Analysis and improvement attempt of prof. Alan Fowler's negotiation game

Abstract

The main goal of the following article is to design an improved version of the negotiation game created by prof. Alan Fowler (Fowler, 1997). I have tried to achieve this by constructing four separate versions of the game which represent different approaches while preserving rules, chosen basic technical assumptions and the simplicity of the base game. Each version of the game is supposed to i.a. make it less obvious, create new negotiation possibilities (including potential cooperation), widen the course of action, make the game more enjoyable for the players and implement elementary mathematical foundation to the game's root (with regard to Game Theory).

Firstly, the article presents the description and the analysis of the base game. Afterwards, the four versions are presented with the  follow-up summary and recommendations. Additionally, the article is supported by interactive Excel spreadsheet which enables the reader to have a more detailed view into the analysis and to carry out their own. Since the game has not been created as a mathematical exercise, the strictly mathematical notions are very limited and simplified to make the article reader-friendly for wider audience.