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Algorithm for Computing Approximate Nash Equilibrium in Continuous Games with Application to Continuous Blotto

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  • Sam Ganzfried

Abstract

Successful algorithms have been developed for computing Nash equilibrium in a variety of finite game classes. However, solving continuous games -- in which the pure strategy space is (potentially uncountably) infinite -- is far more challenging. Nonetheless, many real-world domains have continuous action spaces, e.g., where actions refer to an amount of time, money, or other resource that is naturally modeled as being real-valued as opposed to integral. We present a new algorithm for {approximating} Nash equilibrium strategies in continuous games. In addition to two-player zero-sum games, our algorithm also applies to multiplayer games and games with imperfect information. We experiment with our algorithm on a continuous imperfect-information Blotto game, in which two players distribute resources over multiple battlefields. Blotto games have frequently been used to model national security scenarios and have also been applied to electoral competition and auction theory. Experiments show that our algorithm is able to quickly compute close approximations of Nash equilibrium strategies for this game.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam Ganzfried, 2020. "Algorithm for Computing Approximate Nash Equilibrium in Continuous Games with Application to Continuous Blotto," Papers 2006.07443, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2021.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2006.07443
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kovenock, Dan & Roberson, Brian, 2011. "A Blotto game with multi-dimensional incomplete information," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 113(3), pages 273-275.
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    3. Alexander Matros, 2007. "A Blotto Game with Incomplete Information," Working Paper 332, Department of Economics, University of Pittsburgh, revised Jul 2009.
    4. Brian Roberson, 2006. "The Colonel Blotto game," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 29(1), pages 1-24, September.
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    7. Adamo, Tim & Matros, Alexander, 2009. "A Blotto game with Incomplete Information," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 105(1), pages 100-102, October.
    8. Sam Ganzfried, 2020. "Empirical Analysis of Fictitious Play for Nash Equilibrium Computation in Multiplayer Games," Papers 2001.11165, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2024.
    9. Drew Fudenberg & David K. Levine, 1998. "The Theory of Learning in Games," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262061945, April.
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    4. Louis Abraham, 2023. "A Game of Competition for Risk," Working Papers hal-04112160, HAL.

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