subgame
Game within game
A subgame is a portion of a larger game that itself constitutes a complete game, beginning from a specific decision point and containing all subsequent moves.
The term appears primarily in game theory, where subgame perfect equilibrium describes strategies that remain optimal at every possible decision point, not just at the start.
In video gaming, subgame refers to a minigame or secondary game embedded within a larger one: The fishing subgame was more addictive than the main quest.
Splitting into separate directions
- nestedContained within another
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- terminalAt the endpoint
- predecessorOne who came first
successor · singleton · history · path · stage · truncation · subtree
Occurring in succession
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- refinementElegance of manner
- continuationAct of proceeding further
- deviationDeparture from expected path
Conditional or representative group
- inducementMotivating factor or offer
- restrictionLimit on action
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
Balanced gains and losses
- non-cooperativeRefusing joint effort
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
- dynamicActive and changing
- refinementElegance of manner
branching
Splitting into separate directions
predecessor · successor · singleton · history · path · stage · truncation · subtree
sequential
Occurring in succession
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- refinementElegance of manner
- continuationAct of proceeding further
contingent
Conditional or representative group
- inducementMotivating factor or offer
- restrictionLimit on action
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
zero-sum
Balanced gains and losses
- non-cooperativeRefusing joint effort
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
- dynamicActive and changing