A Game Tree is a graphical representation of the possible moves in a strategic game, illustrating the various outcomes based on players' decisions. Each node in the tree represents a game state, while the edges represent the possible moves that can be made from that state. The root node signifies the initial state of the game, and as players take turns making decisions, the tree branches out into various nodes, each representing a subsequent game state.
In two-player games, we often differentiate between the players by labeling nodes as either max (the player trying to maximize their score) or min (the player trying to minimize the opponent's score). The evaluation of the game tree can be performed using algorithms like minimax, which helps in determining the optimal strategy by backtracking from the leaf nodes (end states) to the root. Overall, game trees are crucial in fields such as artificial intelligence and game theory, where they facilitate the analysis of complex decision-making scenarios.
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