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On the Geometry of Games and their Solvers

arXiv 2605.29919 ↗First posted 28 May 2026cs.AI cs.MAcited by 0

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Abstract (arXiv)

A central challenge in game theory and learning systems such as GANs is understanding which algorithms can efficiently compute equilibria across the heterogeneous landscape of games. Equilibrium computation is typically studied solver by solver and game class by game class, yielding strong local guarantees but a fragmented view of solver behaviour. Existing discrete taxonomies often provide an incomplete account of where algorithms succeed. We study this problem through a solver-game map linking games to effective solver dynamics. Classical theory identifies isolated regions of this map but provides limited insight into intermediate or overlapping regimes, suggesting that solvability is governed by latent structural properties defining a continuous solver-aligned geometry of games. We formalise this perspective through structure-aware solver synthesis. A learned structure recogniser maps each game to a low-dimensional solver-aligned representation, and a policy maps this representation to effective primitive mechanisms, adapting solver behaviour across regimes. This reveals regions where particular solver dynamics are effective and where mixtures of primitives are required rather than a single dominant solver. A bounded residual acts as a local corrector and diagnostic signal for incomplete solver bases or representations. The framework yields both an adaptive solver and an analytical lens: games with similar optimisation dynamics cluster together, revealing continuous regions of algorithmic validity and overlapping solver behaviour. Empirically, we show that fixed primitives exhibit systematic regime mismatch, while the learned representation organises game space into a structured cartography aligned with solver behaviour. These results suggest viewing equilibrium computation as the joint problem of learning solver mechanisms and mapping the geometry of solvability.

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References · 12

  1. 2015Trust Region Policy Optimizationcited by 2,580
  2. 2016Learning to learn by gradient descent by gradient descentcited by 620
  3. 2017Training GANs with Optimismcited by 217
  4. 2018A Variational Inequality Perspective on Generative Adversarial Networkscited by 144
  5. 2019A Unified Analysis of Extra-gradient and Optimistic Gradient Methods for Saddle Point Problems: Proximal Point Approachcited by 143
  6. 2018The Mechanics of n-Player Differentiable Gamescited by 118
  7. 2018The Limit Points of (Optimistic) Gradient Descent in Min-Max Optimizationcited by 101
  8. 2020Game-Theoretic Multiagent Reinforcement Learningcited by 94
  9. 2020Adaptive extra-gradient methods for min-max optimization and gamescited by 30
  10. 2021On the Complexity of Computing Markov Perfect Equilibrium in General-Sum Stochastic Gamescited by 19
  11. 2023A survey on algorithms for Nash equilibria in finite normal-form gamescited by 3
  12. 2022On the Convergence of Fictitious Play: A Decomposition Approachcited by 2

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