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Settlers of New Catan (a.k.a. New Catan) is a boardgame based on the popular award-winning game
Settlers of Catan designed by Klaus Teuber. New Catan is inspired
by the universe created by this designer in another game, Starfarers
of Catan.
Each player in the game takes the role of the leader of a group of human
settlers on the first "Catanian colony"
in space, called New Catan, approximately 600 years
into the future. Apart from building settlements and cities on this new
planet, she must also forge friendly relations with alien races that have
established outposts there. If she succeeds, she is rewarded with valuable
alien benefits that will help her win the game. The planet is also cursed by
space pirates disguised as a robber and an infiltrator.
New Catan is free and web-published,
which implies that all components that are specific for this game can be
downloaded on this website. In addition, a copy of the official game Settlers
of Catan is required. It can be purchased in most
game stores and is available in three different versions: The European old
version (which is still sold in many game stores in Europe); the European new version (2003), and;
the American version. The European versions are produced by Kosmos Verlag and the American
version is produced by Mayfair Inc. Any of these versions can be used
with New Catan.
In comparison to the original game of
Settlers of Catan, New Catan
has more strategic and tactical elements. This makes it more suitable for
play by "gamers" than by causal/ family players. New Catan is easier to play for those who have already played
the original game at least once or a few times, although this is not a
requirement. Advanced players should also consider playing New Catan with one or a few of the so called modules. A few
such modules have already been published and more are being developed. Each
of these modules introduces new elements that are unique to the theme and
design of the game New Catan and that distinguishes
this game from the original game.
A typical game takes between 75 and 100 minutes to play, although the actual
time varies considerably depending on the number of players, the resource
configuration on the game board and, most importantly, the time spent by
players thinking about their moves in addition to the minimum time required
for trading and building.
If you have enjoyed playing Settlers of Catan
and/or look for a fast-paced game with considerable strategy and different
configurations for each play, you may find New Catan
a good game for you. You might even become one of those around the world who
have enjoyed playing it over and over again.
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