Played over time

Question

Hi.What does it mean that:Many games, however, are played over time: some player or set of players moves first, other players observe the choice(s) made, and then they respond, perhaps according to a predetermined order of governing who moves when.?Thanks in advance

Deadrat · Accepted Answer

This is from a book about game theory, a mathematical field that includes more than an analysis of games in the sense of card games.  The phrase "over time" describes what are called dynamic games, in which players may modify their play by observing what other players do.  Most card games are dynamic games.  There are other games in which players choose strategies without the input of other players' moves.  For example, rock-paper-scissors.

Soheil1 · Answer

Means the game takes a period of time?
Or that is has a period of time?
Or that the game is played withing a period of time?
Or that each player has a time limit?
Or anything else?

Why is "time" mentioned here?
Is it that other games have no time limit for each player?

Deadrat · Answer

The text you're reading is a technical one about a mathematical field called "game theory," which is the study of strategic planning among a group of people facing a common situation. Card games, board games, and field games -- the things we think of when we say "playing a game" -- are simple examples in the theory. But the word "game" here has a broader meaning, for example, also applying to business rivals trying to dominate a market sector.

In each "game," each participant faces a common set of rules. In the card game bridge, you have to follow suit if you can. In business, you have to follow the tax code. Each participant has his own situation. The bridge player has the hand he's dealt; the businessman has a budget. Each participant has to figure out what to do that's in his best interest. The bridge player has to figure out what cards to lead so as to win as many tricks as possible. The businessman must figure out how much money to spend and on what so as to make the maximum amount of profit.

Some games have rules that let the participants figure out a strategy at the beginning without regard to the other players. But most interesting games require that participants change their strategy based on what the others do. In bridge, the cards you play from your current hand will depend on what your opponents have played in the last hand. In business, you will decide to spend money partly based on what your competitors have spent money on. "Over time" means that players don't know their best strategic move when the game starts; they have to decide on moves as the game progresses depending on what other players do.

Since the theory is talking about abstract games, don't think of literal time periods or time limits. Does a player know his best move at the start or does he have to wait to see other players' moves? If he has to wait, then his strategy develops "over time."

Played over time

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