Identifying the Deviator

TL;DR

This paper presents methods for detecting which player deviates from a prescribed strategy profile in a game, ensuring the target is reached only if all players follow the plan.

Contribution

It introduces new identification techniques for pinpointing deviators in strategic settings where players are expected to follow a specific profile.

Findings

Deviations can be reliably detected by an outside observer.

Constructed identification methods work in complex strategic scenarios.

The approach ensures target achievement only with compliant strategies.

Abstract

A group of players are supposed to follow a prescribed profile of strategies. If they follow this profile, they will reach a given target. We show that if the target is not reached because some player deviates, then an outside observer can identify the deviator. We also construct identification methods in two nontrivial cases.