How a 1993 experiment in economic simulation became a global city-building gaming phenomenon
In short: Created by Volker Wertich, The Settlers series transformed the god game genre by replacing abstract resource generation with complex, player-managed supply chains. Over three decades, the franchise has evolved through diverse mechanics, selling over 10 million units worldwide and proving that economic micromanagement can be as compelling as military conquest.
The Settlers series began in 1993 with a vision from Volker Wertich, who initially aimed to build a god game before pivoting toward a rigorous simulation of real-world economics. Unlike contemporary titles that provided raw materials automatically, Wertich’s design forced players to construct and maintain every link in a production chain. This required immense technical effort; Wertich spent a year writing 70,000 lines of code before graphics were even considered, aiming to teach the computer how to handle supply and demand autonomously once the player established the infrastructure.
Gameplay across the series balances city-building with real-time strategy, though the emphasis shifts between titles. In the early games, such as the original and The Settlers II, players relied on road networks and flag-based transport hubs to move goods. By The Settlers III, this requirement was removed, allowing settlers to navigate freely. Later entries like Heritage of Kings moved toward combat-heavy real-time strategy, while The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom returned to complex economic micromanagement, offering players distinct paths to victory through military, technological, or trade-based expansion.
The franchise has seen significant evolution in how it handles its titular units. In most titles, settlers are automatically generated and managed by AI, with the player issuing broad objectives. Heritage of Kings stands as a notable exception, allowing direct control over serfs for specific tasks like scouting or resource extraction. Despite mixed critical reception—ranging from the acclaim of The Settlers II to the condemnation of The Settlers DS—the series remains a staple of European gaming, having secured multiple 'Best Game' awards at the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis.
The series' history is marked by ambitious projects and pivots. The Settlers: Kingdoms of Anteria was cancelled in 2014 following negative beta feedback, only to be repurposed as an unrelated action RPG. Similarly, a long-gestating reboot eventually arrived in 2023 as The Settlers: New Allies, marking the first time the series embraced a multi-platform release across PC and consoles. Today, the franchise stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of simulating the intricate, interconnected systems that underpin a thriving digital civilization.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Settlers
- Also: Wikidata — The Settlers · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — The Settlers · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-the-settlers.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
