In The Settlers of Catan, players assume the role of immigrants to the newly discovered island of Catan. By trading ore, timber, wheat, wool, and bricks, they attempt to extend and upgrade their settlements to earn the 10 victory points needed to win. The board consists of a hexagonal island of 19 land tiles — which are hexagons themselves — surrounded by 18 water tiles. Every time the game is played, the tiles can be arranged in different order to change the strategic environment. Each land tile represents an area rich in a given resource type. Players establish settlements at the junction of land tiles in order to draw on the surrounding resources, which they can spend on new settlements, roads, soldiers, and more. Controlling a seaport tile gives a player the ability to convert plentiful resources into scarce ones without having to trade with other players.

With a quick learning time, dynamic board with near-unlimited strategy potential, and a social trading element, The Settlers of Catan is a lively interactive game that has enjoyed worldwide popularity and garnered many awards, including the prestigious 1996 Origins Award and the 1995 Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year).

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