2010

The Teamwork Of Catan

Weaam Almuzain

3/14/2010
 I have played this game and enjoyed it. It is a game of intelligence and self
evaluation. It depends on how wise a player is and how good the strategy built is.
However, I decided to modify it in a way I think is more useful. I thought it would
be more interesting and helpful to use it in teaching teamwork and cooperation.
How? I will elaborate on that in the following paragraphs.

Guidelines
 Make teamwork matter.
 Goals to teach about teamwork.
 Modify the game to get closer to the ideas in mind.

Goals
Cooperation: in order for this game to succeed, it is vital for the team
members to cooperate with each other; whether it is taking a bullet for the team
or providing them with the necessary resources.

Negotiation: cooperation and negotiation come hand in hand in this

game; negotiation is an important factor for cooperation. When people argue,
they need to negotiate in order for them to coexist as a team.

Trading resources: cooperation can also exist outside of the team. Team
members can trade resources with other team members. It can also teach them
how to manage resources.
 Game changes

The Settlers of Catan The Teamwork of Catan

Robber Mayor: He evaluates the players by
either punishing or rewarding.
Resources in bank (brick, lumber, Resources:
wool, grain, and ore) Personal bank: (brick, lumber, wool,
grain, and ore)
Public bank: (school supplies and
medical supplies).
Victory Points Cooperation Points.
Development Cards ( Knights) Hospital Manager
School Principle.

Game rules and Description:

We have two teams. Each team consists of two players. Each team will build
an institute: a hospital and a school. The challenge will be who finishes first will
win. The players will build cities and roads but their main focus will be schools
and hospitals, unlike the settlers of Catan which focuses on settlements. In The
Team work of Catan, the terrain hexes are also randomly laid out.

The players can build their institutions by using the resource bank (and
cards). There is a public bank which can provide with the same resources as The
Settlers of Catan. In addition, we have a personal bank, which can provide with
more specific needs; such as: school supplies and medical supplies. Players can
trade resources; and since it is a game about team work, if a team is not able to
provide the right resources for trade, they can spare a team member to do a chore
for the other team in order to pay their debt. Moreover, similar to the Settlers of
Catan, development cards can be used. The developments cards will include two
things: a hospital manager and a school principle. Both men will provide help for
the team and will be, later on, included in the team.

In each turn, the dices are rolled and when the dice is a “7” instead of a
robber we will have a “Mayor”. The Mayor’s job is to evaluate the players and
their projects; he will either punish them for breaking the rules, or reward them
when a good job is done. The team players’ reward will be “cooperation” points
instead of victory points. However, when the team gets punished by the mayor,
they can use their development cards (School principle and Hospital manager) to
seek help. Consequently, the more team work is done, the more points will be
earned.

Game Design and Layout

The game layout consists of twenty terrain hexes, which are surrounded by
water hexes. The way the roads and settlements are distributed is similar to that
of the Settlers of Catan, except there will be more houses. Also, the institutions
that are built will be located in the center of each island. The buildings order will
begin from outside hexes towards the inside and the first team to build their
institution in the middle will be the winning team.
 Conclusion
In the end, this game is meant to give students a lesson in life. It will teach
them how to cooperate with each other and be productive in society. Also, it will
arm them with great negotiation skills, specifically by negotiating with the other
team to trade their service for resources. The goal of The Team work of Catan is
to develop the game; whether it is self development or strategy. Not to mention
the advantage of learning how to build a game and play it.