Game Theory Talk – Into Games YouTube Channel

Key Highlights:​

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• Introduction to Game Theory:
  I introduced game theory by defining its role in analysing player decisions and their impacts on game outcomes. I also connected game theory’s relevance to various disciplines, including game design, UX, and AI development.

• Core Principles of Game Theory:
  Covered foundational principles such as:

  • Players: Decision-makers, whether human players in multiplayer games or AI in single-player experiences.

  • Strategies: Choices players make, from engaging or retreating to resource management.

  • Payoffs: Outcomes of player choices, often based on risk vs. reward scenarios in games.
     

• Practical Applications in Game Design:
  Demonstrated how game theory informs game mechanics, level design, and multiplayer balance:

  • Explained how game theory concepts apply across genres, from RPGs like Final Fantasy 7 to multiplayer shooters like Doom 2.

  • Discussed how these principles help designers create dynamic, player-driven experiences.
     

• Nash Equilibrium:
  Defined Nash Equilibrium and explored its application in balancing decision-making in games, particularly in turn-based combat systems like Final Fantasy 7, where both players and AI settle into stable strategies until a major shift occurs.

• Zero-Sum Games and Competitive Design:
  
  Discussed the design of zero-sum games, where one player's gain equals another player's loss. Showcased its use in competitive multiplayer modes like Doom 2, where every player action directly impacts opponents.
   

• Non-Zero-Sum Games and Cooperative Design:
  Covered the opposite concept, non-zero-sum games, which are the foundation of cooperative game design, with a focus on titles like Ghost of Tsushima. Emphasized how teamwork allows players to succeed without penalizing others.
  Dominant Strategies:
  
  Game Examples:

  • Final Fantasy 7: Turn-based combat as an example of Nash Equilibrium.

  • Doom 2: Resource competition and zero-sum dynamics in deathmatch mode.

  • Resident Evil 3: Nemesis: Balancing risk and reward with dominant strategies.

  • Ghost of Tsushima: Multiple paths to success in a non-zero-sum environment.
     

• Analyzed the concept of dominant strategies and how avoiding them ensures varied gameplay experiences. Provided examples from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and Cora's Adventure on how encouraging multiple viable strategies adds depth to replayability.
   

• Highlighted real-world applications of game theory in notable games:
   

• Audience Engagement:
  Integrated interactive audience questions throughout, prompting viewers to reflect on their own gaming experiences, such as:

  • "Have you ever played a game where your decisions truly affected the outcome?"

  • "Have you ever had to choose between playing it safe or taking a big risk for a greater reward?"
     

• Q&A Session:
  After the talk, I hosted a Q&A session, fielding questions on game theory's broader applications beyond games, including its relevance in economics, decision-making models, and user experience design.