How to Play CATAN Online Through catan.com

Updated

You can play CATAN online in two official ways linked from catan.com: CATAN Universe, the digital adaptation for smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac, and CATAN – New Energies on Board Game Arena, which runs in a conventional web browser. CATAN Universe lets you challenge players worldwide online or play against computer opponents, and you can add the Seafarers and Cities & Knights expansions with numerous scenarios, or play the two-player card game adaptation. If you want a browser-based option instead of installing an app, Board Game Arena is the route the site points to.

The two online options at a glance

Option Where you play What you get
CATAN Universe Smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac The original adaptation; online play against players worldwide or computer opponents; Seafarers and Cities & Knights expansions with scenarios; the 2-player card game adaptation
CATAN – New Energies Board Game Arena, via a conventional web browser A standalone game built on classic CATAN mechanics of harvesting, trading, and building

Playing CATAN Universe

CATAN Universe is described on catan.com as the original adaptation of CATAN, available on smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac. From there you can:

  • Challenge players worldwide online — match against other people rather than only the computer.
  • Play against computer opponents — useful if you want a game without waiting for other players.
  • Add expansions — Seafarers and Cities & Knights come with numerous scenarios.
  • Play the card game adaptation — a version designed for 2 players.

The site presents this through an "Explore CATAN Universe" link, so that is the entry point to look for when you want the digital version.

Playing CATAN – New Energies on Board Game Arena

CATAN – New Energies is a standalone game, not an expansion. Its setting: it's the 21st century and Catan is at a crossroads — the agrarian society of the island's Viking ancestors is long gone, and today's Catanians need energy to keep society moving and growing, while pollution is wreaking havoc on the island. The game is rooted in the classic CATAN mechanics of harvesting, trading, and building.

Board Game Arena offers easy access to a wide range of well-known board games through a conventional web browser, and catan.com states you can play CATAN – New Energies there now. This is the option to choose if you prefer not to install anything and just want to play in a browser.

What else the official site offers

Beyond online play, catan.com is the hub for the physical game and its wider ecosystem:

  • The CATAN Shop — find all CATAN games, expansions, merchandise, and accessories.
  • CATAN – On The Road — a recently available title where clever cards let you build your way to victory.
  • The CATAN newsletter — register to get news on game releases, exclusive merchandise, tournaments, events, and fan features.

For context on the game itself: since its 1995 release (then still called The Settlers of CATAN), it has become a modern classic available worldwide in over 40 languages, with over 40 million games sold. In its release year in Germany it won three independent awards — first place in the "Deutscher Spiele Preis," the "Essener Feder" award for best rules, and the German Game of the Year award.

Which should you pick?

  • Choose CATAN Universe if you want the classic CATAN experience on your device, with online multiplayer, computer opponents, and the option to add Seafarers and Cities & Knights.
  • Choose CATAN – New Energies on Board Game Arena if you want a browser-based game with a new energy-and-pollution theme layered onto familiar harvesting, trading, and building mechanics.
  • Choose the CATAN Shop if you're after physical games, expansions, or merchandise rather than digital play.