Cooperative Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning via Epigraph-Form Guided Exploration

Abstract:Discovering cooperative behavior in multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) is challenging due to the combinatorial complexity of joint state-action spaces, which hinders the emergence of coordinated behaviors from trial-and-error alone. Intrinsic rewards are often used to aid discovery, but naively combining them with team objectives can distort the learning signal, compromising task performance. In this paper, we propose EFXPLORER, a constrained exploration framework that maximizes exploration objectives subject to a constraint that preserves established task performance. We solve the resulting problem using an epigraph reformulation that introduces adaptive exploration budgets. This approach separates intrinsic rewards from task objectives and regulates exploration through task feasibility. To further encourage diverse and temporally extended exploration, we incorporate a successor distance-based intrinsic reward that captures long-horizon dependencies. Empirically, our method outperforms strong baselines and induces novel cooperative strategies across SMAX, VMAS, and MPE benchmark suites. Submission history Access Paper: View PDF HTML (experimental) TeX Source Additional Features Audio Summary Current browse context: References & Citations Google Scholar Semantic Scholar Bookmark Institution arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.