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#History
8 pieces on this topic. Browse the full Almanac →
Industry
The Catan Economy: 40 Million Copies and What It Means
Catan has sold over 40 million copies. The business behind that number is more interesting than the number itself.
Industry
The Spiel des Jahres Effect: How One Award Changed Catan's Trajectory
Catan would not be Catan without the Spiel des Jahres. The award is the single most important event in the game's history.
Industry
The History of Catan: From 1995 to 2026
Catan turned 30 last year. Here's the full arc — design lineage, distribution wars, the Spiel des Jahres effect, and what the 2025 brand refresh actually changed.
Industry
Catan vs Settlers of Catan: Why the Name Changed and What It Means
You'll see both names on the shelf. Here's what actually changed in 2015, what the 2025 reprint cycle added, and which edition you should buy.
Industry
Why Catan Is the Most-Played Modern Board Game
45 million copies sold. Translations in 40+ languages. Catan didn't just sell well — it rewrote what "popular board game" means.
Industry
Klaus Teuber: The Designer Who Invented the Modern Board Game Industry
A dental technician designed the most-played board game on Earth. Klaus Teuber, who died in 2023, is the reason the modern hobby industry exists.
Industry
The Catan World Championship: A Complete History
The Catan World Championship has run biennially since 2002. Twenty years of national qualifiers, finals, and a meta that has visibly evolved. Here's the history.
Industry
A Brief History of Catan Video Games
Catan has had five major digital adaptations across two decades. Most are dead. The two still running define online Catan in 2026.