Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Crimson Desert
  • Pokopia
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Starfield
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Don't miss these
Graveyard Keeper
Simulation Games Giving your game away on Steam can earn you $250,000 in a few days, says Graveyard Keeper publisher
A medieval scribe focuses on her work as three cats, one being spectral, sit nearby
Simulation Games Kingdom Come Deliverance-inspired cozy game launches to great reviews: "Hans capon mentioned therefore GOTY"
Arknights: Endfield character Yvonne with pink hair
Action RPGs Arknights: Endfield dev says launching a new gacha RPG in a post-Genshin Impact world is tough
Bearded man raises shovel in one hand and holds skull in the other as zombie army backs him
Simulation Games Stardew Valley-like with dead people Graveyard Keeper is free for a few days as dev announces sequel
InZoi zois taking photos together
Simulation Games InZoi boss isn't fazed by "a few hundred thousand returns" as the 1.0 launch looms
A big hero v hero fight in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era between a Schism and Necropolis faction
Strategy Games Original Heroes of Might and Magic creator's "Fun AI" approach helps Olden Era devs balance PvE mode
The Sims 4 burglar
The Sims The Sims 4's microtransaction Marketplace has officially shown me the door after 24 years of Simming
A selection of board games laid out on a wooden table, behind a GamesRadar+ logo
Board Games Best board games 2026, with hand-picked recommendations from industry experts
Cities Skylines screenshot of a cityscape showing buildings framing roads, with skyscrapers opposite a river in the background
Strategy Games The 15 best city building games to play in 2026
AdventureQuest Worlds: Infinity characters hold up a phone, a tablet, and a laptop
MMO Games New MMO rebuilding 2008's AdventureQuest Worlds asks for $1 on Kickstarter and raises $1.6 million
Team Fortress 2 soldier holding two grenades
Action Games 25 Best free PC games to play in 2026
Cozy Stickerville box on a wooden surface
Board Games This cozy board game feels just like Stardew Valley, and it's my favorite of 2026 so far
Starsand Island
Simulation Games My biggest problem with Stardew Valley is fixed in the hottest new life sim RPG on Steam
A collection of games (Wingspan, Herd Mentality, Sushi Go, and Articulate) on a wooden table in front of a GR+ logo
Board Games The best family board games you need to play in 2026
PUBG Xeno Point boss alien attacking player
PUBG How PUBG is trying to win back the West
  1. Games
  2. Strategy Games

The Settlers Online: Castle Empire item giveaway

Features
By Greg Henninger published 9 May 2013

Free-to-play all the way

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Q&A with The Settlers Online: Castle Empire

Q&A with The Settlers Online: Castle Empire

The free-to-play model can be a tricky beast, so we sat down with the creators of The Settlers Online: Castle Empire to see how they are handling it. Once you are done reading the Q&A make sure you check out the awesome free gift we are giving away at the bottom of this page.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Could you tell us why The Settlers Online is worth checking out?

Could you tell us why The Settlers Online is worth checking out?

First of all The Settlers Online is a F2P browser game using Flash. Therefore it is super easy to sign-up and play the game directly in your browser and see for yourself if you enjoy the game. Also, The Settlers Online combines the beloved gameplay elements of the franchise and brings it online into a world with thousands of players at the same time. If you are a The Settlers veteran you will easily notice that this is no casual, watered down experience. It is a complex city-building simulation where you need to take care of the production chains, you need to battle enemies and you need to master the structure of a mediaeval town. If you are a more casual player dont worry! Thanks to the tutorial you will get easily used to all mechanics in the game. Unlike other browser games featuring a battle system in The Settlers Online you cannot lose your home island which will always be protected.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
How does your F2P model work?

How does your F2P model work?

In The Settlers Online you can achieve everything in the game without the need of spending money. This is one of the main pillars whenever we are developing a F2P game. The two main parts in TSO where you can spend money on are time-saving options and decorative items. For example: From time to time your mines will run out of resources. In order to refill them you would need to search again for deposits and build a new mine. This requires time and other resources to build the new mine. Instead of this you can also buy a refill for real money. You need to use the refill before the mine is empty.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
With so many F2P browser games out there, how do you try to grab peoples attention?

With so many F2P browser games out there, how do you try to grab peoples attention?

We believe that The Settlers Online is one of the most advanced browser games on the market in any perspective: The graphics are extremely detailed and charming, the gameplay mechanics are easy to learn but hard to master and of course the brand value is important. We stick to the Settlers formula!

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
 What audience are you targeting with The Settlers Online?

What audience are you targeting with The Settlers Online?

From the experience weve already gathered we know that The Settlers Online is played by a quiet mixed audience. We have core strategy players who have played a The Settlers game before. We have typical casual players who look for a more deep gaming experience that feels new and does not require penetrating your friends on social networks. Nonetheless, players who want to are able to buff friends, chat with them or team up in guilds.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Platforms
Greg Henninger
Greg Henninger
Community Manager for Gamesradar
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Here is everything that is included with your free gift!

400 Pinewood planks
Essential for the ambitious builder - these are used to build basic structures

400 stones
A necessity for a new player - these are used to build basic structures

Article continues below
You may like
  • Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era key art showing a knight charging across a field, with a dragon swooping in the distance Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is leveraging player feedback to deliver the strategy RPG I've longed for since 2005
  • Graveyard Keeper 2 art with skull with dollar sign eyes A 100% discount on Steam is way better than a regular giveaway, indie boss says
  • Team Fortress 2 soldier holding two grenades 25 Best free PC games to play in 2026

100 tools
Tools are required for nearly all structures; a new player can never have enough

20 Settlers
You can’t build an empire without people to live and work there! These settlers will build structures, dig mines, and complete the production chains required for a successful empire

100 gems
You can use these in the game to speed up the time required to build a structure or complete a task, or buy fun decorative items for your city

All you have to do is click the link under the image and it can all be yours!

The Settlers Online: Castle Empire Item Giveaway

Read more
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era key art showing a knight charging across a field, with a dragon swooping in the distance
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is leveraging player feedback to deliver the strategy RPG I've longed for since 2005
 
 
Graveyard Keeper 2 art with skull with dollar sign eyes
Simulation Games A 100% discount on Steam is way better than a regular giveaway, indie boss says
 
 
Team Fortress 2 soldier holding two grenades
Action Games 25 Best free PC games to play in 2026
 
 
Masters of Albion artwork showing a man stood beneath a giant spectral hand in the sky, with a thriving village on one side and zombies on the other
City Builder Games Masters of Albion lets you play god, but Peter Molyneux proves benevolence is optional by feeding his followers rats
 
 
Graveyard Keeper
Simulation Games Giving your game away on Steam can earn you $250,000 in a few days, says Graveyard Keeper publisher
 
 
The Elder Scrolls Online seasonal content promotional images
The Elder Scrolls As an Elder Scrolls Online veteran, I'm worried its new seasonal model could kill my favorite MMORPG
 
 
Latest in Strategy Games
Three of the Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era Skills.
Strategy Games Best Heroes Olden Era Skills and how to reach elite class
 
 
Whispering Stones, where Heroes can increase their maximum mana in Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era.
Strategy Games How to increase your mana in Heroes Olden Era
 
 
A big hero v hero fight in Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era between a Schism and Necropolis faction
Strategy Games Original Heroes of Might and Magic creator's "Fun AI" approach helps Olden Era devs balance PvE mode
 
 
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
Strategy Games Strategy fans have spoken – Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era's fae faction has been renamed after "not meeting expectations"
 
 
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era key art showing a knight charging across a field, with a dragon swooping in the distance
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is leveraging player feedback to deliver the strategy RPG I've longed for since 2005
 
 
Princess Leia in Star Wars: Rebellion
Strategy Games Disney delists 14 Steam games without warning, including a Star Wars strategy game whose scale has never been duplicated
 
 
Latest in Features
Mouse: P.I. For Hire screenshot featuring an enemy melting down to their skeleton
FPS Games Mouse: P.I. For Hire is great for a couple hours, fine for several more, and then a long exhausting exercise
 
 
Tomodachi Living The Dream
Simulation Games I love Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, but having no Switch 2 version is a mistake
 
 
A man on a red motorbike during one of the best sci-fi movies ever made, Akira.
Anime Movies As Akira heads back to the big screen, the anime masterpiece hasn't lost any impact almost 40 years later
 
 
The Big Preview frame for Star Wars: Galactic Racer, showing space ships flying through a white space
Racing Games Star Wars: Galactic Racer – The Big Preview
 
 
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era key art showing a knight charging across a field, with a dragon swooping in the distance
Strategy Games Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is leveraging player feedback to deliver the strategy RPG I've longed for since 2005
 
 
A collection of board and card games laid out on a wooden table
Board Games These are the best travel board games to take with you on vacation in 2026
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Two Cities of Sigmar Grenadiers painted by Will Salmon.
    1
    Warhammer: Spearhead – City of Ash review - "If you've never played Spearhead before and want an easy way into the game, then – finally – this is it"
  2. 2
    Baldur's Gate 3 was canceled at Obsidian "because of an accounting error," says former dev
  3. 3
    Pragmata is already one of the best-rated Capcom games on Steam, just 3% behind king of kings Resident Evil 4
  4. 4
    Halo dev fights "devs hate Halo" theories: "No one works a 60- or 80-hour week out of spite"
  5. 5
    Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima is "not running out of ideas anytime soon," Higgs actor says

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...