Persuasion in Complex Games

We study the power of persuasion in a game where each player’s own preferences over the negotiation’s outcomes are dynamic and uncertain. Our empirical set up supports evaluating individual aspects of the persuasion and reaction strategies in controlled ways. We show how this general method gives rise to domain-specific conclusions, in our case for The Settlers of Catan: e.g., the less scope there is for persuading during the game, the more one must ensure one gains an immediate benefit from it beyond the desired trade.