LEARN THE LOGIC OF STRATEGY
What is game theory?
A rigorous yet accessible introduction to strategic decisions, incentives, cooperation and conflict — through the people who shaped the field.
THE PRISONER’S DILEMMA
A two-player game. Each cell lists A’s and B’s payoffs.
| A ↓ / B → | Cooperate | Defect |
|---|---|---|
| Cooperate | 3, 3 | 0, 5 |
| Defect | 5, 0 | 1, 1 |
Defect/Defect is a Nash equilibrium, despite mutual cooperation being better for both.
IN THIS ATLAS
What is game theory?
Game theory examines strategic interdependence: the outcome of one decision depends on the strategies, information and expectations of others. Its mathematical foundations support research in economics, psychology, political science and computer science—from markets and bargaining to international relations and multi-agent AI.
Read the interdisciplinary academic guide →
Three ideas. Endless applications.
Game theory studies decisions whose outcomes depend on other people’s choices.
01
Players & strategies
Who decides, and what can they choose?
02
Incentives & payoffs
Which results does each player prefer?
03
Equilibrium & cooperation
When does no one benefit by changing alone?
FOUNDATIONAL THINKERS
The pioneers who changed how we think.
CONTEMPORARY THINKERS
From classical theory to modern research.
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Tim Roughgarden ↗
Algorithmic game theory
Anna Bogomolnaia ↗
Fair division · Matching
Nicole Immorlica ↗
Networks · Market design
Yiling Chen ↗
Prediction markets
Christian Kroer ↗
Large-scale game solving
Itai Ashlagi ↗
Matching markets
Josué Ortega ↗
School choice · Matching
Brendan Lucier ↗
Auctions · Strategic platforms
Understand the science behind strategy.
Evidence-based explanations, original sources and concise biographies.
FEATURED INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Research at the intersection of intelligence, AI and property decisions
Explore Çağdaş İNAL’s applied game-theory programme: nine research models spanning intelligence production, generative AI source selection and RE-GAME 360 real-estate decisions. Model statuses and limitations are stated explicitly.
Research and learning tools
THREE CENTRES · ONE RESEARCH ATLAS
Learn the theory, analyse strategic decisions and trace research to its sources.