Studio Merkas and KOSMOS in the world of CATAN
A creative partnership for innovative explainer videos
A Joint Project with Major Impact
At Studio Merkas, we are always striving to combine creative and technical excellence to deliver tailor-made solutions for our clients. That’s why we’re excited to present an exciting collaboration with the renowned game company KOSMOS, which gave us the opportunity to showcase our expertise in animation and video production.
Logo of the KOSMOS Tutorial App.
The KOSMOS crew is famously talented at creating exciting analog games, but something more people should really know is that KOSMOS also offers a wide range of educational and entertaining quiz and assistant apps. One app in particular never fails to impress us: the KOSMOS Tutorial App!
Created with great attention to detail, this app provides a rich selection of tutorials for KOSMOS games, both visually and audibly, leaving no room for confusion or unanswered questions. These tutorials guide players through the gameplay with ease, so there's no need to even open a rulebook. We think it’s fantastic that all these tutorials are available in such a clear and compact format, just one tap away on mobile devices.
For one especially iconic game, the Tutorial App team reached out to Studio Merkas for support.
For: Catan – The Game
The most successful board game of the past 30 years, with an impressive number of expansions, is now part of our mission. With such a legendary title in our hands, our motivation and creative drive were higher than ever.
- Location:Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg
- Service:Animation of tutorial videos in Unity
- Timeline:3 months
- Client:Franckh-KOSMOS Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG
A Steady Collaboration
After two successful animation projects since 2023, it was only a matter of time before the teams from KOSMOS and Studio Merkas would dive into another exciting project together. But when we at Studio Merkas heard which tutorial would be the focus of our next collaboration, the excitement in the studio was immediate and joyful.
As always, it was a great pleasure to see familiar faces from KOSMOS in our regular meetings. With each project, the KOSMOS crew has grown closer to our hearts. Like a well-oiled machine, we got straight to work and immersed ourselves in the content.
We communicated and collaborated on a high level, and we moved forward faster than ever before. That’s what defines this truly great synergy.
CATAN Tutorial – Previous Version in the Tutorial App
CATAN Tutorial – Previous Version in the Tutorial App
The Creative Process: From Concept to Execution
The creative process began with close coordination between our team and the experts at KOSMOS. The client provided us with 3D scenes and assets, which we used to develop tutorial sequences that are both educationally valuable and visually engaging.
Next, we conceptualized each scene and brought it to life using state-of-the-art animation software. A variety of techniques were applied to make the content dynamic and easy to understand:
Motion Graphics: For smooth transitions and explanatory visuals
Icon Animations: To clearly illustrate complex functions
Color and Design: Aligned with the KOSMOS brand identity to ensure a consistent look
The entire process was defined by close collaboration and continuous feedback, ensuring that the final product met the high standards of both teams.
Working on the New CATAN Tutorials in Unity – Perspective 1
Working on the New CATAN Tutorials in Unity – Perspective 2
Working on the New CATAN Tutorials in Unity – Perspective 3
The Result: An Engaging and Easy-to-Follow Tutorial Video
The completion of the project went smoothly and was highly time-efficient. Both of our teams were very pleased to have successfully wrapped up another collaboration. The final video stands out with its clear structure, appealing animations, and easy-to-understand narration. It manages to convey complex content in a simple way, guiding users effectively through the app’s features. The feedback from KOSMOS was consistently positive, and we’re proud to have contributed to this innovative project.
Of course, there was also a slightly bittersweet feeling knowing that the project was coming to an end, along with the enriching time we spent working so closely with the KOSMOS team. But that feeling won’t last long, because we’re confident that new adventures await our two teams very soon.
We thank KOSMOS for the trust they placed in us and look forward to future projects where we can bring our passion for animation and video production to life. Our goal remains to create innovative solutions that inform and inspire.
A game setup of Catan – The Game
The card holders and an impressive scenery
Time to let the dice do the talking!
Blue wins the game!
Outlook: More Creative Partnerships in the Future
This collaboration with KOSMOS on the tutorial videos for CATAN in the explainer app once again highlights how valuable creative partnerships are for successfully bringing innovative products to life. At Studio Merkas, we rely on a combination of technical expertise, creative design, and close collaboration to fulfill the individual needs of our clients.
Competent implementation of our animation project, friendly contact, and flexible adjustment to our needs. Working with Studio Merkas was a lot of fun. (Translated)
Niklas WankDigital Product Designer at KOSMOS
Questions?
Thank you for your interest in our project. We would love to hear from you if you have any questions, concerns or the like about our game development project. Your feedback is important to us and we appreciate any input, so please don't hesitate to contact us!
By answering all your questions, we also want to make sure that you have enough insight into our game development process to get a clear picture of how we work. Transparency makes it easier for us to work together on an equal footing. Otherwise, feel free to take a look at our FAQ section. We thank you for your interest in our project and look forward to hearing from you soon!
