What CATAN Expansions and New Games Are Highlighted on catan.com?

Updated

catan.com highlights two expansions for the digital version of CATAN — Seafarers and Cities & Knights — alongside two newer standalone titles: CATAN – New Energies and CATAN – On The Road. The expansions add scenarios to the base game, while the two new titles are separate games with their own themes and mechanics. If you already own the base game and want more variety, the expansions are the natural next step; if you want a fresh experience with different rules, the standalone games are the better fit.

Expansions for the Base Game

According to the site, the digital adaptation of CATAN can be expanded with:

  • Seafarers — adds ships and exploration across water, with numerous scenarios
  • Cities & Knights — adds city development and knight mechanics, also with multiple scenarios

These expansions are described as part of the CATAN Universe, the platform for playing the original adaptation on smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac. You can challenge players worldwide online or play against computer opponents, and the expansions come with "numerous scenarios" so you can shape your own experience.

When to choose these: You already know the base game and want more depth without learning a completely new system. The expansions build directly on the harvesting, trading, and building mechanics you already know.

CATAN – New Energies

CATAN – New Energies is a brand new standalone game rooted in classic CATAN mechanics of harvesting, trading, and building. Its theme shifts the island into the 21st century: the agrarian society of the island's Viking ancestors is gone, and today's Catanians need energy to keep society growing — but pollution is damaging the island.

The game is also available to play online through Board Game Arena, which offers access via a conventional web browser.

When to choose this: You want a CATAN-style game with a modern environmental theme and a different strategic layer, rather than another expansion to the base game.

CATAN – On The Road

CATAN – On The Road is a newer title where clever cards let you build your way to victory. The site describes the island of Catan as yours to explore in this version. It's presented as a distinct product rather than an expansion.

When to choose this: You want a card-driven take on building and exploration, rather than the full board setup.

How to Decide

If you want… Look at…
More scenarios for the game you already play Seafarers, Cities & Knights
A standalone game with an energy/pollution theme CATAN – New Energies
A card-based building game CATAN – On The Road
To play online in a browser CATAN – New Energies on Board Game Arena
To play on phone, tablet, PC, or Mac CATAN Universe (base game + expansions)

A Note on Scope

The site also points to the CATAN Shop for games, expansions, merchandise, and accessories, and to a newsletter for news, game releases, exclusive merchandise, tournaments, events, and fan features. Since its 1995 release (originally as The Settlers of CATAN), the game has sold over 40 million copies and is available in more than 40 languages — which is why the range of expansions and standalone titles keeps growing. For current availability and pricing of any specific title, check the CATAN Shop directly, as the homepage does not list prices.