Cold Play: Learning Across Bimatrix Games

Abstract

We study one-shot play in the set of all bimatrix games by a large population of agents. The agents never see the same game twice, but they can learn `across games' by developing solution concepts that tell them how to play new games. Each agent's individual solution concept is represented by a computer program, and natural selection is applied to derive a stochastically stable solution concept. Our aim is to develop a theory predicting how experienced agents would play in one-shot games. To use the theory, visit https://gplab.nhh.no/gamesolver.php.

Keywords: One-shot games, solution concepts, genetic programming, evolutionary stability

JEL Classification: C63, C73, C90