# Interdependent network reciprocity in evolutionary games

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1308.1947 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1308.1947/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 8 Aug 2013.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [An Evolutionary Computation Framework for Multi-Agent Q-Learning with Mean-Field Environmental Feedback](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.13253/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Besides the structure of interactions within networks, also the interactions between networks are of the outmost importance. We therefore study the outcome of the public goods game on two interdependent networks that are connected by means of a utility function, which determines how payoffs on both networks jointly influence the success of players in each individual network. We show that an unbiased coupling allows the spontaneous emergence of interdependent network reciprocity, which is capable to maintain healthy levels of public cooperation even in extremely adverse conditions. The mechanism, however, requires simultaneous formation of correlated cooperator clusters on both networks. If this does not emerge or if the coordination process is disturbed, network reciprocity fails, resulting in the total collapse of cooperation. Network interdependence can thus be exploited effectively to promote cooperation past the limits imposed by isolated networks, but only if the coordination between the interdependent networks is not disturbed.