PS2 Catan to be distributed for free

Capcom has announced that its digitized version of the German board game Settlers of Catan will be the first game to be released for free on the PlayStation 2 in Japan. However, the game is dedicated to online play, and it will require a monthly service charge and the PlayStation 2 Network Adaptor. Capcom plans to begin its beta test of Catan in May, and it hopes to start charging for the service this summer. The software will be distributed through retailers and magazines. Capcom also has plans to release Catan on the PC at a later date.

We'll post more information as it becomes available.