“Twitch Plays Catan” while Schwab compares gameplay to real-life resource management

Schwab is out to show Twitch viewers that they can develop positive financial habits in a fun and gamified way. With an event called Twitch Plays Catan, the investment firm is pitting influencers against one another in the titular, hexagonal game world — and it’s dispensing some money management tips along the way.

The Twitch Plays Catan tournament, a two-day affair that runs from September 9-10, fits into a tabletop gaming niche that has been relevant on Twitch since the platform’s early days. We’ve seen popular series centered around role-playing games, chess, and other popular tabletop titles, but the Catan category has been comparatively quiet.

30 years into the German game’s existence, it’s due for a glow-up. To that end, Schwab is borrowing the format of a similar gaming gauntlet: PogChamps. Like in that series, which pits streamers against each other on the chessboard, Twitch Plays Catan features a mix of celebrities (like actor Khleo Thomas), creators (Twitch streamer Lunity), and athletes (Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith). There will be eight players in total, though only one will be dubbed the “ultimate Catan champion.”

The event’s name also references the Twitch Plays genre, in which viewers use chat messages to impact gameplay decisions. Twitch Plays Catan won’t be as chaotic as a typical crowdsourced stream, but the tournament will include some audience participation. Via Twitch chat, viewers will advise their favorite players as they consider in-game decisions like resource trades and settlement placements.

As if a mix of PogChamps and Twitch Plays Pokemon wasn’t ambitious enough on its own, Schwab is also leaning into the world of financial creators. Gen Z consumers have indicated that they see social media platforms

as go-to sources for advice on money matters, and brands have leveraged that phenomenon by partnering with Twitch streamers. As Schwab’s Catan tournament plays out, the brand’s financial experts will draw links between the game’s resource management elements and real-world spending habits. I can’t wait to see which inefficient real-world assets get compared to Catan’s infamous sheep cards.

Michael Iachini, the Head of Manager Research at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, will host the event. “I think a lot of investors out there will be interested,” Iachini said in a statement. “And of course, I think a ton of gamers will check out this event when it comes up. I’m just so excited.”

Brand involvement has helped spur a revival of the web series format, especially in the world of finance. With that trend in mind, Schwab is taking a big swing. It is looking to produce a piece of sponsored content that revives a beloved pastime, capitalizes on the appeal of tabletop gaming, and offers salient financial advice, all at the same time. If you want to see how that combination plays out, head to the Twitch Plays Catan homepage starting at 6 PM ET on the two days of the tournament.