Ever wonder what big movie stars and famous musicians do when they're not in the spotlight? At Boardgameshop.nl, we have the answer: they play board games and card games, just like us. In this brand-new blog series, we'll highlight a national or international celebrity with a huge passion for board games, card games, dice games, or party games. It just goes to show that the magic of a good game night is universal. Today, we're looking at actress Kristen Bell, who will undoubtedly trade the most exclusive Hollywood parties for an evening of trading resources and building villages in Catan.
Who exactly is Kristen Bell?
Kristen Bell is an exceptionally successful American actress who has been at the top of Hollywood's elite for decades. She made her breakthrough as the sharp teenage detective in the cult series Veronica Mars and later captured the hearts of millions of television viewers with her hilarious yet profound role as Eleanor Shellstrop in the acclaimed comedy series The Good PlaceYet, most people, especially families, will instantly recognize her voice from one of the biggest animated films of all time. She voices Princess Anna in the massive Disney hit Frozen. Besides her impressive acting in films like Bad Moms and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Kristen is best known for her down-to-earth, extremely likeable, and approachable personality. Along with her husband, actor and podcaster Dax Shepard, she's one of the most beloved couples in the entertainment industry. They eschew the standard glamour of Los Angeles and often reveal on social media that they prefer a comfortable night in on the couch to a fancy red carpet event.
About the game
The game Catan, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan, is perhaps the most important catalyst for the modern board game revolution. Since its release in 1995, this masterpiece by designer Klaus Teuber has completely changed the way we think about games. The game board consists of individual hexagonal tiles, meaning the island you explore looks completely different with every game. As a player, you take on the role of a colonist and try to conquer the island by cleverly building villages, cities, and extensive road networks. To do this, you need five different resources: wood, brick, wool, grain, and ore. The yield is determined by the roll of two dice, which always makes for an exciting dose of probability. What Catan What makes it so ingenious and irresistible, however, is the trading mechanism. You rarely have the exact resources you need, meaning you're constantly consulting, negotiating, and trading with your fellow players. This keeps you constantly involved in the game, even outside of your own turn. It's a brilliant mix of tactical forethought, a bit of luck, and hard-nosed negotiating skills.
The hobby and anecdotes
The love Kristen Bell has for Catan goes incredibly far and is a wonderful example of how immersive the board game hobby can be. One of the most famous and funny anecdotes occurred after the prestigious Golden Globes ceremony, where almost every celebrity streams off to the extremely exclusive after-parties full of champagne and networking opportunities (Epstein??), Kristen and her husband Dax decided they absolutely had no interest in that. They left the event early, drove straight home, and sat at the kitchen table in their expensive gala attire and tuxedos to set up their board game as quickly as possible. Photos of this moment went viral online and earned her a huge amount of sympathy from the gaming community. The couple, however, takes the game very seriously. In various interviews, they've admitted that the competition for the longest trade route or the largest force of knights is fierce in the Bell Shepard household. They always take the game with them on vacation and regularly organize small game nights with actor friends, where the friendly rivalry escalates to enormous heights.
Closing
After reading this story, does it immediately make you want to unleash your inner negotiator and build your own settlements? Gather your friends or family and discover for yourself why this strategic masterpiece keeps even the biggest Hollywood stars at the gaming table rather than on the red carpet. It's the perfect way to enjoy a fun, challenging, and screen-free evening. Check out the full range of the base game and the many fantastic expansions. Catan directly in the wide range of Boardgameshop.nl and start your own adventure on the island today.
