CATAN Announces New 6th Edition Board Game

CATAN is the game that launched a thousand ships – and by that we mean that it was the first game for many fledgling board gamers, that drew them into the tabletop hobby. The multiplayer game of gaining resources to build constructions to earn points, whilst trading and making strategic decisions has had a wealth of additional expansions and versions, and the 6th Edition promises yet more.  

Differences Between 5th & 6th Edition CATAN

CATAN's sixth edition promises the same mechanics, but the physical presentation of the board game is refined. That means that the rule book will now be more straightforward, with additional imagery and graphical examples to make it more welcoming. The components involved will have a cleaner design, with brand new art and updated packaging. It will include eco-friendly box trays and organised card holders.

“In designing CATAN’s sixth edition, our goal was to enhance many parts of the player experience without redefining the game play – redesigning our packaging, evolving the game’s art across components, focusing on functionality, and even reimagining the rulebook to simplify the learning component of picking up the game for the first time,” said Benjamin Teuber, managing director and game designer at CATAN GmbH and son of the original game's designer, Klaus Teuber. “It was of utmost importance to us to of course maintain the brilliant and still contemporary game mechanics that our father created 30 years ago, while giving the game a fresh look and updating it to today's standards. We hope to both continue to serve our robust community while welcoming new members to the fold."

“CATAN has always been a game about thinking differently, challenging oneself, and bringing people together,” said Guido Teuber, CEO of CATAN GmbH. “With this next iteration of the game, we are modernizing the CATAN brand for today’s players, opening the doors to reach new audiences, and breaking down barriers to get people who may have never played a board game before excited about CATAN. As a brand, this evolution showcases our continued commitment to leading the way in the board game industry and providing the best player experience possible to our community.”

Should you buy CATAN?

If you already own CATAN, you may not need to replace it with a copy of the 6th Edition version. However, those new to playing games or new to playing CATAN will likely find an improved experience with more welcoming art and explanations.