On Saturday, 28 June, gaming newbies and enthusiasts gathered at the Blaauwberg Hotel to partake in the global Catan – Connect the World event.
The day was cold and overcast, and yet 60 of South Africa’s most enthusiastic players attended the local leg. As part of the global event to play Catan simultaneously, our representatives experienced the excitement of playing at the same time as people from 35 nations around the globe.
On an extended board made especially for the occasion, players had 30 seconds to make lightning-fast decisions. Everyone enjoyed game master and current South African champion Jacques van Zyl’s commentary as he carried the afternoon forward. There were people of all ages playing, the youngest was a ten-year-old girl and the oldest person was in their fifties. Proof that board games are fun for all generations. Stefan Roets, spokesperson for Solarpop, the event organisers, says: “Catan is one of those games that is easy to explain and play but hard to master, so you can always challenge yourself. It’s always a different game every time you play, because people have different styles of approaching things. There is that thrilling unknown factor – it’s the same game but it never plays out the same way.”
Rooted in curiosity and adventure, the board game Catan is all about harvesting, negotiating and growing fledgling settlements into thriving communities. Catan’s deep story is rooted in values, history, mystery and adventure. Guarding nature’s core secrets, it invites virtually limitless exploration.