Extortion can outperform generosity in the iterated prisoner’s dilemma

Abstract

The zero-determinant (ZD) strategies discovered by Press and Dyson overturned several decades of consensus about the iterated prisoner's dilemma. Here, the authors provide the first empirical evidence in support of Press and Dyson’s theory, by showing that knowledge of the opponent and the length of the interaction can facilitate the Generous and Extortionate ZD strategies as predicted.