Authored By chloe.morrison

When John Porter opened gaming, comics and hobby shop Infinity Flux, he wanted to be a part of the community and help build on it.

As part of that effort, he’s partnering with the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga for a fundraising tournament called Catan for Critters.

Settlers of Catan is a board game that expert and amateur gamers can enjoy, Porter said.

If you go What: Catan for Critters, Settlers of Catan board game competition When: April 11-12 Where: Infinity Flux, 3643 Hixson Pike, Suite B Cost: $10 For more information: Click here

Players will have the chance to compete for prizes and the title of “Greatest Catan Player in Chattanooga” at the event.

The first round is April 11, and the winners move on to the final round April 12.

Porter said that this event fits in with his mission to help both the local board and card gaming scenes and the community in general.

All the proceeds from the event will benefit HES. Entry to the event is $10.

HES will have some animals on hand during the event.

“Many people have the incorrect perception that hobbies can largely be a waste of time, but we know that most folks into these games are generous and caring people,” Porter said via email. “It is our pleasure to provide a place and an event to bring the gaming community together for a good purpose.”

The event is officially sponsored and sanctioned by Mayfair Games and is an official Catan World Championship prequalifier.

Participants can sign up until the day of the event, but Porter said he prefers that people sign up sooner. There’s a better chance to get the time slot they want if they sign up in advance, he said.

Participants can sign up to play at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. or 8 p.m.

“Games of Catan can take an hour or two, so the idea is to avoid making people stand around all day waiting,” Porter said. “Anyone who wins will then go on to the next round, which will happen the following day, and those details will be worked out with them after their victory.”