Catan Settles In As Xbox Favorite

Skokie, IL – Making the leap from board game to video game, Catan GmbH is making the original version of its international mega-hit, The Settlers of Catan®, available on the Xbox 360™, as part of a deal with Microsoft Corporation.

The new “Catan” Xbox LIVE® Arcade game was developed and published by Big Huge Games, Inc. as part of the licensing agreement between Microsoft and Catan GmbH.

The Settlers of Catan®, a critically acclaimed, board game that has sold over 13 million copies worldwide, is one of the most popular games in the world. The English language version of The Settlers of Catan®, published by Mayfair Games, is currently developing a major following of players in mainstream America.

Guido Teuber, PR Director for Mayfair and Managing Director of Catan GmbH, explained, “The Settlers of Catan® started in Germany where my father, Klaus Teuber, designed the board game. It became a bestseller throughout Europe right away, and now it is really catching on in North America. We are really excited to have the new Xbox version so that fans of different platforms can experience the fun and competitive game play of Catan.”

The new “Catan” game paid strict attention to the detail and fundamentals that has makes the board game an international phenomenon. Complete with an all-new 3-D "Living World" board, and some of the most advanced graphics ever created, Consulting closely with Teuber, developers from Big Huge Games, created Catan to be one of the most visually-stunning and accurately depicted games to ever make the leap to the electronic video game play.

Catan was released on Xbox in May, and became an instant hit for downloads and ranking reviews on the Xbox website. Forums of gamers on Xbox.com, and other consumer based video game review sites have praised the game for its quality of look and challenging game play elements.

About Xbox
Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE online gaming network, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a catalog of more than 160 high-definition games and is available in 37 countries. Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects millions of members across 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV shows and movies in the United States as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games.

About Mayfair Games:
The Mayfair Games® brand encompasses a wide array of great board games, card games, dice games, and party games, including one of the world’s best selling game brands of all-time, The Settlers of Catan®. The Mayfair catalog of over 150 products offers a variety of fun and usually educational games that are full of intrigue, interaction, and replay value. In addition to being the world’s leading train game manufacturer, Mayfair publishes games under the daVinci, Amigo, Phalanx, and Catan brand categories. The company provides complete diversity in its products to satisfy all game enthusiasts. The topics of Mayfair games range from kid-friendly animals and the Wild, Wild West to collecting rare specimens in the Amazon and saving citizens from the fall of Pompeii.