Catan mania

US: Silicon Valley in California is known as the home of technology companies and internet start-ups. But a growing  trend there has nothing to do with technology. It brings together players of a popular board game created in Germany.

Siedler von Catan, made by Klaus Teuber, began selling in Germany in 1995. The game centres around gathering natural resources such as wood,iron ore, wool or brick, needed to build and maintain island settlements. Silicon Valley fans of the English-language version of the game, Settlers of Catan, meet regularly in private homes and company canteens for friendly games or even tournaments.

The game is being used to help break the ice at meetings, as well as to sharpen business skills. Some players compare it to golf for business networking and relaxation. "None of us has time for 18 holes of golf, but we can handle a pizza and a board game," says Mark Pincus, CEO of Zynga Game Network.

Creators of online games and social-networking sites are among the live-action Settlers crowd. Reid Hoffman, founder of LInkedIn, says the game closely models entrepreneurial strategy, as it presents a mix of luck, timing and stategic planning. Players "form an incredible bond", he says. 

Settlers of Catan is being used to break the ice at meetings, as well as to sharpen business skills.

This bond can be hard to overcome for non-players, however. Ben Elowitz, who started online jewellery store Blue Nile, says he's tried to get a local Settlers group to teach him the game, but has been turned down. "I'm definitely on the outside looking in," Elowitz told The Wall Street Journal.