Settlers of Catan on MS Surface is brilliant

Here is video of the special version of Settlers of Catan built for Microsoft Surface systems. Brilliant user interface stuff at work here and, while not the same as playing on a real board (and nothing like my awesome set), not having to set up and tear down actual board games is the thing that draws me towards digital versions of my favorite tabletop past-times.

Then I think about how impractical it would be to own a Surface. I can see the most practical use as a kitchen table in a breakfast nook, a place to read the paper and have a cup of coffee. But apart from a minor daily use like that, I just can’t imagine actually trying to use one enough to justify the expense.

This is really neat and I hope I someday stay in a hotel where I can play this because they have a Surface in the lobby. That’s about the extent to which I’m willing to fantasize about such things.