Evolution of protean behavior in pursuit-evasion contests

We have studied the evolution of evasion behavior in games of pursuit and evasion, with asymmetries between the pursuer and evader. The introduction of such asymmetries favors the emergence of more complex evasion strategies. With a pursuer capable of slightly higher top speed but smaller maximal acceleration than the evader, examples of complex and unpredictable (protean) behavior were found for successful evaders. In particular, some of the evaders made repeated sudden direction changes which confused the pursuer and allowed the evader to escape. Our simulation methods are described in some detail, and we also analyze and discuss the evasion strategies discovered.