How to Prevent Players from Teaming Up in Free-for-all Games: The Importance of Initial Contact

Abstract

It has often been reported that gamers temporarily team up with their enemies in games that prohibit teaming in pursuit of accomplishing the final objective of the game. This behavior, referred to as “teaming”, is frequently observed in free-for-all games and spoils the enjoyment of other players. The current study analyzed data from an iterated economic game with a payoff structure and player constraints similar to those of free-for-all games. Results indicated that cooperative behaviors equivalent to teaming behavior emerged when cooperative intent between participants was successfully signaled and attended in the early stages of the game. Suggestions are made based on these findings which aim to prevent teaming behavior observed in free-for-all games.