Netflix acquires global rights to “CATAN”

Netflix has announced that it has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to develop projects based on CATAN, the iconic board game created by Klaus Teuber. The platform will explore a variety of content formats, including live-action and animated films and series, as well as scripted, unscripted productions and video games.

This projects will be overseen by Darren Kyman of Asmodee, Pete Fenlon of Catan Studio, and brothers Guido and Benjamin Teuber, with the participation of Roy Lee from Vertigo Entertainment. The stories will be inspired by the core mechanics of the game: surviving on a fictional island through trading, building, and expanding settlements.

Jinny Howe, Head of Scripted Series at Netflix US and Canada, noted that those who have played CATAN are familiar with the game’s strategic intensity, which offers numerous opportunities for dramatic storytelling. She added that the team is excited to bring this world to series, films, animation, and video games, appealing both to long-time fans and new audiences.

Thomas Koegler, CEO of Asmodee, highlighted the cultural significance of CATAN. He stated that millions of people have enjoyed the game since its creation, and it continues to serve as a gateway to the modern world of board gaming. He also expressed his satisfaction at being able to expand its reach and continue the collaboration with Netflix.

The creators’ vision

Benjamin and Guido Teuber recalled that their father, Klaus Teuber, imagined a world where people would come together to trade, build, and settle collectively. They noted that the collaboration with Netflix represents an exciting new chapter that will take CATAN beyond the tabletop and onto the global storytelling stage.

With production already underway, fans of the game and lovers of audiovisual storytelling can expect adaptations that preserve the strategic and social essence that has made CATAN a worldwide phenomenon for more than 30 years.