Game theory, or interactive decision theory, is the study of how and why decisions are made between multiple parties. Game theory has applications in various areas of study like political science, economics, philosophy, ethics, and biology. The discipline of game theory attempts to map out the decision-making process for scenarios with multiple variables. You can think of game theory as a study of negotiation. The decision-makers in game theory can be individuals or groups, such as governments.

Why learn game theory?

Game theory sounds like it applies to sports or board games, but it's really about strategic decision making. Whether you're looking to benefit your career with better negotiation skills or you want to make better decisions in your personal life, game theory can help you analyze and understand the variables that are involved in the scenarios you face. Learning the ins and outs of game theory allows you to simulate the possible outcomes of different decisions, which can help you figure out how to make the best decisions for yourself or your business interests.

How does game theory affect my career?

You can use game theory to approach different decision-making scenarios strategically. You can apply the principles of game theory to purchasing and other transactions, and you can use them in real estate negotiations and investment decisions. Game theory even works when you're negotiating a salary increase or benefits package for your own career. Applying game theory to any of your interactive decisions can help you gain an advantage in any scenario that involves negotiating.

How can online courses help me learn game theory?

If you're new to game theory or if you have some experience with it, you can benefit from online courses on Coursera. You'll receive instruction from some of the best professors in the academic world, and they allow you to grasp both the concepts and practical applications that game theory offers. Through online courses, you'll have the opportunity to gain confident knowledge of game theory that you'll be able to apply to your career and personal pursuits.

What are the benefits of taking an online Game Theory course?

Online Game Theory courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Game Theory skills. Choose from a wide range of Game Theory courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Game Theory courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Game Theory, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Game Theory Courses - Learn Game Theory Online

Explore the Game Theory Course Catalog

Erasmus University Rotterdam
Introduction to Economic Theories
Skills you'll gain: Consumer Behaviour, Financial Market, Economics, Market Analysis, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Public Policies, Environmental Issue, International Finance, Socioeconomics, Supply And Demand, Behavioral Economics, Decision Making
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
355 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
Competitive Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Business Strategy, Game Theory, Strategic Thinking, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Partnership, Product Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Market Dynamics, New Product Development, Market Analysis, Innovation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Model Thinking
Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Modeling, Systems Thinking, Innovation, Behavioral Economics, Analysis, Strategic Decision-Making, Social Studies, Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Trend Analysis, Economics, Critical Thinking, Probability, Market Analysis, Human Learning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Stanford University
Organizational Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Organizational Structure, Decision Making, Organizational Leadership, Organizational Change, Professional Networking, Strategic Decision-Making, Business, Social Sciences, Culture, Sociology, Analysis, Resource Management, Leadership, Learning Theory
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Probability Theory: Foundation for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Probability, Probability Distribution, Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Data Science, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Inference, Descriptive Statistics
Build toward a degree
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
247 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
California Institute of the Arts
Introduction to Game Design
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Conceptual Design, Ideation, User Story, Storyboarding, Content Creation, Design, Experience Design, Creativity, Interaction Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
National Taiwan University
商管研究中的賽局分析（一）：通路選擇、合約制定與共享經濟 (Game Theoretic Analysis for Business Research (1))
Skills you'll gain: Inventory Management System, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Research, Business Strategy, Game Theory, Competitive Analysis, Supply Chain Management, Business Modeling, Market Dynamics, Strategic Partnership, Business Mathematics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
45 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Columbia University
Economics of Money and Banking
Skills you'll gain: International Finance, Derivatives, Financial Systems, Balance Sheet, Financial Market, Payment Systems, Banking, Capital Markets, Financial Trading, Economics, Market Liquidity, Financial Regulation, Finance, Credit Risk
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Mixed · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Vanderbilt University
Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Timelines, Liberal Arts, Writing, Multimedia, Student Engagement, Content Creation, Media and Communications, Interactive Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
197 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Johns Hopkins University
The Mathematics of Democracy, Politics and Manipulation
Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Policy Analysis, Social Studies, Social Sciences, Public Policies, Game Theory, Demography, Mathematical Modeling, Research, Applied Mathematics, Geometry
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Basic Game Development using Scratch
Skills you'll gain: Event-Driven Programming, Debugging, Programming Principles, Algorithms, Computer Programming Tools, Computer Programming, Program Development, Interactive Design, Integrated Development Environments, Software Development Tools, Computer Science
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Michigan State University
Game Design and Development 3: 3D Shooter
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, Software Design, Program Development, 3D Modeling, Design, Technical Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer Graphics, Microsoft Visual Studio, Usability Testing, Computer Graphic Techniques, Computer Programming, C# (Programming Language), Software Development, Scripting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
64 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks