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Game Theory Basics
12 units
Interactive
Business & Management

Game Theory Basics

12 hours 1 12 Units Certificate in 7 languages Unlimited access Mobile compatible
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Course is free · Certificate from 55 $

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What is Game Theory Basics?

Game Theory Basics Training

The Game Theory Basics certificate program provides a rigorous yet accessible introduction to the strategic decision-making framework that underpins economics, politics, biology, and artificial intelligence. Designed for professionals, students, and curious minds with no prior background, this course transforms abstract concepts into practical tools for analyzing competitive and cooperative scenarios. By the end, participants will confidently model interactions, predict outcomes, and design strategies using game-theoretic reasoning in their own fields.

The program unfolds through a carefully sequenced journey, starting with foundational principles and progressing to advanced topics like Bayesian games, auctions, and evolutionary dynamics. Each lesson blends theoretical clarity with real-world case studies, ensuring that learners build four core skill areas: strategic reasoning, equilibrium analysis, information handling, and mechanism design. With the growing reliance on data-driven decision-making and algorithmic competition, mastering these skills now positions you to navigate complex negotiations, market design, and policy challenges with a decisive edge.

What is Game Theory Basics?

Game theory is the mathematical study of strategic interaction among rational decision-makers, where each player's outcome depends on the choices of others. Its core concepts include players, strategies, payoffs, and information structures, which are used to analyze situations ranging from simple two-person dilemmas to multi-agent systems. The discipline formalizes how individuals or organizations optimize their decisions in environments of conflict and cooperation, providing a universal language for understanding interdependent choice.

Today, game theory is more relevant than ever, powering everything from auction design in digital advertising and spectrum allocation to the development of robust AI agents in multi-agent reinforcement learning. It informs public policy on climate agreements, cybersecurity, and voting systems, while also shaping corporate strategy in pricing, supply chains, and competitive positioning. Recent advances in behavioral game theory and evolutionary dynamics have expanded its reach into psychology and biology, making it a living, evolving field that adapts to new challenges.

Mastering game theory builds a versatile skill stack that includes logical deduction, probabilistic thinking, and strategic foresight—abilities that are invaluable in negotiation, management, consulting, and research. Professionals in economics, data science, law, and engineering benefit directly, as do entrepreneurs and policymakers who must anticipate reactions and design incentives. Beyond professional contexts, this knowledge sharpens everyday decision-making, enabling you to recognize strategic traps and leverage cooperation in personal and community settings.

Common Questions About Game Theory Basics

Is Game Theory Basics suitable for someone with no game theory knowledge?
Yes, it is designed for complete beginners with no prior background. The course starts with foundational concepts like players, strategies, and payoffs, then builds up to more advanced topics. You will learn through practical examples and clear explanations.
Which industries value the Game Theory Basics certificate?
Game theory is valued across many industries, including economics, politics, biology, and artificial intelligence. The certificate serves as a reference for your CV, and employers can verify it online with a validation code. Since the course is free and fully online, it is accessible to anyone.
How do I find a Nash equilibrium in a payoff matrix?
To find a Nash equilibrium in a payoff matrix, you identify each player's best response to the other's strategy and look for cells where both are best responses. Here are the steps:
  • Step 1: For each row, mark the column that gives the row player the highest payoff for that column.
  • Step 2: For each column, mark the row that gives the column player the highest payoff for that row.
  • Step 3: Any cell where both marks appear is a Nash equilibrium.
This method works for pure strategies; for mixed strategies, you solve for probabilities that make opponents indifferent.
What are the steps of the backward induction algorithm?
The backward induction algorithm is used in extensive form games to find subgame perfect equilibria. The steps are:
  1. Identify the last decision nodes in the game tree.
  2. For each last node, determine the optimal action for the player who moves there, based on their payoffs.
  3. Replace that node with the payoff resulting from that optimal action, effectively pruning the branch.
  4. Move backward to the previous decision nodes and repeat the process, always choosing the action that maximizes the player's payoff given the future optimal play.
  5. Continue until you reach the initial node.
This yields a strategy profile that is optimal at every subgame.
How do I compute expected payoff in mixed strategies?
To compute expected payoff in mixed strategies, you multiply the probability of each pure strategy by its payoff and sum the results. For a player using a mixed strategy, the expected payoff is the weighted average of the payoffs from each pure strategy, where the weights are the probabilities assigned. For example, if you play strategy A with probability p and strategy B with probability 1-p, your expected payoff is p times the payoff of A plus (1-p) times the payoff of B. This calculation is essential for finding mixed-strategy Nash equilibria, where each player's probabilities make the opponent indifferent between their own strategies.
How does the discount factor affect cooperation in repeated games?
The discount factor measures how much a player values future payoffs compared to present ones. In repeated games, a high discount factor (close to 1) means players care a lot about future outcomes, which makes cooperation more sustainable because the long-term benefits of cooperating outweigh the short-term gains from defecting. Conversely, a low discount factor makes defection more tempting, as players prioritize immediate rewards. This is why cooperation is more likely when players value the future highly.
Is game theory only used in economics?
No, game theory is not only used in economics. It is applied in politics, biology, artificial intelligence, and many other fields. For instance, evolutionary game theory models how strategies spread in populations, and signaling games explain phenomena like education and advertising.

What Will This Course Bring You?

  • Analyze strategic situations using the fundamental concepts of game theory including players, strategies, and payoffs.
  • Identify and eliminate strictly dominated strategies in normal form games to simplify strategic analysis.
  • Compute pure-strategy Nash equilibria in finite normal form games and interpret their stability.
  • Apply mixed strategy randomization to find equilibria in games lacking pure strategy solutions.
  • Solve extensive form games using backward induction to determine subgame perfect equilibria.
  • Evaluate how repeated interactions sustain cooperation using trigger strategies and the Folk Theorem.
  • Design Bayesian games to model incomplete information and compute Bayesian Nash equilibria.
  • Compare auction formats and apply revenue equivalence to design optimal auction mechanisms.

Curriculum

12 Units
01

1. Foundations of Game Theory

1 hour

02

2. Normal Form Games and Dominance

1 hour

03

3. Nash Equilibrium

1 hour

04

4. Mixed Strategies and Existence

1 hour

05

5. Extensive Form Games and Backward Induction

1 hour

06

6. Repeated Games and Cooperation

1 hour

07

7. Bayesian Games and Incomplete Information

1 hour

08

8. Signaling and Screening

1 hour

09

9. Auctions and Mechanism Design

1 hour

10

10. Cooperative Games and Bargaining

1 hour

11

11. Evolutionary Game Theory

1 hour

12

12. Applications and Frontiers

1 hour

Exam – Game Theory Basics

20 Questions • 70% Pass • 30 min

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Exam – Game Theory Basics

20 Questions • Pass: 70% • 30 min

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Course Duration

720

Total Minutes

12

Unit

1

Final Exam

~60

Min / Unit

Game Theory Basics Certificate Program

Document Your Skill

Those who pass the 20-question, 30-minute exam with 70% receive the Game Theory Basics Certificate.

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Sample Game Theory Basics Certificate
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CERTIFICATE FEE

110 $ 55 $
Certificate Details

At the end of the course, an online exam consisting of 20 questions with a 30-minute time limit is given. The exam appears automatically after you complete the topics. Anyone who scores at least 70 out of 100 on the certificate exam is awarded the Game Theory Basics Document (certificate of attendance). You can add the certificate you earn to your CV for job applications in the many sectors listed above, and use it as a reference proving that you took this interactive course.

The Certificate of Achievement you receive with the Game Theory Basics course program holds value that proves your personal and professional development in the business world. By adding it to your CV, it can serve as an important reference in your job applications. Moreover, compared with certificates from other private training institutions, Catch Wisdom certificates are offered to our participants at a much more affordable price.

Because HR departments recognize Catch Wisdom as a reputable institution in this field, they value these certificates and may evaluate your job applications favorably. For this reason, a Game Theory Basics course certificate from Catch Wisdom can make your applications more attractive and place you in an advantageous position in the business world.

For more information, we recommend visiting the Support page.

Certificate in 7 Languages

Earning success certificates from our courses is now more meaningful and global. With certificates available in Turkish, English, German, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Russian, we fully unlock the potential of students worldwide.

Why Certificate in 7 Languages?

  1. 01

    Global Skill Development

    Receiving your certificates in 7 different languages strengthens your communication skills as you engage with more people worldwide. It lets you operate more confidently and capably on the international stage.

  2. 02

    International Job Opportunities

    Employers may see your certificates in multiple languages as a sign of your ability to seize global opportunities. You can open more doors to new jobs and projects.

  3. 03

    Cultural Richness

    The chance to earn certificates in different languages helps you build closer ties with various cultures and broadens your worldview. It enriches your global perspective and deepens cultural understanding.

  4. 04

    Ability to Participate in International Projects

    Multilingual certificates give you an edge to work more effectively on international projects. They boost your chances of leadership and participation in diverse projects in the business world.

  5. 05

    Prove Yourself on the Global Stage

    Certificates in multiple languages let you showcase your skills and knowledge worldwide. You can become an internationally recognized professional.

Language diversity opens worldwide opportunities. If you want to prove yourself in the international arena, join our online Game Theory Basics course program and begin this journey with us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is this course paid?
No, all courses on Catch Wisdom are completely free to join. We believe education should be accessible to everyone.
How do I join the course?
After creating an account, you can join in one click with the "Start Course" button and begin immediately from the first unit.
Can I take the course at my own pace?
Yes, all courses are designed for self-paced learning. There are no deadlines or time limits.
How can I get my certificate?
After completing the course and passing the final exam, you can order your certificate and instantly download it as PDF.
What are the advantages of the Certified Certificate?
With instant PDF access, validity in 7 languages, a digital signature, and a unique verification code, your certificate becomes a professional reference in job applications.

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