Over 5 million copies of THE SETTLERS have flown off the shelves in the past 13 years. A brief look through the history of one of the most successful computer games:

1993
"The Settlers" revolutionizes the construction gaming genre. The game, designed by Volker Wertich, is created the first time by Blue Byte for the Amiga console. It is a busy game right from the start, with the control of up to 64,000! Interestingly, the game can be controlled either by mouse or joystick.

1994
Almost exactly a year after the game came out for the Amiga, gamers are finally able to get settling on their PCs.

1996
"Veni, vidi, vici" is written on the packaging of "THE SETTLERS 2", and that says it all. The game, from the Blue Byte team led by Thomas Häuser, is still seen as a milestone in strategy gaming history. The legendary split screen mode kept Settlers fans glued to the screen in pairs. At the end of the year, a Mission CD comes out. "THE SETTLERS 2" is the top-selling item in the series.

1997
The first Gold Edition of the Settlers series becomes available. "THE SETTLERS 2" is issued as a version for the Apple Macintosh, the only part of the series to be released in this form, in time for Christmas.

1998
Volker Wertich returns with "THE SETTLERS 3". Without road building and with more direct control, the third generation is able to build on the sales successes of its predecessors. For the first time, it is also possible to build settlements online.

1999
"THE SETTLERS 3" is supplemented by a Mission CD and the add-on "Quest of the Amazons".

2000
The Gold Edition of "THE SETTLERS 3" appears. This classic is still selling today.

2001
"THE SETTLERS 4" appears in February and goes platinum in just a few months. The game was fully developed by Blue Byte under the leadership of Hans-Jürgen Brändle. In the same year, there is also a Mission CD and an add-on. "THE SETTLERS 4" has by now been translated into 18 languages including Japanese, Chinese and Hebrew.

2002
The Gold Edition of "THE SETTLERS 4" comes onto the market in spring, and the huge demand leads to the issue of another Mission CD in time for Christmas

2003
The series becomes ten years old and celebrates with an anniversary "Platinum Pack" of the entire series up to now in high-quality metal packaging. In the "Community Pack" at the end of the year, Blue Byte publishes some of the best letters from fans of "THE SETTLERS 4" - the fourth extension pack is a series record.

2004
"THE SETTLERS: HERITAGE OF KINGS" appears. Producer Benedikt Grindel's team - reinforced by Settlers veterans like Thomas Häuser ("THE SETTLERS 2") takes a step in the direction of RTS. "THE SETTLERS: HERITAGE OF KINGS" goes platinum in Germany in just a few months. 2005 Two add-ons are produced for "THE SETTLERS: HERITAGE OF KINGS", "Nebelreich" and "Legenden". The Gold version appears just before Christmas.

2006
Surprise! Fans of the legendary original of "THE SETTLERS 2" recieve a gift on the occasion of its 10th anniversary: The remake "SETTLERS 2: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION" puts the original gameplay on the screen in a new 3D look. Thomas Häuser, maker of the original "THE SETTLERS 2", is also on the remake team.

2007
The add-on "VIKINGS" also appears for the remake of "THE SETTLERS 2" in February. In April fans start building settlements on a video game console for the first time ever - and do it while on the move, on the Nintendo DS.

What's more, the best PC game in the series, THE SETTLERS - RISE OF AN EMPIRE appears in September. The future can begin.