The objective of the game is to build up a colony with a thriving construction and mining industry, food, tool and weapon production. The player's skilful use of resources, combined with the irrepressible get-up-and-go of the diverse Settler characters, forms the foundation for a robust colony.

Ensure the settlement becomes more attractive and it could be a paradise, if it were not for the neighbouring races and ...Morbus, with his evil machinations!

All Settlers are actually peace-loving folks, but then there is always that annoying neighbour that occupies the land with those large deposits of gold or sends long-fingered brethren over to swipe your freshly harvested crops.

This can cause the industrious Settlers to engage in magnificent battles on land and at sea, battles where the outcome will depend less on the number of troops but more on skilful tactics and well-organized strategy.

The most substantial changes in THE SETTLERS?IV are:

Incredibly detailed graphics in which the characters, buildings and landscapes take on a new level of quality! The improved zoom function makes viewing even the smallest details a new pleasure!

The "Dark Tribe", as a completely new game element. This element fuses the construction component and strategic elements of The Settlers more closely together!

A multitude of new features in the areas of construction, strategy, multiplayer and Internet play!