How do I simulate a prisoner's dilemma?

Open this page and use the live Auction Designer tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a prisoner's dilemma from your own measurements.

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Auction Designer for a prisoner's dilemma

Simulate a prisoner's dilemma live in your browser. This runs the real Auction Designer solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Game Theory

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Game Theory (Nash)Live

2×2 strategic games

Row player vs Column player

	Cooperate	Defect
Cooperate	3 3	0 5
Defect	5 0	1 1 Nash

cyan = row payoff · green = column payoff

Controls

A Nash equilibrium is a pair of strategies where neither player can do better by unilaterally changing — the cornerstone of game theory. In the Prisoner's Dilemma both defect even though cooperating pays more; Matching Pennies has no pure equilibrium at all. Highlighted cells are the pure-strategy Nash equilibria.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

GamePrisoner's Dilemma

Pure Nash equilibria1

Typedominant

Governing equation

((3, 3) (5, 0) (0, 5) (1, 1)), u_{i} (s_{i}^{*}, s_{- i}) \geq u_{i} (s_{i}, s_{- i})

Reading this result: The lone equilibrium has both players defect, even though mutual cooperation pays more — individually rational, collectively worse.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

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About this simulation

The full Auction Designer tool models a prisoner's dilemma with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

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Other ways to simulate a prisoner's dilemma

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Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a prisoner's dilemma?: Open this page and use the live Auction Designer tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a prisoner's dilemma from your own measurements.