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An attractor decomposition meta-algorithm for solving parity games is given that generalises the classic McNaughton-Zielonka algorithm and its recent quasi-polynomial variants due to Parys (2019), and to Lehtinen, Schewe, and Wojtczak…
We study the model theoretic strength of various lattices that occur naturally in topology, like closed (semi-linear or semi-algebraic or convex) sets. The method is based on weak monadic second order logic and sharpens previous results by…
We consider the following modification of annihilation game called node blocking. Given a directed graph, each vertex can be occupied by at most one token. There are two types of tokens, each player can move his type of tokens. The players…
We compute the complexity of the billiard language of the regular Euclidean $N$-gons (and other families of rational lattice polygons), answering a question posed by Cassaigne-Hubert-Troubetzkoy. Our key technical result is a counting…
We introduce a one-person game that we call Padlock Solitaire which resembles the well-known clock solitaire card game. Analyzing variants of this game we obtain simple proofs of some classical results of combinatorics including ballot…
In a case study spanning four classic Super Mario games and the analysis of 237 known glitches within them, we classify a variety of weaknesses that are exploited by speedrunners to enable them to beat games quickly and in surprising ways.…
Hyperproperties generalize traditional trace properties by relating multiple execution traces rather than reasoning about individual runs in isolation. They provide a unified way to express important requirements such as information flow…
We show that the Learning with Errors (LWE) problem is classically at least as hard as standard worst-case lattice problems, even with polynomial modulus. Previously this was only known under quantum reductions. Our techniques capture the…
A linkage $\mathcal{L}$ consists of a graph $G=(V,E)$ and an edge-length function $\ell$. Deciding whether $\mathcal{L}$ can be realized as a planar straight-line embedding in $\mathbb{R}^2$ with edge length $\ell(e)$ for all $e \in E$ is…
We investigate complexity issues related to pure Nash equilibria of strategic games. We show that, even in very restrictive settings, determining whether a game has a pure Nash Equilibrium is NP-hard, while deciding whether a game has a…
Fire Emblem (FE) is a popular turn-based tactical role-playing game (TRPG) series on the Nintendo gaming consoles. This paper studies the computational complexity of a simplified version of FE (only floor tiles and wall tiles, the HP and…
Girard's Light linear logic (LLL) characterized polynomial time in the proof-as-program paradigm with a bound on cut elimination. This logic relied on a stratification principle and a "one-door" principle which were generalized later…
In this thesis, we survey techniques and results from the study of Complexity Theory and Games. We then apply these techniques to obtain new results for previously unstudied games. Our contributions in the games Hexiom, Cut the Rope, and…
In this paper we provide a case study of the use of relatively sophisticated mathematics and algorithms to redefine and adapt a simple traditional game/puzzle to exploit the computational power of smart devices. The focus here is not so…
We present a compilation of LEGO Technic parts to provide easy-to-build constructions of basic planar linkages. Some technical issues and their possible solutions are discussed. To solve questions on fine details---like deciding whether the…
We compare games under delayed control and delay games, two types of infinite games modelling asynchronicity in reactive synthesis. Our main result, the interreducibility of the existence of sure winning strategies for the protagonist,…
We investigate verification and existence problems for prominent stability concepts in hedonic games with friends, enemies, and optionally with neutrals [8, 16]. We resolve several (long-standing) open questions [4, 16, 20, 23] and show…
The class of known constraint automata for which the constrained synchronization problem is in NP all admit a special form. In this work, we take a closer look at them. We characterize a wider class of constraint automata that give…
Strong placement games (SP-games) are a class of combinatorial games whose structure allows one to describe the game via simplicial complexes. A natural question is whether well-known invariants of combinatorial games, such as "game value",…
The game of Othello is one of the world's most complex and popular games that has yet to be computationally solved. Othello has roughly ten octodecillion (10 to the 58th power) possible game records and ten octillion (10 to the 28th power)…