You cant enjoy this game for free - it's that simple.


Do you want to play one of the expansion packs such as Cities and Knights, or Seafarers? You have to pay for each expansion pack.

Are you happy to just play the different scenarios in the original version? That's great, you can pay for that too.

Do you want to play multiplayer? You have to pay for that too.

Do you like cool avatars & costumes? Surprise - you have to pay for those too.

This game allows you to use a token called a "Sun" to play single player for free, on the most basic version of the original game with no expansion packs, once every 12 hours. But what if i want to play more than once every 12 hours you say - no problem! Just buy more "Suns"! That's right - this game is all about the micro-transactions. You buy in-game currency with real money, then use that currency to buy expansions, scenarios, multiplayer mode, outfits, avatars etc.


So why is Catan advertised as 'Free to Play"?

Because of a cheeky loop-hole, the developer can advertise a game as "Free" but still sell in-game currency for real money - and Steam don't make a cut when you buy the in-game currency like they would if this game was sold with expansions as DLC like most games. This way, by making the game practically unplayable you are forced to buy the in-game currency to unlock the full version, all without the Catan developers having to share their profit with Steam.

You don't mind paying for expansions because you buy games on Steam anyway, and you would happily have paid for Catan anyway (you probably own the board game anyway, right?) so its no big deal...except the cheeky pricks who made that game are basically just ripping off Steam who were good enough to host them. Now isn't that a bit rough?

That's all there is to know about Playing for Free. You can't play it for free (reasonably), and by paying for it via micro-transaction you are robbing Steam of their fair share.