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Prisoner's Dilemma
OpenGames using
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Median complexity
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0–5
Median rating
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bayes
Tabletop fit
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weight-controlled
Definition
From BoardGameGeek
Each player has a choice between Cooperating or Defecting. Total payoff is maximized if both players Cooperate, but if one Defects and the other Cooperates, the Defector will score more individual points.
Top games using this mechanism
By BGG bayes rating, top 50.
| Game | Year | Rating | Wt | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood on the Clocktower#68 | 2022 | 7.71 | 3.0 | 120m |
| Cosmic Encounter#229 | 2008 | 7.31 | 2.6 | 120m |
| Diplomacy#873 | 1959 | 6.72 | 3.3 | 360m |
| Cosmic Encounter: 42nd Anniversary Edition#1137 | 2018 | 6.58 | 2.5 | 120m |
| Tiny Epic Kingdoms#1981 | 2014 | 6.27 | 2.1 | 45m |
| Kinfire Council#3366 | 2025 | 5.97 | 3.3 | 120m |
| Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne#3950 | 2016 | 5.89 | 2.7 | 60m |
| Dead Last#4440 | 2016 | 5.83 | 1.2 | 60m |
| Zombie in My Pocket#4792 | 2007 | 5.80 | 1.3 | 5m |
| Gateway Island#5058 | 2022 | 5.78 | 1.9 | 45m |
| Four Humours#5778 | 2022 | 5.73 | 2.2 | 60m |
| HMS Dolores#5919 | 2016 | 5.72 | 1.3 | 20m |
| The Alpha#6227 | 2020 | 5.70 | 1.4 | 45m |
| Guild Master#6236 | 2020 | 5.70 | 2.9 | 120m |
| Swords and Bagpipes#8480 | 2014 | 5.62 | 2.2 | 45m |
| We're Sinking!#8887 | 2024 | 5.61 | 2.3 | 90m |
| Sons of Faeriell#9050 | 2022 | 5.61 | 3.7 | 120m |
| Floating Floors#11270 | 2023 | 5.57 | 2.0 | 40m |
| A Pirate's Word#11566 | 2025 | 5.57 | 2.0 | 30m |
| The Potion#12269 | 2018 | 5.56 | 1.1 | 20m |
| Zombie in My Pocket#12466 | 2010 | 5.56 | 1.4 | 30m |
| Outrun the Bear#12631 | 2023 | 5.55 | 1.5 | 45m |
| Gangster's Dilemma#16277 | 2020 | 5.53 | 1.8 | 45m |
| Samurai Vassal#17613 | 2018 | 5.53 | 1.4 | 20m |
| Avalon: The Riven Veil#19190 | 2026 | 5.52 | 3.3 | 120m |
| Among Thieves#19273 | 2019 | 5.52 | 1.4 | 45m |
| Age of the Moon#21706 | 2025 | 5.51 | 2.0 | 120m |
| Energy Apex#21849 | 2023 | 5.51 | 1.3 | 40m |
| Petal Plotters#21976 | 2024 | 5.51 | 2.0 | 20m |
| Smiles & Daggers#23873 | 2018 | 5.51 | 1.5 | 30m |
| NFL Game Day#25682 | 2013 | 5.50 | 1.3 | — |
| Foxpaw#30398 | 2025 | 5.35 | 2.9 | 90m |
| Diplomacy: The Golden Blade | 2026 | 0.00 | 1.0 | 105m |
Frequently combined with
Other mechanisms that show up in the same games. Click to drill in.