Catan: World Explorers to Bring the Board Game to AR
In its 24-year history, popular board game Settlers of Catan has seen many iterations, from junior versions to ones based on famous franchises. Last year saw Catan VR arrive for various headsets, allowing four players to battle it out online. Now it looks like the franchise will be getting the augmented reality (AR) treatment thanks to Niantic Labs with a title called Catan: World Explorers.
The videogame will combine the fundamental gameplay characteristics that have made Catan so popular alongside geo-location gaming used in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite or Pokemon GO. Catan: World Explorers won’t be constrained by physical board size, offering a massively multiplayer AR experience where players can harvest, trade, and build in the real-world. Cities and local landmarks will then be transformed into opportunities to collect resources and build settlements.
Classic Catan resources like Brick, Lumber, Grain, Ore, and Wool will all be available with the official site stating: “Some resources will be abundant in your region, while others you’ll have to trade for. You’ll bargain with entertaining in-game characters who are just as strategic as real-life ones. Wheat for sheep anyone? Please!?! Use your resources and a variety of development cards to transform humble settlements into booming metropolises!”
Strategy will still be key, teaming up with friends to build roads and expand those settlements all towards the goal of getting those 10 victory points. How will this work with a geo-location videogame? Players will be able to compete with their team both globally and locally, as well as with friends in personal custom matches. Achieve success and become a seasonal champion to unlock rewards for characters.
There are still a few details yet to be revealed regarding some of the gameplay elements and how they will work and be managed in a persistent online world. As Niantic Labs said to The Verge: “we’ll have more information to share on the title in 2020.”
For some AR gaming a bit sooner why not take a look at Five Night’s at Freddy’s AR: Special Delivery or Minecraft Earth. For further updates and announcements on Catan: World Explorers keep reading VRFocus.
https://www.vrfocus.com/2019/11/catan-world-explorers-to-bring-the-board-game-to-ar/
