Prisoner's Dilemma

Creative Coding | Website Development | Comics & Animation

Nature of Code Course Project | 2023

Research: Literature Review, Usability Testing

Tools: p5.js, Figma, Sketchbook, Procreate, FlipaClip

This project is an interactive comic website about the introductory example of Game Theory - Prinsoner's Dilemma. It promotes a new interactive visualization for the Game Theory. Targeting at popularizing and visualizing the obscure concept of Game Theory, it utilizes generative model, comics, and storytelling to provide audiences with an intuitive and interactive learning experience.

This project innovates in using particle systems and force rules in p5.js to visualize the decision making process in Game Theory. It presents the potential of generative art to transcend traditional visualization, offering an interactive way for users to engage with and comprehend complex theoretical frameworks.

Inspiration

Interested in Game Theory, I found that examples and visualization are crucial for students to understand the concept. The current two ways of visualizing the logic of Game Theory are the Game Tree and Payoff Matrix, which are not straightforward and interactive enough (at least for me). Then I found an interactive website teaching Game Theory by Nicky Case.

I love the way Nicky uses video games and complete graphs for illustration, and I want to create intuitive storytelling using my knowledge of particle systems in p5.js (Nature of Code by Daniel Shiffman) to visualize a basic example of the Prisoner Dilemma.

Particle System Visualization

Concept

Imagine the Prisoner's Dilemma as a dynamic game, represented by a Payoff Matrix with two particles, each symbolizing the decision-making process of a prisoner (A and B). The game has two distinct scenarios reflecting isolated and cooperative decision-making.