Catan Transforms for Its 30th Anniversary

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the board game Catan, and to celebrate, publisher KOSMOS is preparing a revamped edition of the game. The new edition promises updates to the rulebook, visual design, and materials used for components, while keeping the core gameplay unchanged.

The rulebook will include more images and illustrations with examples to make it more user-friendly. The component design will be streamlined for a "cleaner" look, ensuring nothing distracts from the gaming experience. Additionally, the game box will feature eco-friendly card inserts and holders. The visual updates will include redesigned hex tiles and new illustrations on development cards. Quentin Regnes and Erik Hibbeler are responsible for the new artwork.

According to Benjamin Teuber, managing director and developer, the goal of the new edition was to enhance the overall game experience without altering the mechanics. However, everything else, from the packaging to the graphics and rules, has been reimagined.

It’s also noted that over 45 million copies of Catan have been sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. After the release of the updated base game, expansions will also be reissued with updated rules, graphics, and components. This includes reprints of all expansions: Cities & Knights, Traders & Barbarians, Seafarers, and Explorers & Pirates.

Interestingly, the Explorers & Pirates expansion is currently in short supply, so fans will likely be thrilled to see it widely available again