Catch-Up: A Game in Which the Lead Alternates

Isaksen, Aaron and Ismail, Mehmet and Brams, Steven J. and Nealen, Andy (2015): Catch-Up: A Game in Which the Lead Alternates. Published in: Game & Puzzle Design , Vol. 1, No. 2 (30 December 2015): pp. 38-49.

Abstract

Catch-Up is a two-player game in which the players' scores remain close throughout the game, making the eventual winner -- if there is one -- hard to predict. Because neither player can build up an insurmountable lead, its play creates tension and drama, even between players of different skill. We show how the game is played, demonstrate that its simple rules lead to complex game dynamics, analyse some of its most important properties, and discuss possible extensions. (This paper was published at the Game & Puzzle Design in 2015, and it was uploaded onto MPRA for archival purposes.)

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Non-cooperative games, Catch-Up game
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C7 - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C7 - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory > C72 - Noncooperative Games

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