Game Theory Video Handbook (GTVH)
This video handbook (abbreviated GTVH) provides a rigorous introduction to noncooperative game theory, whereby strategic situations are modeled in a precise mathematical formulation that focuses on the choices of individuals (called “players”) who interact. The handbook presents the basic concepts, intuition, analytical steps, and applications of game theory at a technical level that is appropriate for upper-division undergraduate students and first-year graduate students. The content here is roughly what is covered in solid upper-division undergraduate elective courses on game theory.
Although game theory is a mathematical subject, the main ideas and definitions do not require calculus, so all of the concepts are presented without calculus. Calculus is utilized for some examples; lectures with such examples have “(Calculus)” in their titles. Students in courses that do not use calculus should view all of the video lectures except those marked “(Calculus).” Students in calculus-based courses should view all of the video lectures. Videos are closed captioned.
The notation used in this handbook is conventional. The GTVH can serve as a useful complement to any well-written textbook on game theory. A particularly good match is Strategy: An Introduction to Game Theory (third edition), by Joel Watson and published by W.W. Norton and Company (New York).
The Game Theory Video Handbook was developed and is maintained by Professor Joel Watson and the University of California, San Diego. The current version is incomplete; a few planned lectures have yet to be produced but hopefully will be added soon.