Mittenullsummamänge

Mittenullsummamänge, a German term translating to "middle zero-sum games," refers to a specific category of games within game theory where the sum of payoffs for all players is not necessarily zero, but rather centered around zero. This means that while one player's gain might not be another player's exact loss, the overall distribution of gains and losses tends to balance out around a central point of zero.

Unlike strictly zero-sum games where the total outcome is always zero, mittenullsummamänge allow for scenarios where all players can win, all players can lose, or a mix of both, but the average outcome across all players is zero. This concept is often applied to situations where players are cooperating to some extent or where the game's structure inherently leads to a neutral aggregate result.

The analysis of mittenullsummamänge involves looking at expected payoffs and strategies that aim to achieve the best possible outcome given the potential for collective gain or loss. These games are relevant in economic models, political science, and other fields where interactive decision-making with distributed outcomes is studied. The "middle" aspect highlights the equilibrium point or average expectation of the game's results.