Player of the Decade
Mark Nougier
Ten years. Ten seasons of everyone else counting to eight victory points and stopping. A reign so long his friends had to build a website to cope with it ending.
The Citation
For a decade of dominance so complete that it required its own award, the Committee names Mark Nougier the Catan Player of the Decade, with full honors and a gentle reminder of what year it is.
Career Highlights
- Owned the 6 and the 8 like real estate. If it had five pips, Mark had a settlement on it. Possibly two.
- Turned "I've got ore" into a threat. Cities appeared. Development cards appeared. Hope disappeared.
- Made Largest Army look like a personality trait. Knights were played. The robber was moved. Feelings were hurt.
- Wrote the book on winning. Literally. See below.
- Discovered humility in 2026. Reports suggest he is still adjusting.
Acceptance Speech
"Player of the Decade is a bigger award than Player of the Year." Mark Nougier, Player of the Decade
The Committee notes this is mathematically true and emotionally irrelevant.
Hall of Fame recommended reading
If You're Not First, You're Last
Lessons in Humility After a Decade of Winning
By the Player of the Decade
If You're Not First, You're Last
Lessons in Humility After a Decade of Winning
Ten years of wins, distilled into one volume by the man who earned them. Required reading for anyone serious about Catan, and recommended for anyone curious what it sounds like when a champion learns a new word.