Do we even know for certain that Microsoft is responsible? Seriously, isn't Catan still available on BSW?

The XBL system has NOTHING to fear from a little known, tiny little back water site like BSW. Most of the people that play on XBL (in america, at least) have never heard of BSW, and never will. On top of that, BSW doesn't offer:

1) Voice chat
2) Integrated friends lists and messaging
3) Achievements
4) The comfort of playing via console

At the least.

Personally speaking, I'd rather play on BSW. However, I'm a PC gamer at heart and respect the roots of german digital board gaming. Most XBL members really don't give a toss about PC gaming (i.e. their preference is console, at least). Either way, I'd take playing it table top over BSW any day.


ps: The position of experience I speak from regarding the XBL community is due to the fact I was nigh on obsessed with it till Settlers broke the spell (Mayfair version, but it was the pre-release xbox press that peaked my interest). I found my way here, fell into the arms of many new titles and have never looked back. I've got nearly 3,000 posts over at Team Xbox's forum and have had my 360 since launch (incidentally, I just had her die on me 2 days ago - but that's ok, she was collecting dust next to Puerto Rico, Caylus, Pillars of the Earth, Settlers, Arkham Horror and similar games).

Man.. board games are *soooooo* much more exciting than 95% of anything being released digitally these days (notable exceptions: Spore, Mass Effect, Fallout 3, Assassins Creed, GTA 4, bIO Shock, Half Life 2 pack).

I'd take a game of Pillars or Puerto Rico over Oblivion any day (a game I've logged over 100 hours in).