If the winner could be determined by a simpler computation, you would be running that computation instead [...]
Well, that’s the point. Usually it can be, and often we’re not. There’s a big drive towards virtualising combat behaviour in nature. Deer snort at each other, sea lions bellow—and so on: signalling who is going to win without actually fighting. Humans do the same thing with national sports—and with companies—where a virtual creature dies, and the people mostly walk away. But we are still near the beginning of the curve. There are still many fights, and a lot of damage done. Huge improvements in this area could be made.
Well, that’s the point. Usually it can be, and often we’re not. There’s a big drive towards virtualising combat behaviour in nature. Deer snort at each other, sea lions bellow—and so on: signalling who is going to win without actually fighting. Humans do the same thing with national sports—and with companies—where a virtual creature dies, and the people mostly walk away. But we are still near the beginning of the curve. There are still many fights, and a lot of damage done. Huge improvements in this area could be made.