Catan is the Xbox Live Arcade adaptation of Klaus Teuber’s iconic board game Settlers of Catan, created in collaboration with the original inventor. On the fictional island of Catan, the player takes on the role of a colonist modeled by famous leaders. Three to four players compete to control this unknown wilderness’s lucrative area and resources through strategy and commerce. AI opponent matches against human players through Xbox Live and ranked competitive play are among the game modes available. For these games, specific rules can be changed.
The game board is made up of nineteen hexagonal tiles that are randomly arranged. Each one represents a different resource. Players can win victory points by constructing roads, establishing settlements, or raising armies. The first person to ten points wins. The game is turn-based, using timers to keep the pace consistent. A flat, top-down overview or a 3D render depicts the playing surface. Although voice communication is available, sentiments can be transmitted through graphical emotions, influencing other players’ strategies or decisions.
