A non-zero-sum game is, in game theory, a situation where one decision maker's gain (or loss) does not necessarily result in the other decision makers' loss (or gain). In other words, where the winnings and losses of all players do not add up to zero and everyone can gain: a win-win game. The theory of zero-sum games is vastly different from that of non-zero-sum games because an optimal solution can always be found. Non-zero-sum games differ from zero-sum games in that there is no universally accepted solution. That is, there is no single optimal strategy that is preferable to all others, nor is there a predictable outcome.

Readings

• Non-Zero-Sum Games, stanford.edu