Board games have existed for centuries, far longer than one might imagine. The first game was discovered in Egypt, Hieroglyphics associated with the game date back to around 3100 B.C.
Engaging people throughout the centuries, games capture people’s attention and creativity. Building, creating and playing are concepts within board games that appeal to many, bringing people together and developing relationships along the way.
Whether it be a game of skill, strategy or just plain luck, board games provide many opportunities and typically appeal to everyone in some regard.
“Settlers of Catan,” a strategic board game involving the collection of resources and the building of settlements, has appealed to a certain group on AU’s campus so much that they have created an interest club solely for the purpose of playing the game.
The interest club is cleverly called “Club CAUtan.”
Founded by juniors Jordan Baker, Dave Bailey, Wes Davidson, Dallas Harris and Colton Cantrell, the club began as a result of the love for the game and the appreciation for the community it brought.
“The club started with an idea that we all loved to play Catan and we wanted to spread the love to the rest of the campus,” said Baker. “We really think it’s a fun game and a fun way to meet new people.”
Club CAUtan has officers that oversee the club, and they call themselves the “high order.” Bailey is president, Baker is vice president, Davidson is chaplain, Harris is chief of finance and Cantrell is rules manager.
“Since I was one of the co-founders of Club CAUtan, I was given the privilege to review the rules and make sure every game runs as smoothly as possible and is played the same way,” says Cantrell.
Though the rules stay the same, Catan is a different game every time you set it up.
“It is the ultimate strategy game that makes you think and makes you communicate with others,” says Baker. “It forces you to be creative and is just an overall fun game. I like it because, while there is some luck involved, it is mostly skill. It is not a luck-based game, it is a skill-based game.”
The skilled founders began their Catan journey together.
“It started as a bridge for us to hang out as a core group, so we collectively decided to build a club out of that community and friendship,” says Bailey. “Now we have extended it to the campus, and each week we hope to bring more people to learn the game and to relax and play.”
The club’s founders hope to remain focused on the people who come to their meetings.
“I think the club is based more around community than anything,” says Bailey. “In a way, it shows the intricacies of how people strategize to build upon their empire.”
The club’s mission statement reflects this desire, saying that “the goal of club is to build relationships through the means of playing the award-winning board game, Settlers of Catan, by teaching the game correctly in a fun, friendly environment.”
The interest club is open to those who are interested in Catan and a laid-back community. The journey of Club CAUtan can be experienced every other Sunday at 8 p.m. on the top floor of the library. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.