An infinite game is one with known and unknown players, changeable rules, and no end. The objective is not to win—the objective is to keep playing.

The Infinite Game is the latest of Simon’s published works and is both a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. It dives into and expands upon Dr. James Carse’s Finite and Infinite Games, particularly in how game theory pertains to business.

In finite games, like football or chess, the players are known, the rules are fixed, and the endpoint is clear. The winners and losers are easily identified.

In infinite games, like business or politics or life itself, the players come and go, the rules are changeable, and there is no defined endpoint.