CATAN World Explorers Merges Tabletop and AR

Published: November 22, 2019 12:30 PM /

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CATAN World Explorers cover

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, I wish I could go out and play a Settlers of Catan game in the style of Pokemon GO?" No? Yeah, me neither, but apparently that's a thing now, and I have no idea what's happening anymore.

It may perhaps be best to start by explaining what Settlers of Catan is. The short version is that it's effectively the German version of Monopoly, at least in terms of popularity. The short and cynical version is that it's a Eurogame that destroys friendships.

In Settlers of Catan, 2–6 players are charged with building their own communities of villages and cities. You'll collect Brick, Lumber, Grain, Ore, and Wool depending on where you've placed your settlements and then use those resources to build roads and expand your lands. As time goes on, you'll also have to fend off robbers, thieving players, and disastrous random events.

It's a pretty fun game, and now that style of gameplay is somehow going to be transformed into an augmented-reality game.

CATAN World Explorers phones

CATAN World Explorers Transforms The World

For now, all we know about CATAN World Explorers is contained on the game's official website.

Apparently, it's going to use a Pokemon GO-style system to transform the world into a series of resource points where you can gather up the materials you need to build settlements and cities. Some resources will be more abundant in areas that others, just like the tabletop game — you'll have to trade with others to get everything you need.

One of the more curious things is a sort of seasonal competitive model. Settlers of Catan, after all, is a competitive tabletop game, and the solution the developers have come up with is the idea of "seasons". You'll team up with friends and do the usual Catan stuff — collect resources, expand your roads, and build settlements. The seasonal champion will earn rewards that will follow them through into the next season!

CATAN World Explorers seems like a neat idea, but (as always) its success will come down to the execution. Color me intrigued! You can find out what it's like for yourself at some point in the future by pre-registering on the game's official website.

What do you think CATAN: World Explorers will be like? Will you or anyone you know have their lives utterly ruined by this game? Let us know in the comments below!

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


A photograph of TechRaptor Senior Writer Robert N. Adams.
| Senior Writer

One of my earliest memories is playing Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System. I've had a controller in my hand since I was 4 and I… More about Robert N