Netflix And Asmodee Partnering Up For Catan Adaptation

Streaming giant Netflix and board gaming manufacturer Asmodee have announced a partnership that will see the world of Catan brought to screens, with the streamer ready to produce scripted and unscripted shows based on the gateway board game that has sold tens of millions of copies to date.

A Gateway Game

Asmodee CEO, Thomas Koegler, said: “Millions of people [have been] enjoying Catan since it was created, and for many it remains a gateway to modern board gaming. I’m thrilled to see the game expanding to a larger audience who will discover the richness of its universe. I find it exciting for the future of the brand,”

Although there’s no definitive list, Catan is widely considered a gateway to modern board games. It, along with titles like Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, and Splendor are easy to learn and teach some of the basic mechanics used in today’s games. Its approachability has helped Catan sell nearly 50 million copies globally and has seen a host of variants and expansions.

The Netflix Board Gaming Love Affair

Catan isn’t the first Netflix title with a link to Asmodee. Adult party card game, Exploding Kittens, was adapted as an animated cartoon by Exploding Kittens Inc., a company that Asmodee has an active investment in. The series launched to mixed reviews in July 2024.

Away from Asmodee, but still firmly in the board gaming genre, the streaming giant also recently announced a social competition Cluedo-based show. And, having struck a deal with Hasbro to buy the rights to Monopoly, viewers can expect a similar release for the family game everybody loves to hate. Showing an apparent desire for board game adaptations, Monopoly is also getting its own movie, with Margot Robbie set to star.

Koegler went on to say: “It’s also a testament that board gaming is truly part of pop culture and a popular form of entertainment in everyone’s homes, and I’m delighted to continue Asmodee’s relationship with Netflix.”

Although no specific details have been published, including expected release dates, Netflix’s head of Scripted Series, US and Canada, Jinny Howe, said of the partnership: “Anyone who has played Catan knows the intense strategy and negotiation at the core of the game has endless opportunities for some serious drama.

“We knew landing this deal would be as game-changing as a well-placed settlement, so we decided to pool our resources across series, features, animation, and games and show Asmodee the full power of Netflix when we work together. Hardcore ‘Settlers’ are going to lose their minds, and new fans will finally learn just how important a sheep trade can be.”