Variational inequality formulation for the games with random payoffs

We consider an n-player non-cooperative game with random payoffs and continuous strategy set for each player. The random payoffs of each player are defined using a finite dimensional random vector. We formulate this problem as a chance-constrained game by defining the payoff function of each player using a chance constraint. We first consider the case where the continuous strategy set of each player does not depend on the strategies of other players. If a random vector defining the payoffs of each player follows a multivariate elliptically symmetric distribution, we show that there exists a Nash equilibrium. We characterize the set of Nash equilibria using the solution set of a variational inequality (VI) problem. Next, we consider the case where the continuous strategy set of each player is defined by a shared constraint set. In this case, we show that there exists a generalized Nash equilibrium for elliptically symmetric distributed payoffs. Under certain conditions, we characterize the set of a generalized Nash equilibria using the solution set of a VI problem. As an application, the random payoff games arising from electricity market are studied under chance-constrained game framework.     

Non-cooperative n-person game with a stopped set

A continuous time non-cooperative n-person Markov game with a stopped set is studied in this paper. We prove that, in the game process with or without discount factor, there exists an optimal stationary point of strategies, called the equilibrium point, and each player has his equilibrium stationary strategy, such that the total expected discounted or non-discounted gain are maximums.     

A fixed point characterization of the dominance-solvability of lattice games with strategic substitutes

We demonstrate that a lattice game with strategic substitutes is dominance-solvable if and only if there exists a unique fixed point of the function that results from an iteration of the best response function. This finding complements a result of Milgrom and Roberts’ (Econometrica 58:1255–1277, 1990) by which a lattice game with strategic complements is dominance-solvable if and only if there exists a unique Nash equilibrium. We illustrate our main result by an application to a model of Cournot outcome-competition.      

需求信息非对称情况下零售商最优订货问题研究

考虑需求信息非对称环境下多个存在竞争的零售商的最优订货问题,每个零售商的需求分布函数未知,传统的通过最大化期望利润来求解最优订货量的方法此时不再适用,转而应用稳健优化中使用的方法-最小化最大后悔值方法.首先给出了零售商最优订货量的一般形式.其次考虑了问题的两种特殊情形:对称博弈、两个零售商的最优订货模型,得到:对称博弈存在Nash平衡点、竞争使得零售商订货量增大、信息不对称使得零售商订货量降低并且零售商的最优订货量在一定条件下会随回收残值的增大而增大;两个零售商最优订货模型下的最优订货量的具体形式.     

On an N-person noncooperative Markov game with a metric state space

We consider a noncooperative N-person discounted Markov game with a metric state space, and define the total expected discounted gain. Under some conditions imposed on the objects in the game system, we prove that our game system has an equilibrium point and each player has his equilibrium strategy. Moreover in the case of a nondiscounted game, the total expected gain up to a finite time can be obtained, and we define the long-run expected average gain. Thus if we impose a further assumption for the objects besides the conditions in the case of the discounted game, then it is proved that the equilibrium point exists in the nondiscounted Markov game. The technique for proving the nondiscounted case is essentially to modify the objects of the game so that they become objects of a modified Markov game with a discounted factor which has an equilibrium point in addition to the equilibrium point of the discounted game.     

大博弈中Nash均衡的存在性

研究了具有任意多个局中人的非合作博弈(大博弈)中Nash均衡的存在性.将1969年Ma的截口定理推广得到新的截口定理.用这个新的截口定理进一步证明了:1)大博弈中Nash均衡的存在性;2)纯策略集为紧度量空间而且支付函数为连续函数时,连续大博弈中混合策略Nash均衡的存在性.并且存在性定理推出了2010年Salonen的结果,即此研究结果较Salonen的结论更具普遍意义.     

Game Options Analysis of the Information Role of Call Policies in Convertible Bonds

Abstract

In debt financing, existence of information asymmetry on the firm quality between the firm management and bond investors may lead to significant adverse selection costs. We develop the two-stage sequential dynamic two-person game option models to analyse the market signalling role of the callable feature in convertible bonds. We show that firms with positive private information on earning potential may signal their type to investors via the callable feature in a convertible bond. We present the variational inequalities formulation with respect to various equilibrium strategies in the two-person game option models via characterization of the optimal stopping rules adopted by the bond issuer and bondholders. The bondholders’ belief system on the firm quality may be revealed with the passage of time when the issuer follows his optimal strategy of declaring call or bankruptcy. Under separating equilibrium, the quality status of the firm is revealed so the information asymmetry game becomes a new game under complete information. To analyse pooling equilibrium, the corresponding incentive compatibility constraint is derived. We manage to deduce the sufficient conditions for the existence of signalling equilibrium of our game option model under information asymmetry. We analyse how the callable feature may lower the adverse selection costs in convertible bond financing. We show how a low-quality firm may benefit from information asymmetry and vice versa, underpricing of the value of debt issued by a high-quality firm.     

Noncooperative formation of coalitions in hedonic games

We study a bargaining procedure of coalition formation in the class of hedonic games, where players’ preferences depend solely on the coalition they belong to. We provide an example of nonexistence of a pure strategy stationary perfect equilibrium, and a necessary and sufficient condition for existence. We show that when the game is totally stable (the game and all its restrictions have a nonempty core), there always exists a no-delay equilibrium generating core outcomes. Other equilibria exhibiting delay or resulting in unstable outcomes can also exist. If the core of the hedonic game and its restrictions always consist of a single point, we show that the bargaining game admits a unique stationary perfect equilibrium, resulting in the immediate formation of the core coalition structure.     

Perfect foresight dynamics in games with linear incentives and time symmetry

This paper investigates absorption and global accessibility under perfect foresight dynamics in games with linear incentives. An action distribution in the society is absorbing if there is no equilibrium path escaping from the distribution, and globally accessible if, from every initial distribution, there exists an equilibrium path which converges to the distribution. Using time symmetry of the dynamics, we show that every absorbing strict Nash equilibrium, if it exists, is globally accessible under zero rate of time preference. With the additional assumption of supermodularity, we prove that there generically exists an absorbing strict Nash equilibrium. Relations with a global game and a reaction-diffusion model also become clear. The definition of absorption used in this paper is slightly different from the original one in Matsui and Matsuyama (1995). This difference is neglected in Sect. 1, and will be discussed in Sect. 2.2.     

Pure strategy equilibria in symmetric two-player zero-sum games

We observe that a symmetric two-player zero-sum game has a pure strategy equilibrium if and only if it is not a generalized rock-paper-scissors matrix. Moreover, we show that every finite symmetric quasiconcave two-player zero-sum game has a pure equilibrium. Further sufficient conditions for existence are provided. Our findings extend to general two-player zero-sum games using the symmetrization of zero-sum games due to von Neumann. We point out that the class of symmetric two-player zero-sum games coincides with the class of relative payoff games associated with symmetric two-player games. This allows us to derive results on the existence of finite population evolutionary stable strategies.     

One-to-many non-cooperative matching games

We study a strategic model of wage negotiations between firms and workers. First, we define the stability of an allocation in an environment where firms can employ more than one worker. Secondly, we develop a one-to-many non-cooperative matching game, which is an extension of Kamecke’s one-to-one non-cooperative matching game. The main result shows the equivalence between the stable allocations and the outcomes of the subgame equilibria in the matching game: for any stable allocation in this game there is a subgame perfect equilibrium which induces the allocation on the equilibrium path, and every subgame perfect equilibrium induces a stable allocation on the equilibrium path. Furthermore, as for the existence of a stable allocation, we argue that a stable allocation, as with a subgame perfect equilibrium, does not always exist, but it exists under some conditions, using Kelso and Crawford’s modelling.     

On equilibria in finite games

We are concerned with Nash equilibrium points forn-person games. It is proved that, given any real algebraic numberα, there exists a 3-person game with rational data which has a unique equilibrium point andα is the equilibrium payoff for some player. We also present a method which allows us to reduce an arbitraryn-person game to a 3-person one, so that a number of questions about generaln-person games can be reduced to consideration of the special 3-person case. Finally, a completely mixed game, where the equilibrium set is a manifold of dimension one, is constructed.     

Strategic bidding in continuous electricity auctions: an application to the Spanish electricity market

In this paper we introduce an asymmetric model of continuous electricity auctions with limited production capacity and bounded supply functions. The strategic bidding is studied with this model by means of an electricity market game. We prove that for every electricity market game with continuous cost functions a mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium always exists. In particular, we focus on the behavior of producers in the Spanish electricity market. We consider a very simple form for the Spanish electricity market: an oligopoly consisting just of independent hydro-electric power production units in a single wet period. We show that a pure-strategy Nash equilibrium for the Spanish electricity market game always exists.     

Stationary and nonstationary strategies in Hotelling's model of spatial competition with repeated pricing decisions

This paper examines Hotelling's model of location with linear transportation cost. Existence of pure strategy subgame perfect equilibria in the infinitely repeated price game with fixed locations is proved. These subgame perfect equilibria have a stick and carrot structure. Given firm locations, there are discount factors sufficiently high that there is a subgame perfect equilibrium with a two-phase structure. Given the discount factors, there are stationary subgame perfect equilibria for a wide range of locations. However, for some pairs of location, no symmetric simple penal code exists, all subgame perfect profiles are nonstationary, and there is only one seller in the market in infinitely many periods. Received July 1996/Final version May 1998     

Fast game dynamics coupled to slow population dynamics: A single population with hawk-dove strategies

We study a model of a population subdivided into two subpopulations corresponding to hawk and dove tactics. It is assumed that the hawk and dove individuals compete for a resource every Day, I.e., at a fast time scale. This fast part of the model is coupled to a slow part which describes the growth of the subpopulations and the long term effects of the encounters between the individuals which must fight to have an access to the resource. We aggregate the model into a single equation for the total population. It is shown that in the case of a constant game matrix, the total population grows according to a logistic curve whose τ and K parameters are related to the coefficients of the hawk-dove game matrix. Our result shows that high equilibrium density populations are mainly doves, whereas low equilibrium density populations are mainly hawks. We also study the case of a density dependent game matrix for which the gain is linearly decreasing with the total density.     

Repeated price competition with increasing marginal costs

We consider a repeated price setting game with firms facing increasing marginal costs and positive fixed costs. Besides setting prices, firms may decide to be not active. Since it is well known that there is no Nash-equilibrium in pure strategies in the stage game, we look for pure strategy equilibria in the repeated game and give a full characterization of all stationary symmetric equilibrium outcomes, supported by optimal penal codes (in pure strategies). [JEL-classification: D43, L13]     

The Hotelling bi-matrix game

We study the pure equilibrium set for a specific symmetric finite game in strategic form, referred to as the Hotelling bi-matrix game. General results that guarantee non-emptiness of this set (for all parametric values) do not seem to exist. We prove non-emptiness by determining the pure equilibrium set. In this proof so-called demi-modality properties of the conditional payoff functions play an important role.     

图象拓扑下的Ky Fan引理解集的本质连通区及其在对策论上的应用

本文在集值映射的图象拓扑意义下,证明了赋范线性空间中的Ky Fan引理的解集的本质连通区的存在性,由此得到一类对策的Nash平衡点集的本质连通区的存在性.     

AnN-person noncooperative discounted vector-valued dynamic game with a metric space

AnN-person noncooperative discounted vector-valued game with a metric space is investigated. We define aD-convex equilibrium point and prove that aD-convex equilibrium point exists in this game system. A modified version of the original game system is formulated so that an equilibrium point of the modified version is aD-convex equilibrium point of the original game system. Under appropriate conditions, the converse holds in the sense that aD-convex equilibrium point is also an equilibrium point of the modified game system.     

关于无限对策Nash平衡点集的本质连通区

证明了任意纯策略集是紧度量空间和支付函数连续的n人无限非合作对策存在 Nash平衡点集的本质连通区．