Two hunters are playing a game where they cannot communicate. They want to hunt

Question

Two hunters are playing a game where they cannot communicate. They want to hunt either a rabbit or deer so that they have enough meat to feed their families. Hunter 1 has to decide to ride to the deer hunting or rabbit hunting grounds. Hunter 2 has the same choice. Hunting a rabbit only requires 1 hunter to complete the task. Of course, a rabbit only has so much meat. The deer has more meat but is harder to hunt and requires the combined efforts of both hunters to be successful. Each hunter’s utility is represented by the matrix below.

Hunter 2

Deer

Rabbit

Hunter 1

Deer

2

2

0

1

Rabbit

1

0

1

1

a. What is/are the equilibrium/equlibria in this game?

b. What should either hunter do, assuming they are acting rationally? Explain.

Hunter 2

Deer

Rabbit

Hunter 1

Deer

2

2

0

1

Rabbit

1

0

1

1

Explanation / Answer

a.

If Hunter 1 decides to go for the Deer, Hunter 2 will also go for the Deer as that is the best returns option.

While, if Hunter 1 decides to go for the Rabbit, Hunter 2 will also go for the Rabbit as that is the best returns option.

Similarly, vice-versa.

=> There are 2 equilibria [Answer]

1. Deer + Deer

2. Rabbit + Rabbit

-----

b.

If they act rationally, they should go for Deer, knowing that the other will also act rationally and go for the best option, i.e., Deer option with Deer option.

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