MovieChat Forums > WarGames (1983) Discussion > You can win at Tic-Tac-Toe

You can win at Tic-Tac-Toe

posted 10 years ago by cryofry
6 replies | jump to latest

I've both won and lost at the game. It isn't "un-winnable".

"It looks a bit sweaty in there so you may need to apply baby powder" Zapp Brannigan

[–] imdbuser83492834 10 years ago

If you play tic-tac-toe against another person who knows how to play, or even a computer program (which is programmed correctly - i.e. not one that just places random moves) then tic-tac-toe is completely "un-winnable". For example, the first computer version that was perfect, meaning the game would never ever lose to it's opponent was written in 1952. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tic-tac-toe

I don't remember the actual line in WarGames, but they weren't saying that there is never ever a winner in tic-tac-toe, but rather that if two people/one computer one person or two computers play each other, there will never ever be a winner if the goal of both players is to draw rather than lose.

The whole point of tic-tac-toe in this movie was that it was a very simple game, where the computer could easily play using random moves to begin with, and then "learn" from the results and then eventually never lose. A very crude example of AI.

[–] Lady_Elaine_Fairchild 9 years ago

is the word you are looking for...

Stalemate?

[–] budikavlan 10 years ago

Besides, they didn't say it was "unwinnable." The line in the film says it's always a tie, which is true, assuming neither player is a moron. Things we still use based on Tic-Tac-Toe have to have an additional element, usually that the right to play has to be earned by doing something else (such as Tic Tac Dough and the Hollywood Squares).

[–] Zach126 9 years ago

Actually..... after Ally Sheedy says the game is boring and always a tie, Falken does say "Exactly! There's no way to win. The game itself is pointless."

In reality, it can be won but only if you're playing someone who isn't very skilled or you just get lucky. Most of the time it is indeed boring and almost always a tie. Which is what the filmmakers were going for.

[–] Druff 10 years ago

It's definitely possible to win if you play against a stupid person.

...like me. =(

[–] GoodSOVeryVeryGood 7 years ago

I've both won and lost at the game. It isn't "un-winnable".

No - only "winnable" if you play an unskilled opponent, or someone who has "lost the game" … most stop this at age 8 or so. They figure it out - no one wins - stalemate.