These games are about generating income in some way and trying to be the player with the best finances at the end of the game. Economic games usually include some form of market system, which could be straight-up stock trading but could also include trading between players or buying and selling from a central market. Economic games encourage players to manage a system of production, distribution, trade and consumption of goods. The games usually simulate a market in some way.

In Catan (formerly The Settlers of Catan), players try to be the dominant force on the island of Catan by building settlements, cities, and roads. On each turn dice are rolled to determine what resources the island produces. Players build by spending resources (sheep, wheat, wood, brick and ore). The island is made up of randomly placed hexagonal tiles which makes every game different unlike a printed map. A turn consists of playing a development card, rolling the dice, collecting resource cards based on the roll and position of houses, turning in resource cards. If a 7 is rolled, the active player moves the robber to a new tile and steals resource cards from other players who have built structures adjacent to that tile. Points are accumulated by building settlements and cities, having the longest road and the largest army (from development cards), and gathering certain development cards that simply award victory points. When a player has gathered 10 points, he announces his total and claims the win.

Catan has won multiple awards and is one of the most popular games in recent history due to its amazing ability to appeal to experienced gamers as well as those new to the hobby. It is considered a modern classic and has singlehandedly brought many people into the board game industry. So if you want to teach your child or staff how to strategize resource management and have fun learning abstract concepts, Catan is a great choice!