Definition:Zero-Sum Game/Non-Zero

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Definition

A non-zero-sum game is a game in which the total of the payoffs to all players is dependent upon the moves made to reach those payoffs.


Examples

Examples of non-zero-sum games include:


Trade

Two parties trading: both may simultaneously gain by a transaction.

It can be assumed that the buyer attaches a value to goods purchased which is higher than the price paid.

At the same time, the price paid to the vendor can also be assumed to be higher than the value, to the vendor, of those goods.

Thus, at the end of this transaction, both parties have a positive payoff.


Naval Warfare

The loss of a particular ship may cause a setback of considerably greater value to the enemy than the cost of the materiel used by the attacker to destroy it.


Also known as

A non-zero-sum game can also be seen presented as nonzero-sum game.


Also see

  • Results about non-zero-sum games can be found here.


Sources