How the Creators of a Classic Board Game Redesigned It to Tackle Climate Change

For many people, games serve as an escape into a world filled with fun and fantasy.

Hence, it may come as a surprise that the latest edition of a beloved board game dives into a timely and somewhat somber issue: the climate crisis.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, “Catan,” a game about collecting and utilizing resources such as bricks and lumber to build and expand settlements in a fictional world, has undergone a significant transformation.

While the company has released numerous versions and expansions over the years, selling more than 45 million copies worldwide, its latest edition, “Catan: New Energies,” represents one of the game’s most substantial departures so far.

A Contemporary Twist on a Classic Game

Unlike the traditional version set in pre-industrial times, “Catan: New Energies” places players in the 21st century.

Modern elements such as power plants and pollution now play a significant role in the gameplay.

This shift aligns with the theme of rapid human expansion and its subsequent effects on the environment.

Industrialization, after all, is one of the root causes of the current climate crisis.

You might initially think a game centered on the climate crisis would be neither fun nor deeply researched.

However, the developers of “New Energies” have skillfully balanced joyful play with rigorous environmental science.

Interestingly, they are not the first to do so—many other games have also begun tackling this pressing issue.

Climate Change: A Growing Theme in Games

As climate change becomes ever more present in news and cultural conversations, it is appearing in an increasing number of games.

For example, the popular empire-building video game “Civilization 6” released an expansion titled “Gathering Storm” in 2019, which focuses heavily on climate impacts.

Players’ actions, such as burning coal, lead to repercussions like rising sea levels and more frequent natural disasters, ultimately affecting gameplay.

Similarly, “Terra Nil,” a world-building strategy game released in 2023, tasks players with transforming a barren wasteland into an inviting paradise through the use of technology such as wind turbines and toxin scrubbers.

Notably, this release coincided with a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which warned of a narrow window to secure a sustainable future for all.

“Climate change remains an escalating challenge,” Rachel Kowert, a games research psychologist, emphasizes.

According to Kowert, it makes sense for popular media to reflect these challenges, as “games reflect culture.”

Adding elements of the climate crisis to games can also make the topic more accessible.

“It adds that element of playfulness and fun, making it a social activity,” she explains.

“Not many people will sit down and read documents on climate change, but people love Catan.”

Game Mechanics: Rewarding Renewable Energy

In “New Energies,” the basic gameplay remains the same: players gather resources to build settlements.

However, additional mechanics introduce elements related to the climate crisis.

Now, players must build either fossil fuel or renewable power plants, each with its own set of consequences.

For instance, building a fossil fuel power plant increases greenhouse gas levels in the game, indicated by a marker on the board.

This increase in greenhouse gases leads to potential climate-related events such as flooding or air pollution, which can obstruct resource production and hinder players’ success.

On the other hand, renewable power plants offer bonuses and reduce the global carbon footprint within the game.

Adding these climate elements certainly makes the game more complex, but it also mirrors the complexities of our world.

Even experts struggle to agree on the best solutions to mitigate climate change.

Rooted in Environmental Science

“Catan: New Energies,” released on June 14, 2023, had actually been in development since 2011.

The idea started with a scenario called “Oil Springs,” based on managing oil resources, pitched by Erik Assadourian, a researcher at the Worldwatch Institute.

In “Oil Springs,” players could utilize oil to expand rapidly, but at the risk of causing flooding.

“In essence, Catan embodies a narrative of expansion,” Assadourian explains.

“But failing to acknowledge the boundaries of growth presents an issue.”

This scenario, coupled with the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) 2050 climate solutions report, inspired a version of Catan that deals with electricity as a resource.

When the game’s development began, renewable energy sources included wind, water, and solar.

This complexity initially shelved the project until the Covid-19 pandemic afforded Benjamin Teuber, game designer and Managing Director at Catan GmbH, and his father, Klaus Teuber (the late creator of Catan), more free time.

They revisited and refined the game, incorporating solutions to the initial gameplay problems.

To ensure the game’s climate science remained accurate, Assadourian rejoined the project as a consultant in 2022.

He also contributed an almanac about climate at the back of the rulebook, enriching the game’s thematic background.

“Within the constraints of game mechanics, there’s a limit to what you can achieve,” Assadourian explained to CNN.

“In reality, no renewable energy facility would ever have a negative impact on pollution.”

Sustainable Materials and Design Process

Even the physical materials used in “New Energies” were chosen with climate considerations in mind.

“When creating a physical consumer product, it’s impossible to have no impact. But we focused on reducing the environmental footprint,” says Kelli Schmitz, the Director of Brand Development at Catan Studio.

The game’s English printing is produced in the United States, using sustainable sources like cardboard and wood.

Before finalizing “New Energies” in December 2022, outside playtesters were engaged to provide feedback.

After all, the game wouldn’t work if it was too complex or not enjoyable.

Inspiring Action Through Gameplay

The developers intended to spark philosophical discussions and reflections on the real-world issue by integrating climate elements into the gameplay.

Teuber explains that the more genuine it feels, the more seriously people will discuss it.

Playtesters often found themselves grappling with moral dilemmas, reflecting on whether their in-game actions aligned with their values.

“The fun thing about games is there’s enough detachment to engage with big, scary concepts,” says Kowert.

“And maybe, at the end of it, come out with a greater understanding of what you can do in real life.”

If players finish the game engaging in discussions about climate and making small changes, the game will have achieved its goal.

“The game itself won’t change the world,” Teuber notes, “but it might empower you to think, ‘Oh, I maybe have more power to make things change.’”

Conclusion

The redesign of Catan into “New Energies” signifies an important step in integrating pressing real-world issues into the realm of gaming.

By merging the fun and strategic elements of board games with the sobering realities of climate science, the creators have succeeded in creating both an entertaining and thought-provokingexperience.

It serves as both a reflection of our current challenges and a potential roadmap for future actions.