering and building from the original Catan but introduces new elements such as Power Plants, a Global Footprint track as well as Environmental Events. All three elements address the modern concern with generating sufficient energy to foster growth while curbing global pollution levels. The Global footprint track allows players to monitor collective pollution generated by all players while the environmental events force players to face challenges such as floods or air pollution which could in turn hinder resource production and expansion efforts.

 

As was the case with the original game, New Energies requires players to think critically about their resource management and the long-term effects of their energy choices. The game encourages discussions about climate change and sustainability, making it not just a competitive experience but also a platform for dialogue on pressing global issues. The developers aimed to create a game that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking, reflecting real-world complexities

 

Catan: New Energies represents a bold and timely evolution for the Catan franchise, addressing the pressing global issues of energy and sustainability in a manner that is both engaging and thought-provoking. By inviting players to grapple with the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental preservation, the game encourages meaningful discussions and a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing our world today.

 

Yet no discussion of this exceptional game and all its spinoffs can be considered complete without a few words being spared on tactics and strategies to adopt if you would like to win at all. While the following pointers are extremely valid in my opinion, they are not by any means the only way to attain victory. There are other elements at play which do impact a game's outcome but along general lines the following can be considered good practice.

 

Resource management and production is significantly important in Catan.You should focus on maximising your resource production by placing settlements on the most valuable number combinations (e.g. 5/6/9 tiles). Land types and their distributions need to be taken into account whenever a new settlement or road is placed as this will significantly impact future resource production. You should also strive to maintain a balanced resource portfolio rather than specialising in one or two resources. While there is the possibility of bartering goods with other players or even the bank, relying excessively on barter could impact your chances when it comes to winning.

 

Also while you are not really expected to be a statistics guru,  the statistical probabilities of different number rolls to inform your placement and trading decisions can be very beneficial and should be factored into your decision making process,

 

The position of your settlements is also significant. When possible try using  "triangle road" settlements (basically a settlement with three roads leading out from it) to create open expansion spaces on the board. You should also employ "blocking settlements" to limit your opponents' access to key resources, especially when in the 4th player position in turn order.

 

Regardless you will always need your tactics based on the specific board layout (outer desert, second ring desert, centre desert) as this will have a significant impact on your choices.

 

When it comes to tactics and bartering, I strongly recommend that you avoid overly aggressive or antagonistic tactics that could alienate your opponents. Build positive relationships and avoid making too many enemies at the table, as this can hurt your long-term trading prospects or even deprive you of a beneficial barter when you will need it most.

 

On the other hand modulate your aggression during play by strategically employing the threat of moving the robber to influence other players' actions, such as deterring them from building in certain areas or influencing them into more favourable trades. Such stratagems need to be used with caution as repeat use could upset the mood during a gaming session and make overall gameplay less enjoyable in my opinion.

 

In most cases I would also advocate the use of soft strategies when it comes to player interplay such as selectively disclosing or concealing information about your hand and future moves to keep your opponents guessing. Also, cultivate a reputation as a "fair trader" to open up more opportunities, but be willing to be more diplomatically ruthless when necessary if this would mean securing a win.

 

When it comes to bartering you need to learn to Identify when trading with a particular player might do more harm than good, especially if they are close to winning. Cutting off trade relations at the right moment can prevent an opponent from gaining a decisive advantage. In order to achieve this level of game awareness you will need to monitor the game state closely and be willing to sacrifice short-term gains (say build a road or settlement) if it means denying a leading player the resources they need to win.

 

Some may disagree on the matter of acquiring developments (aka Development Cards) or whether they can actually help you get over the finishing line. Yet I feel that you should consider acquiring these cards, as they can provide a significant strategic advantage. What you should be mindful however, is when to reveal or conceal your development cards in order to maximise their impact on the endgame.

 

As Catan keeps growing and changing, it's clear that it has become a well known, key title in modern board gaming. Starting out as a self-published game in 1995, it has become a worldwide sensation. Whether you're a long-time player or just starting out, I think that now is a great time to experience Catan and join the millions who enjoy its mix of strategy, luck, and social interaction.