Microsoft has optioned Klaus Tueber's Settlers of Catan board game, which is published in English by Mayfair Games, for the creation of the Catan Online Game.  The Catan Online Game will be available on Microsoft's Premium Game Service and will be accessible via both the MSN Zone and MSN Messenger.  There will be multi-player and single-player options, each with rich graphics and a sophisticated AI.  The Online Catan Game will also feature links to Mayfair's site as well as to other Catan-related sites.

Along with # 2 Carcassone, The Settlers of Catan is one of the prime examples of the new generation of sophisticated European board games which energized board games sales in the U.S. during 2003, to the point that ICv2 made European board games the 'Phenomenon of the Year' in our 2003 Game Awards.