non-zero-sum game

A non-zero-sum game is a situation where the total benefit or payoff is not fixed—meaning, one participant’s gain isn’t necessarily at the expense of another’s. In these scenarios, players can both win or both lose, and collaboration or compromise may lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. Unlike zero-sum games—where one person's gain equals another's loss—non-zero-sum games involve complex interactions where cooperation, negotiation, or strategic decision-making can increase total gains or reduce losses for all parties.